A LIBRARY
FOR
MY YOUNG COUNTRYMEN.
EDITED BY
THE AUTHOR OF “UNCLE PHILIP’S CONVERSATIONS.”
VOLUME IV.
ADVENTURES OF HERNAN CORTES.
THE
ADVENTURES
OF THE
CONQUEROR OF MEXICO
[Illustration: colophon]
By the Author of
“Uncle Philip’s Conversations”
NEW YORK
D. Appleton & Company 200 Broadway.
THE
ADVENTURES
OF
HERNAN CORTES,
THE
CONQUEROR OF MEXICO.
BY
THE AUTHOR OF “UNCLE PHILIP’S CONVERSATIONS.”
NEW YORK:
D. APPLETON & CO., 200 BROADWAY.
PHILADELPHIA:
GEORGE S. APPLETON, 148 CHESTNUT ST.
MDCCCXLIII.
Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1843,
BY D. APPLETON & CO.,
in the Clerk’s Office of the District Court of the United States,
for the Southern District of New York.
STEREOTYPED BY REDFIELD & SAVAGE,
_13 Chambers Street, New York_.
NOTE.
The writer of this volume has thought it best not to encumber a book
written for the young, with references to authorities. He owes it to
himself, however, to say, that he believes he has made no statement for
which authority may not readily be produced.
To any older readers, who may possibly glance at the volume, he would
remark, that he is indebted for his materials principally to Antonio de
Herrera, Bernal Diaz, Antonio de Solis, Torquemada, Clavigero, Don
Telesforo de Trueba y Cosio, Venegas, the letters of Hernan Cortes, the
English historian Robertson, and our own lamented countryman, R. C.
Sands, Esq.
TO
THOSE OF MY YOUNG COUNTRYMEN,
WHO ARE DISPOSED TO GATHER FROM THE PAGES OF
HISTORY, A STORY OF REAL LIFE, STRANGER
THAN ANY TALE OF ROMANCE,
This Volume
IS AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED,
BY THE AUTHOR.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
Birth and parentage of Hernan Cortes--His early boyhood--At the
age of fourteen he is sent to the University of Salamanca--Proves
lazy, and returns home--Leaves his books, and takes to
field-sports--Disappointment of his father--Passion of young Cortes
for military life--Determines to join the great captain Gonzalo in
the wars of Italy, but is disappointed--Resolves to accompany his
kinsman Ovando to Hispaniola, but is prevented by an accident--At
length reaches Hispaniola in 1504--Kindness of Ovando--Restlessness
of Cortes--His third disappointment--Accompanies Diego Velasquez in
his conquest of Cuba--Imprudence of Cortes--Expedition of Hernandez
de Cordova and Juan de Grijalva--Discoveries of Grijalva--Excitement
among the Spaniards--Cortes manages to get command of an expedition
for the continent--Jealousy of Velasquez--Attempts to stop him at
Trinidad and Havana--Enthusiasm among the followers of Cortes Page 13
CHAPTER II.
Cortes arrives at Cozumel--Imprudence of Alvarado--Discovery of
Geronimo de Aguilar--his wretched condition--The fleet reaches
Tabasco--Hostility of the natives--Cortes offers to treat with
them; they refuse--Notwithstanding their opposition, he makes his
landing--Defeats them on the great plain of Ceutla--Receives Doña
Marina as a present--He erects a cross upon the plain--The fleet
sails for St. Juan de Ulua--Reaches that harbor--Kindness of the
natives--Interview with Teutchlile, their chief--Demands that he
may see the Emperor Montezuma, and sends presents to him--Alarm
of Montezuma--He refuses to see the strangers, but sends presents
to them--Cortes again demands to see him--Anger and fear of the
Emperor--Commands Cortes to leave his empire, yet sends him further
presents.....31
CHAPTER III.
