_Of the brave officers and soldiers who sailed from the island of
Cuba with the fortunate and spirited captain Hernando Cortes,
afterwards marquis del Valle._
First I have to mention the marquis Don Hernando Cortes himself, who
died at Castilleja de la Cuesta, near Seville. Then come the following
officers and soldiers.
Don Pedro de Alvarado, who, subsequent to the conquest of New Spain, was
comendador of Santiago, chief justice and governor of Guatimala,
Honduras, and of Chiapa. As we have above seen, he was accidentally
killed in the province of Xalisco.
Gonzalo de Sandoval, a most distinguished officer; he was
alguacil-mayor, and for a short time joint governor of New Spain with
Alonso de Estrada. His majesty had been duly informed of the heroic
conduct which he showed on every occasion. He died at Palos, while on
his journey to court with Cortes to pay his respects to the emperor.
Christobal de Oli, a very brave officer; our quartermaster-general in
the campaign of New Spain: was beheaded at Naco for having revolted with
the troops which Cortes had put under his command.
When Cortes, after the conquest of New Spain, made his first appearance
at court, he particularly praised these three officers, and he told his
majesty that in the army with which he made the conquest of New Spain he
had three officers who could be compared to the most celebrated of any
age. The first he said was Pedro de Alvarado, who, besides being very
courageous, was graceful in his manners, and just the man to become the
father of a race of heroes. The second was Christobal de Oli, whom he
called a real Hector in battle, when he was combating man to man; but
if he had known how to command, he would even have been more than a
Hector. Of Gonzalo de Sandoval he said, that he united power of command,
courage, and valour in such a degree as to constitute him one of the
best officers that Spain ever possessed,--an officer on whom he could at
all times depend, and whose words were followed up by deeds.
On this occasion Cortes likewise spoke of the other brave soldiers who
fought with him in the campaigns of New Spain. It is, however, to be
regretted that he omitted to mention our names with the same praise in
his first despatches as he did when in his majesty's presence. In these
despatches he takes all the glory and merit of our conquests to himself;
and he never so much as mentions the names and heroic deeds of his
officers and brave soldiers; for he only says, This I did, and thus I
commanded my officers to do. For us there only remained the blank piece
of paper at the end, where we had scarcely room to sign our names.
But let us continue the enumeration of our brave companions in arms.
First there was Juan Velasquez de Leon, an officer of great courage and
intrepidity, who lost his life at one of the bridges on the night of
sorrows.
Don Francisco de Montejo, who, subsequent to the conquest of Mexico,
became chief-justice of Yucatan, and died in New Spain.
Luis Marin, a courageous and distinguished officer, died a natural
death.
Pedro de Ircio, a man of middle stature; took short steps, was very
passionate, and was continually talking about his heroic deeds and
adventures in Spain; though among us, who never witnessed any of his
valorous exploits, he was held in very little estimation. We commonly
called him the second Agramant, of many words and few deeds. He was for
a short time an officer in Sandoval's expedition to Tepeaquilla.
Andreas de Tapia, an officer of uncommon courage, died in Mexico.
Juan de Escalante, commandant of Vera Cruz during our first march to
Mexico. He was captured by the Indians in the battle of Almeria, and
died shortly after of his wounds. In this battle seven other soldiers
were killed, whose names, however, I have forgotten. This was the first
defeat which we sustained in New Spain.
Alonso de Avila, a courageous officer, but of a quarrelsome disposition;
for which reason Cortes gave him the appointment of contador, and
despatched him on business to Hispaniola, where the Hieronymite
brotherhood resided, and the royal court of audience held its sittings;
and in order further to appease him, Cortes presented him with a number
of gold bars and valuable trinkets.
Francisco de Lugo, a natural son of a cavalier of Medina del Campo,
named Alvaro de Lugo; he was also a man of uncommon bravery, and died a
natural death.
Andreas de Monjaraz was for some time captain in Mexico, but always in
ill health, and suffered excessively from swellings in his groins, which
rendered him unfit for a soldier. He also died in his bed.
