On 12 February 1524 Alvarado's Mexican allies were ambushed in the pass and driven back by K'iche'warriors but the Spanish cavalry charge that followed scattered the K'iche' and the army crossed to the city of Xelaju (modern Quetzaltenango) only to find it deserted.
On 12 February 1524 Alvarado's Mexican allies were ambushed in the pass and driven back by K'iche'warriors but the Spanish cavalry charge that followed was a shock for the K'iche', who had never before seen horses. The cavalry scattered the K'iche' and the army crossed to the city of Xelaju (modern Quetzaltenango) only to find it deserted.