Teutchlile arrives at the Spanish camp with the commands of
Montezuma--Finds Cortes in the midst of difficulties with his
men--Leaves the camp angry--Murmurs of the men--Management of
Cortes--Commences the settlement of Villa Rica de la Vera Cruz--Quiets
the complaints of the discontented--The Cacique of Chempoalla invites
him to visit him--Cortes accepts the invitation--Interview between
them--The settlement is removed to Quiabislan--Friendship of the
Caciques of Chempoalla and Quiabislan--The tax-gatherers of Montezuma
arrive--Cortes arrests them--The Totonacas become his friends--Visits
the Cincapacingas--Makes friends of them--Imprudence of Cortes in
the temple of Chempoalla--Sends messengers with presents to the King
of Spain--Plot of Escudero and Centeno to stop them--They are put
to death--Cortes destroys his fleet, and prepares to march toward
Mexico--Arrival of Alonzo de Pineda upon the coast--Stratagem of
Cortes--Sets out on his march--Passes Xalapan, Socachema, and Texotla,
and arrives at Xocotlan--Interview with the Cacique--Determines to
pursue his journey through the province of Tlascala.....46
CHAPTER IV.
Cortes enters the Tlascalan territory--Character of the people--Wars
with the Tlascalans--Cortes subdues them--They become his
allies--Marches to Cholula--Conspiracy and awful massacre of the
Cholulans.....64
CHAPTER V.
Cortes sends messengers to Montezuma, and leaves Cholula--Alarm
of Montezuma--The Spaniards reach the summit of Ithualco, and
see the valley of Mexico--Montezuma retires to the palace of
Tlillancalmecatl to mourn and pray--Sends his nephew Cacamatzin to
dissuade Cortes from entering his city--Cortes crosses the causeway of
Iztapalapan--Meets Montezuma--His splendid appearance--Enters Mexico,
and makes his quarters at the palace of Axajacatl--Montezuma visits
him--Cortes returns the visit--By his permission, visits the great
market-place, the temple, &c.--Is disgusted in the temple--Anger of
Montezuma--Suspicions of the Tlascalans--Death of Escalante--Treachery
of the nobles--Cortes resolves to seize Montezuma--Enters his palace,
and carries him away to the Spanish quarters.....83
CHAPTER VI.
Montezuma becomes satisfied at the Spanish quarters--Arrival of
Quauhpopoca--He is delivered to Cortes--His confession--Is tried,
and condemned to die--Montezuma is fettered, and Quauhpopoca
burnt--Revolt of Cacamatzin, the lord of Tezcuco--He is made a
prisoner--Cortes persuades Montezuma to swear allegiance to the King
of Spain--and to send him a present of gold and silver--The nobles
are roused--Montezuma orders Cortes to leave the country--allows him
time to build ships for his departure--Arrival of Pamphilo de Narvaez
with eighteen ships--Cortes is ordered again to leave--His joy and
disappointment--Treachery of Montejo--Anger of Velasquez--Endeavors
to make a friend of Narvaez--Sends him messages and presents--Narvaez
proves stubborn--Cortes leaves one hundred and fifty men with Alvarado
at Mexico, and marches to Chempoalla--Attacks him at midnight and
makes him a prisoner--The soldiers of Narvaez gladly enlist under
him.....102
CHAPTER VII.
Insurrection of the Mexicans in the capital--Struggles of
Cortes--Death of Montezuma--Awful conflict in the temple--The
Spaniards retreat from Mexico--Dreadful massacre on the causeway of
Tacuba--Cortes escapes with the remnant of his army to the temple of
Otoncalpolco--Determines to go to Tlascala.....120
CHAPTER VIII.
Battle of Otompan--Victory of the Spaniards--Cortes reaches
Tlascala--Kindness of the Tlascalans--The soldiers of Narvaez
murmur--Cortes receives unexpected reinforcements--The murmurers
are sent home--He despatches messengers to Spain, Hispaniola, and
Jamaica--Orders ship-timbers to be cut in the Tlascalan forests--Makes
his head-quarters at Tezcuco--Death of Cuitlahuitzin--Guatimozin
is made King of Mexico--Cortes attacks the cities Iztapalapan,
Chalco, and Tlalmamalco--Sandoval reduces Zoltepec--The timbers
for the brigantines are brought to Tezcuco--Xaltocan and Tacuba
are reduced--Guatimozin refuses terms of peace--Quauhnahuac and
Xochimilco are attacked--Narrow escape of Cortes--Conspiracy of
Villafaña--Courage and address of Cortes--The brigantines are
launched.....140
CHAPTER IX.