Gregorio de Monjaraz, brother to the former, was an excellent soldier,
became deaf during the siege of Mexico, and died a natural death.
Diego de Ordas was present in the first campaign of Mexico, became a
comendador of the order of Santiago subsequent to the conquest of New
Spain, and perished in an expedition to the river Marannon.
Respecting the four brothers of Alvarado, I have given a full account of
their death in a former chapter.
Juan de Xaramillo commanded a brigantine during the siege of Mexico. He
married our interpretess, Dona Marina, and was a man of distinguished
parts, and also died a natural death.
Christobal de Flores, a man of great courage, was killed during the
expedition of Nuno de Guzman to the province of Xalisco.
Christobal de Gamboa was Cortes' equerry, and died a natural death.
Calcedo was a man of great wealth, and likewise died in his bed.
Francisco de Saucedo, of Medina de Rioseco, a man always very neatly
dressed, and whom we termed the gallant. He had formerly been
maestresala to the admiral of Castile, and perished on the night of
sorrows.
Gonzalo Dominiguez, a man of great courage, and an excellent cavalry
soldier, was taken prisoner by the Indians, and died in captivity.
Francisco de Morla, of Xerez, likewise a brave and distinguished cavalry
soldier, lost his life in the night of sorrows.
There was also another Morla, of Ciudad Rodrigo, killed in an expedition
to the mountains of Guatimala.
Francisco de Bonal, of Salamanca, also a man of great courage, died a
natural death.
There were two brave men of the name of Lares, one a cavalry soldier,
the other a crossbow-man, and both perished at the bridges on the night
of sorrows.
Simon de Cuenca, Cortes' major-domo, was killed, with seven other
Spaniards, by the Indians of Xicalango.
The same misfortune befel Francisco de Medina, who commanded as captain
in one of our expeditions. With him fifteen other soldiers were killed,
but I forget their names.
Maldonado, of Salamanca, whom we commonly called the broad; an officer
who greatly distinguished himself. He died a natural death.
The two brothers Francisco and Juan Chico, of Fregenal. The first was a
merchant, and died of a severe illness at St. Domingo; the second died
in Indian captivity.
Francisco de Terrazas, major-domo of Cortes, greatly distinguished
himself as a soldier, and died a natural death.
Christobal del Corral, our first standard-bearer in Mexico, and a man of
uncommon bravery. He returned to Spain, where he died.
Antonio de Villareal, who married Isabella de Ojeda. He afterwards
changed his name to Antonio Serrano de Cardona. He died a natural death.
Francisco Rodrigues Magarino, a man who greatly distinguished himself,
and also died in his bed.
In the same way Francisco Flores, who was of a noble family, and lived
in Guaxaca.
Alonso de Grado, a better man of business than a soldier, would not
desist from importuning Cortes until he had given him Dona Isabella,
Motecusuma's daughter, in marriage. He also died in his bed.
There were four soldiers of the name of Solis. One was far advanced in
years, and perished on the night of sorrows. The second was a very odd
kind of fellow, we called the helmet, and he ended his days in
Guatimala. The third was Pedro, to whom we gave the name of Tras la
Puerta, because he was always looking out behind his door to see who was
passing by, without, however, any one being able to see him. The fourth
de Solis was called the warrior, but sometimes we also jokingly called
him the silk coat; for he said his health was always good when he wore
silk. These brothers all died a natural death.
The brave soldiers Berritez and Juan Ruano both perished on the night of
sorrows.
Bernardino Vasquez de Tapia, an officer of great distinction, died a
natural death, leaving great wealth behind him.
Christobal de Olea, of Medina del Campo, a soldier of astonishing
courage, and of whom it may be well said, that, next to God, he twice
saved the life of Cortes, as has been related in former chapters.
There was also another courageous soldier among us, who had only one
hand; the other had been cut off in Spain, according to a sentence which
had been passed upon him. This man died in Indian captivity.