The siege of Mexico is commenced--Dreadful massacre of the Spaniards
on the causeways--Narrow escape of Cortes--Frightful festival of
the Mexicans in the temple--Their cunning--Prudence of Cortes--The
siege is renewed--Message to Guatimozin--His scornful answer--The
Spaniards enter the capital--The last quarter is besieged--Guatimozin
is made prisoner--The capital reduced--Disappointed avarice of the
Spaniards--Guatimozin is put to the torture--Cortes snatches him from
his tormentors--Death of the Mexican King--Conquest of the distant
provinces--Enmity of the Bishop of Burgos toward Cortes--Rebuilding of
the capital--Cortes liberates Narvaez.....157
CHAPTER X.
Revolt in Panuco--Intrigues in Spain against Cortes--His friends
support him--The King makes him Captain-General and Governor of New
Spain--His great popularity--Arrival of Garay--Imprudence of his
men--Slaughter of the Panuchese--The Bishop of Burgos and Narvaez
continue their intrigues--Treachery and death of Christoval de
Olid--March of Cortes to Honduras--The King issues a commission to
investigate his conduct--Fidelity of the soldiers of Cortes--He
embarks for Spain--Death of Sandoval--Reception of Cortes at the
Spanish court--He returns to Mexico disappointed--Difficulties
with the Audiencia--Embarks in new adventures--Discovery of
California--Fails in his plans--Returns to Spain--Ingratitude of
the King--Scornful treatment of the ministers--Death of Cortes--His
remains are taken to Mexico.....174
THE
ADVENTURES OF HERNAN CORTES.
CHAPTER I.
WHO has not heard of that daring and fiery Spaniard, Hernan Cortes, the
Conqueror of Mexico? The story of his exploits is as wild as a fable,
and were it not now a well-known part of the history of Mexico, could
scarcely be believed. To those of my young fellow-citizens who may be
ignorant of his career, I offer the history of this remarkable man.
If you will look upon a map of Spain, in the province of Estremadura,
you will find the small town of Medellin. At this place, in the year
1485, Hernan Cortes was born of poor but respectable parents. His
parents (Don Martin Cortes de Monroy and Doña Catalina Pizarro de
Altamirano) were of noble descent, had been once rich, but were now
reduced. Whatever others may think, I consider it fortunate that young
Cortes was born poor. Had he been the child of a rich man, he might have
been reared in the midst of foolish luxuries and indulgences, led a life
of idle dissipation, and proved utterly worthless: as it was, his
poverty forced him to make exertions and to struggle with the world.
Poverty helped him, as it has helped many others; it taught him to rely
upon his own energies. It was particularly fortunate in his case; for
his natural temperament, as you will see, was just such as to ruin him,
had he been born to a rich inheritance.
Of the earliest years of his boyhood I can tell you nothing, except that
he was a warm-hearted, sprightly, and intelligent lad, admired and
beloved by all who knew him. At the age of fourteen he gave such promise
of future usefulness, that his father determined he should have the
advantage of an education, to fit him for the study of the law. Young
Cortes was sent, therefore, at this time, to the celebrated University
of Salamanca. Here, for the first time, he disappointed the expectations
of his friends. His ardent and restless nature could not well bear the
close industry and confinement of college life, and boys of inferior
parts outstripped him in his studies. At the end of two years, I am
sorry to say that he was worse than lazy. He was now so weary of his
situation, that he became the leader of many wild and mischievous
irregularities--so much so, that more than once he came near being
expelled from the University. At length, to the great sorrow of his
father, he left Salamanca, and returned to Medellin. Here, laying aside
all books, he devoted himself to active and manly sports, and made
himself skilful in horsemanship and the use of arms.
For some time he continued in this career, and being, unfortunately as
it proved at the time, a boy of fine appearance, amiable disposition,
and engaging manners, he brought about him many companions, and launched
with them into many dissipations. His father was now very miserable. Far
from dreaming that his son would ever reach honor or distinction, he
feared that he was in a fair way to prove a worthless and unhappy man.
One hope, however, was still left him. The boy had a passion for
military life, and sighed for daring adventures as a soldier. This
passion was carefully cultivated by the father, and in a little time,
when an occasion presented itself, young Cortes showed that he was fully
alive to it. The “Great Captain” Gonzalo de Cordova was adding to his
fame in the wars in Italy, and crowds of Spanish youth were eager to
flock to his standard. Among the rest was Hernan Cortes. Numbers
enlisted, but when they were about starting on their march to join
Cordova at Naples, young Cortes was suddenly seized with sickness, and
thereby kept at home. This was a sad disappointment to the boy, as well
as his father.
Another opportunity for adventure, however, soon offered, with fairer
prospects for Cortes. Don Nicolas de Ovando, his kinsman, had been
appointed the Governor of Hispaniola, and Don Martin supposed that,
under the patronage of this kinsman, a fair field was opened before his
son in the New World. Young Cortes now forgot his disappointment, and
set his heart upon accompanying Don Nicolas. Great preparations were
making for transporting the new Governor to his dominions; and, as he
watched the progress, his desires were the more inflamed. Thirty-two
ships were soon ready, and twenty-five hundred persons (many of them
people of rank) were about embarking as settlers for the new colony. But
when all was ready, Cortes was again prevented from being one of the
number. This disappointment was brought about by his own folly and
rashness. It seems that he had formed an attachment for a lady at
Medellin, and on a dark night, before the ships set sail, was trying to
reach the window of her chamber. In doing this, he had to scramble over
an old wall, which unfortunately gave way under him, and he was severely
injured by the fall. The ships, therefore, sailed without him, leaving
young Cortes sick and sorrowful, and his father deeply mortified.
At length, having slowly recovered, his father once more turned his
thoughts toward the New World. Young Cortes still burned with the desire
to join his kinsman Don Nicolas; and all being made ready accordingly,
he left Medellin, and arrived safely at Saint Domingo, in the year 1504.
Ovando welcomed him cordially, receiving him like his own son. He at
once fixed him in places of distinction and profit, and seemed in every
way determined to push his fortunes. Notwithstanding this, Cortes was
restless, and in a little time panting for a wider field, where he might
earn, as he thought, fame and glory. He was better satisfied when a
circumstance occurred, which he thought opened that field. Two
Spaniards, Ojeda and Nicuesa, had determined upon an expedition for the
purpose of making discoveries and settlements upon the main land of
America. Cortes heartily joined them in this enterprise, laboring with
diligence to make all things ready. But when, at length, all was ready,
his companions departed, leaving him too sick to undertake the voyage.
He was now very miserable over this third disappointment, but
afterwards, when he learned the result of that expedition, he looked
upon the disappointment as a blessing. It was the most unfortunate
attempt ever made by the Spaniards in the New World. The poor
adventurers suffered sorely by tempests; and when at length they landed,
the poisoned arrows of the natives, together with disease and famine,
swept off the most of them. A little colony planted upon the Isthmus of
Darien, by Vasco Nuñez de Balboa, was all that remained of the
enterprise. Yet with all this, he had a thought that had he been among
the adventurers, things might have gone better; and his heart was still
bent upon discoveries and conquests. Among all the wild schemes of
adventure talked of among the settlers at Hispaniola, none were too wild
for him: he was ready, in fact, for any daring expedition,--the more
daring the better.
In 1511, Don Diego Columbus, who had succeeded Ovando as Governor,
determined upon the conquest of the island of Cuba, and Cortes resolved
to bear his part in it. The Governor selected as the leader of this
enterprise Diego Velasquez, a man well known in Hispaniola; and Cortes
managed by his ability to be made, with Andres de Duero, joint secretary
to Velasquez. In a little time all was ready, and Velasquez departed
with a large number of followers. He anticipated a struggle in subduing
the natives of the island, and had made preparations for it; but,
strange to tell, an island seven hundred miles long, and covered with
numerous inhabitants, was brought into subjection almost without an
effort. The cacique Hatuey opposed his landing, and afterwards gave him
some trouble, but with his three hundred men he was soon master of the
island, and established several colonies, the principal one being at St.
Jago.
Cortes, seeing the advantage of his position, cultivated warmly the
friendship of Velasquez; and as he knew that Andres de Duero had his
particular confidence, he managed to make a warm friend of him. Many of
the people, however, soon became dissatisfied with Velasquez, and
determined to send complaints against him to Don Diego Columbus. Cortes,
by his manly bearing, had made friends of the multitude, and when they
came to choosing some one who should bear their complaints, the boldness
and sagacity of Cortes prompted them to choose him. It was a dangerous
business, for the bearer would not only provoke Velasquez, but would
risk his life in passing over to Hispaniola in a canoe. Yet Cortes
imprudently agreed to undertake it. Velasquez was so provoked, that he
declared he should suffer the punishment of death. Men were immediately
ordered to arrest him. But Cortes, hearing of this, managed to make his
escape, and hid himself in the church. Feeling safe here, he determined
to remain until Andres de Duero could induce the commander to pardon
him. His ardor and imprudence, however, soon revealed his hiding-place.