Another soldier, named Tuvilla, likewise lost his life in this way. He
limped with one foot, and said he had fought at the battle of
Garigliano, under the great captain.[58]
Of the two brothers Gonsalo and Juan Ximena, the first died in Indian
captivity, and the latter as alcalde-mayor of Vera Cruz.
Juan Cuellar, an excellent cavalry soldier, married the beautiful Dona
Anna, daughter of the king of Tezcuco, and died in his bed; so also the
other Cuellar, a relative of Francisco Verdugo.
Santos Hernandez, of Soria, was rather advanced in years, and we
generally called him the good old scout. He also died as the two former.
Pedro Moreno Medrano lived for a length of time in Vera Cruz, and was
often one of the ordinary alcaldes. He was a man who loved strict
justice, afterwards lived at Puebla, and was a brave soldier, and
devotedly attached to his monarch. He also died in his bed.
Juan Limpias de Carvajal, a brave soldier, commanded one of the
brigantines, and became deaf in battle. He died like the former. So also
Melchior de Galvez, who settled in Guaxaca.
Roman Lopez, a man of great courage, lost an eye during the siege of
Mexico, and afterwards died in Guaxaca.
Villandromo, a relative of the earl of Ribadeo, was also an excellent
soldier, and died in his bed. So also Osorio, of Old Castile, a soldier
of uncommon bravery, and of great weight in Vera Cruz.
The excellent soldier Rodrigo Castanneda died in Spain.
Pilar, who rendered great services, as an interpreter, died in the
expedition of Nuno de Guzman against Cojohuacan.
A soldier of the name of Granado is still living in Mexico.
The excellent soldier Martin Lopez rendered the most efficient services
in building the thirteen brigantines, without which we should scarcely
have been able to subdue the city of Mexico. He is still living, and
resides in this town.
The crossbow-men Juan de Naxara and Ojeda were both excellent soldiers,
the latter of whom lost an eye in the siege of Mexico, and has settled
in the country of the Zapotecs.
La Serna possessed some silver mines, but I do not know what has become
of him.
Alonso Hernandez Puerto Carrero, a cavalier of most distinguished parts,
was thrown into prison, as we have seen, by the bishop of Burgos, where
he ended his days shortly after. He was one of the chief officers who
first sailed with us from Cuba, and I should have mentioned his name
long before this, if he had come sooner to my memory.
Alonso or Juan Luis was remarkably tall, and we used jokingly to call
him the little child. He died in Indian captivity. So also Alonso
Monroy, who was believed to be the son of a comendador of the order of
Santiago.
Hernando Burguenno died a natural death, and was also an excellent
soldier.
Villalobos and Juan del Rio both returned as wealthy men to Spain.
Both Tirado, of Puebla, who was a merchant, and a certain Navarette died
in their beds.
Juan Rico de Alanis died in Indian captivity. Another excellent soldier
was Gonsalo Hernandez de Alanis.
Francisco Martin de Vendabel and his comrade Pedro de Gallego were taken
prisoners, and sacrificed to the Mexican idols. The capture of these men
was entirely owing to Cortes, who, thinking to lay an ambush for the
enemy, was caught in one himself.
There were three soldiers of the name of Truxillos, all men of uncommon
courage, but who died in Indian captivity.
Juan Flamenco, Francisco de Barco, who commanded in Cholulla, and Juan
Perez, who murdered his own wife, all three died a natural death.
Najera, the hunchback, was a remarkably droll fellow; and another
hunchback, named Madrid, were courageous soldiers, and were either
killed in Zacatula or Colima.
Juan de Inhiesta and Alamilla, capital crossbow-men, with Moron, an
excellent musician, and the brave soldier Valera, all four died a
natural death. So also the courageous Villafuerte, who married a
relative of Cortes' first wife; and a certain Gutierres. Valladolid, the
stout, an excellent soldier, died in Indian captivity.
Pacheco greatly distinguished himself, with Hernando de Lerma or Lerna,
who was a captain. Both died peaceably in Mexico.
Suarez the elder, who killed his wife with a stone mortar, also died a
natural death.