He had formed an attachment for a young woman of good family, called
Doña Catalina Suarez de Pacheco. She lived not far from the church, and
Cortes was in the habit of meeting her. The officers knew this, and kept
watch for him. One night, having left the church, thinking he was
unseen, he was suddenly surprised, seized before he could make any
resistance, and led off to prison. He seemed now to have so much sorrow
for his error, that Velasquez was induced to forgive him. Afterwards,
having married Doña Catalina, upon the birth of his first son, he
requested the Governor to stand as the god-father. To this Velasquez
cheerfully consented, and now they seemed as warm friends as ever.
Cortes bore himself in every way kindly towards him, and lost no
opportunity of making himself agreeable to him.
Desirous of extending his dominions, Velasquez, in the year 1517, had
allowed Hernandez de Cordova to sail with a small expedition from Cuba,
and he had discovered the eastern cape of Yucatan. It was an unfortunate
expedition,--the commander and the greater portion of his soldiers
having perished in it. Yet the accounts which Velasquez had received,
induced him to fit out another and more powerful expedition. Four
vessels were at once made ready, and Juan de Grijalva, at the head of
two hundred and fifty men, took the command of them. In a short time, he
discovered the island of Cozumel, and then following in the track of
Cordova, coasted along the shores of Yucatan, trading with the natives,
giving them such trinkets as he had, for gold and food. At last he made
a landing on the island of St. Juan de Ulua. The Mexicans upon the
coasts were now greatly alarmed. They had never seen such men or weapons
as they now beheld, and they instantly sent messengers to their chief,
Montezuma, telling him of the arrival of these new visiters. Montezuma
was greatly frightened by their news. It is said that from this time he
had no peace, living daily in the fear that his empire would be taken
from him. The Spaniards remained several days at the island, and
succeeded in finding some gold. Grijalva, after making his observations,
became convinced that the coast near by was part of a continent, and he
panted to land there and push his discoveries. There was danger,
however, in this, as he did not know the character of the people whom he
should meet, and the number of his men had been greatly reduced by
disease. He resolved, therefore, to wait until he could get a
reinforcement from Cuba, and accordingly sent a messenger back to
Velasquez to get assistance. Having done this, he pursued his
discoveries about the province of Panuco, which he found covered (it is
said) with large and populous towns at the distance of three leagues
from the coast.
In the mean time, his messenger, Pedro de Alvarado, had arrived in Cuba,
bearing specimens of gold, and telling of the wonderful discoveries of
Grijalva. Velasquez was greatly delighted: like all his countrymen at
that time, he was thirsting for gold and conquests. His delight, too,
was the greater, because he had heard nothing before from Grijalva since
he sailed, and had feared he was lost. His fears had at one time been so
intense, that he had despatched a vessel under the command of Christoval
de Olid to seek him. Olid had followed in the track of his companions,
but after being beaten about with tempests, had returned to Cuba without
any tidings of them.
Alvarado’s story soon spread over the island, and multitudes were eager
to join Grijalva. The prospect of wealth and glory was now fairly opened
before them, but among them all there was none more excited than Hernan
Cortes. Velasquez immediately sent messengers to Spain with the glorious
news of Grijalva’s discovery, and then commenced fitting out an
expedition for the new continent. The vessel was soon ready, and three
hundred volunteers came forward, desirous of embarking. Among these were
Diego de Ordaz, Francisco de Morla, Escobar, and Bernal Diaz del
Castillo, who afterwards wrote a History of the Conquest of Mexico. Now
came the time for choosing a leader for this expedition. Velasquez knew
very well that a good leader was everything in such an enterprise, and
he was very cautious. Some recommended to the Governor to appoint Vasco
Porcallo, a man of high rank, while the soldiers were in favor of
Grijalva. Others spoke of Augustin Bermudez, and Bernardino Velasquez,
relatives of the Governor, as fit persons, but none of them pleased
Velasquez. The truth is, the Governor was jealous. He was desirous of
appointing some one who was capable of leading the enterprise, and at
the same time one who would not slight his authority. He was seeking his
own glory.
From the beginning of the preparations, Hernan Cortes had determined, if
possible, to be the leader of this expedition. He was himself on good
terms with Velasquez, but was not willing to trust the chance of success
to that. He knew that there were two individuals possessing more
influence over the Governor than any others: these were Amador de Lares,
the royal treasurer of Cuba, and Andres de Duero, his secretary; and
these, fortunately, were warm friends of his own. He bargained with
these, therefore, to procure for him the command of the expedition,
promising to reward them amply if they should succeed. Their attachment
for Cortes, together with this hope of reward, induced them to urge his
claim warmly. They declared to Velasquez that Cortes (as he well knew)
was in every way fitted to take the command--that he was honorable,
prudent, and fearless, and greatly beloved by all the Spaniards.
Velasquez was pleased with the thought. He felt that Cortes was the
proper man as to ability, and the thought that he possessed neither rank
nor fortune, prevented any jealousy towards him. Cortes had behaved well
whenever he had been trusted, and Velasquez was convinced he might be
trusted now. Then, too, he remembered the friendship that had been kept
between them since the marriage of Cortes, and naturally enough supposed
that their former difficulty made him the safer man for this occasion.
To the great joy of Cortes, Velasquez declared publicly that he was to
be the leader of the expedition.
As soon as this appointment was made known, the disappointed relatives
of the Governor began to beset him with strange stories of Cortes,
hoping to startle his fears, that he might take the command from him.
Nor did they work in vain. They succeeded so far in making him jealous,
that his friends Lares and Duero became alarmed. They immediately gave
notice to Cortes of what was doing, and he as quickly, before the poison
had time fully to work, made all things ready for a start. He then went
to see the Governor, and had a long talk with him about the whole
enterprise. Velasquez was now so much pleased, that on the next morning,
when Cortes was about to sail, he went with him to the vessel, and they
had a warm and affectionate parting.
It was on the 18th day of November, 1519, that Cortes set sail from St.
Jago. In a little time he reached Trinidad, a small settlement upon the
island, and here discovered that his enemies were still at work to ruin
him. Disappointed ambition is a base enemy to deal with. Cortes had no
sooner sailed, than the kinsmen of the Governor told worse stories than
ever. They knew the jealous nature of Velasquez, and worked upon it
freely. They declared that Cortes was selfish and ambitious, and would
despise his authority;--that he must expect nothing but insolence from
him. Velasquez for some time felt easy; for notwithstanding his friendly
parting with Cortes, he had given commands to Diego de Ordaz, one of the
adventurers, to watch him, and report to him whatever was done. He felt,
therefore, that he had a spy upon the actions of the leader, and this
gave him confidence. But these disappointed men worked upon him until he
began to feel that his spy would prove faithless. Then they began to
frighten him in a new way: they hired a man named Juan Millian, who
pretended to be an astrologer, to help them in their mean design, and
this fellow prophesied terrible sorrows if the command was not taken
from Cortes. All the suspicions of Velasquez were now roused. He knew
the vessel was to touch at Trinidad, and now he sent his messengers with
positive orders to Francisco Verdugo, the chief magistrate of the place.
These orders were, to take the command from Cortes and give it to Vasco
Porcallo. Secret instructions were sent also to Diego de Ordaz to assist
in this matter. But, fortunately, the friends of Cortes had not
forgotten him. Lares and Duero knew what mischief was at work, and they
secretly sent news of the whole to Cortes. He at once understood the
danger of his position, and understood as well how to meet it. Knowing
that much depended upon making a friend of Diego de Ordaz, he sought him
immediately. The open bearing of Cortes, with his powerful persuasions
and brilliant promises, at once won the friendship of Ordaz. So far from
aiding the commands given to Verdugo, he went to the magistrate and
convinced him that it was impossible to obey the commands of Velasquez.
Cortes, he declared, had the hearts of the people, and it was idle to
oppose him. Some think that Verdugo was bribed, but it is more probable
that the great popularity of Cortes made him afraid to attempt to carry
out his orders. At all events, Cortes was undisturbed. To blind
Velasquez, he now wrote him a friendly letter, and then set sail from
Trinidad.