Angula, Francisco Gutierrez, and Santa Clara, all three born at the
Havannah, died in Indian captivity.
Garci Caro, and Larios the younger, both died a natural death, and had
settled in Mexico.
Juan Gorrez lived for some time in Guatimala, and returned to Spain a
wealthy man.
Of the two brothers Ximenes, of Linguijuela in Estremadura, one died in
his bed, and the other in Indian captivity. The two brothers Florin
likewise ended their lives in the same manner.
Gonzalez de Najara, and his two nephews Ramirez. The first was killed
among the mountains of Guatimala, and the two latter perished on the
night of sorrows.
The brave soldier Amaya, and the two brothers Carmonas, of Xerez, died
a natural death. So also one of the two Vargas', of Seville; the other
died in Indian captivity.
The courageous soldier Polanco, of Avila settled in Guatimala, and died
a natural death.
Hernan Lopez de Avila managed the properties of deceased parties, and
accumulated great wealth, with which he returned to Spain.
Bernardino de Corio, Juan de Aragon, and a certain Santisteban died
natural deaths.
Bartolome Pardo and a certain Cieza died in Indian captivity.
Pedro Escudero, Juan Cermenno, and his brother, were excellent soldiers.
The first two, it will he remembered, were hung by Cortes, for
attempting to desert with one of the vessels to Cuba.
The pilot Gonzalo de Umbria was also an excellent soldier, who, by
command of Cortes, had his feet cut off. His majesty subsequently
bestowed on him an annuity of 2000 pesos or some Indian commendaries;
but, for fear of Cortes, he durst not return to Spain.
Rodrigo Rangel was a very talented man, but he never distinguished
himself as a soldier, and he died of severe swellings in his groins.
Francisco de Orozco suffered likewise from this disease. He had served
in the Italian campaigns; he was sent in command of a small detachment
to Tepeaca, while we were quartered in Mexico. I do not however know
what became of him.
Mesa, who had previously served as an artilleryman in Italy, was drowned
in a river subsequent to the conquest of Mexico.
Alobancho, of Old Castile, a man of great courage, died in Indian
captivity.
Luis Velasquez, of Arevalo, perished in the expedition to the Honduras.
Alonso de Barrientos escaped to the Indians of Chinanta, when the
Mexicans put twenty-six men and five Spanish ladies to death at
Tustepec.
Almodovar, with his son and two nephews. One of the latter died in
Indian captivity, the others a natural death.
The two brothers Martinez, of Fregenal, both brave soldiers, and a
certain Logos, who distinguished himself, all three died in Indian
captivity.
Juan del Puerto, also an excellent soldier, fell a victim to a disease
of the groins.
Father Olmedo, a great theologian, a capital singer, and a man possessed
of singular virtues, died a natural death.
Sancho de Avila, of Garrobillas, died in Indian captivity. He was said
to have been worth 6000 pesos before he left St. Domingo, with which,
however, he returned to Spain, and lost all in gambling.
Alonso Hernandez de Palo, a man advanced in years, had two of his
nephews with him, one of whom was a capital crossbow-man. The two latter
died a natural death, but the uncle in Indian captivity. So also Alonso
de la Mesa, and Rabanal Montannes, who were both excellent soldiers.
Pedro de Guzman married Dona Francisca de Valtierra, of Valencia, with
whom he went to Peru; both of whom, it was said, with their horses, a
negro, and several other persons, were frozen to death.
Christobal Diaz, an excellent crossbow-man, of Colmenar de Arenas, died
peaceably in his bed.
The soldier Ratamales was killed by the Indians of Tabasco. The brave
soldiers Gines Nortes, Luis Alonso, and Alonso Catalan were killed in
Yucatan.
Juan Siciliano settled in Mexico, where he died a natural death.
Camillas served as a drummer both in Italy and New Spain, and fell into
the hands of the Indians. The same misfortune befel Hernandez, Cortes'
private secretary; and Juan Diaz, who had a gutta serena on one of his
eyes, and was an officer of Cortes' household.