Ere long he reached Havana, another settlement. Here he commenced
beating up recruits, and gathering stores and provisions to strengthen
his armament. This was easily done; multitudes eagerly joined him.
Cortes hurried this business as rapidly as possible, for he still feared
the jealousy of the suspicious Governor, and expected every hour the
arrival of orders to stop him. In this fear he was not mistaken. He had
not yet completed his arrangements, when the order came. Velasquez, more
enraged against him than ever, because Verdugo had not obeyed his
commands, and now certain that Cortes meant to defy him, sent a
messenger with secret instructions to Pedro Barba, the commander at
Havana, ordering him at once to seize Cortes, send him under a strong
guard to St. Jago, and then delay the expedition until he should receive
further orders. The principal officers were also commanded to aid Pedro
Barba in arresting Cortes. Fortunately for Cortes, he was again advised
of this plan. Bartholomew de Olmedo, chaplain to his armament, having
received from a monk secret information of the whole, informed Cortes,
and he at once prepared to meet the danger. The two officers whom he
most feared as being ready to assist Pedro Barba, were Velasquez de
Leon, a relation of the Governor of Cuba, and Diego de Ordaz, whose
conduct, notwithstanding what had passed at Trinidad, was sometimes
suspicious. Velasquez de Leon was a frank, warm-hearted, and ambitious
young man, and Cortes easily won him to his cause by telling him of the
glory that was before him, and the danger of any delay to the
expedition. As to Ordaz, he determined to get him out of the way for a
time, and therefore sent him to Guaniguanico, near Cape Antonio, that he
might get further supplies of provisions for the voyage. As soon as
Ordaz had left, Cortes assembled all his men. He now told them of the
meanness and jealousy of Velasquez, in trying to take the command from
him for no cause whatever. Then he spoke of the foolish order for
delaying an expedition in which they were all so eager to embark, and in
which they were all to earn so much glory,--an order he declared to be
the more outrageous, because they had all spent their own private means
in equipping for the enterprise. The men were greatly aroused. They were
attached to Cortes, and they knew his worth as their leader. They begged
that he would never give up the command, and promised that they would
risk their lives anywhere, wherever he might lead. This was precisely
what Cortes desired. He declared that he would be their leader, and that
he would guide them to that rich and beautiful country for which they
were panting--a country in which every man should find wealth and honor.
He then took an oath that he would never forsake such faithful and
trusty followers. The air now rang with their shouts. While some cried
out that they would stand by Cortes for ever, others uttered terrible
threats against his enemies. He was now fixed in his command; he had the
hearts of all his men. They looked upon him as a leader chosen by
themselves--their noble and bold friend and companion, who was to lead
them on to victory. Pedro Barba at once wrote to Velasquez, telling him
that it was impossible to fulfil his orders; and Cortes sent him a
second letter, informing him that on the next day he should sail from
Havana.
The fleet of Cortes now consisted of eleven vessels, one of which was of
one hundred tons, three of seventy, and the rest only open barks. His
followers numbered six hundred and seventeen persons. Of these, one
hundred and nine were sailors and mechanics; the remainder were to act
as soldiers. As to regular soldiers, there were among them all, only
sixteen horsemen, thirty musketeers, and thirty-two cross-bowmen; the
others were armed only with spears and swords, the use of which they
little understood. To add somewhat to their strength, however, there
were on board the fleet “ten cannons and four falconets.” Instead of
shields or coats of mail to defend them from such enemies as they should
meet, which articles would have proved heavy in a warm climate, their
leader had supplied them all with jackets quilted with cotton. This was
the whole force, with which Cortes was now prepared to seek and subdue
the new continent.
To urge his followers onward the more, Cortes mingled with their dreams
of glory, the thought that they were to extend the religion of our
blessed Saviour. The spirit of the age, and the religion in which they
had been trained, allowed this idea, and they really supposed that their
warlike expedition, among other things, was to spread the gospel of
peace. Strange thought, yet it was theirs! The Spaniards therefore
hailed with enthusiasm the banner which Cortes raised over them. It was
a standard of velvet, richly embroidered with gold, bearing the royal
arms and a large cross, together with this motto: “_Companions, let us
follow the cross, for under this guidance we shall conquer._”