Diego de Coria died a natural death in Mexico.
Juan Nunez Mercado came as a very young man to New Spain, is now living
at Puebla, but is blind of both eyes.
An excellent soldier was also Juan Sedenno, and he was considered the
wealthiest man of our troops. This man had great weight in New Spain,
and died a peaceable death.
Balnor, of Trinidad, died in Indian captivity.
Saragoza was advanced in years when he joined our ranks, and died a
natural death.
Diego Martin de Ayamente had the same good fortune, and was also an
excellent soldier.
Cardenas, who was a nephew of the comendador-mayor Cardenas, died in
Indian captivity. The other Cardenas was a sailor, of Triana, the same
who brought accusations against Cortes, and received from his majesty an
annuity of 1000 pesos. He died a natural death in Mexico.
Arguello, of Leon, an excellent soldier; Vazquez, a man of uncommon
strength and courage; and Arroyuelo de Olmedo, all three died in Indian
captivity.
Diego Hernandez assisted in the building of the brigantines, became
blind, and died a natural death.
Pizarro had a command as captain, was a relation of Cortes, and died in
Indian captivity.
Alvaro Lopez, who had settled at Puebla, died in his bed. So also the
soldier Yannez, of Cordoba, who accompanied us on the expedition to the
Honduras. When he returned he found his wife married to another, but he
never took her back.
The excellent soldier Magallanes, a Portuguese, was a nimble pedestrian,
who, with his countryman Platero, died in Indian captivity.
The four other Portuguese soldiers named Martin de Alpedrino, Juan
Alvarez Rabaso, and Gonzalo Sanchez, a man of great bodily strength, and
Gonzalo Rodriguez, who was the most distinguished of the four, all died
a natural death.
Of two other Portuguese, named Villanuevas, both very tall men, I know
nothing more than that they settled in la Puebla.
Of the three Avilas, Gaspar died a natural death; the other, who was
always about the person of Andreas de Tapia, in Indian captivity; and
the third settled somewhere in New Spain.
Two soldiers of the name of Vandadas, both far advanced in years, and
three others of the name of Espinosa, all died in Indian captivity. One
of the Espinosas we used to call, "God bless you," because he was
constantly saying this; which, indeed, is an excellent sentence: he died
in peace. So also the courageous soldier Pedro Poron, of Toledo. Another
excellent soldier, named Villasinda, of Portillo, entered a Franciscan
monastery.
Of the two brave San Juans, of whom one was called the "high-minded;"
the first died in Indian captivity, and the second peaceably in his bed.
So also the courageous soldier Izguierdo, of Castro Mocho. An intrepid
soldier was also Caceres, of Truxillo, who was captured by the Indians.
Alonso de Herrera was also a courageous warrior, who for some time
commanded in the country of the Zapotecs. The same who fought the duel
with Figuero during the administration of Estrada. He died among the
Indians of the Marannon. Figuero was drowned on his return to Spain.
There was also a young man named Maldonado, of Medellin, who always
suffered from disease of the groins; but I forget what afterwards became
of him. He must not be confounded with a soldier of the same name, who
married Dona Maria de Rincon. The soldier, Morales, was advanced in
years, and limped with one foot, he was one of the ordinary alcaldes of
Vera Cruz, where he kept good order and was considered an honest man.
Escalona, the younger, died in Indian captivity. The three soldiers
Arevalo, Juan Leon, and Madrigal, who settled in Vera Cruz, never fought
in any of our battles, and all three died a natural death.
Lencero, to whom the Venta belonged, known as the Venta[59] de Lencero,
between Vera Cruz and la Puebla, was an excellent soldier, and entered
the order of the brothers of charity. His example was followed by Alonso
Duran, who was near-sighted, and generally performed the office of
sacristan.
Navarro, who generally kept company with Sandoval's servants, died a
natural death at Vera Cruz.
Another courageous soldier, Alonso Talavera, died in Indian captivity.
Of the two Indians whom we took with us from Cuba, one died in Indian
captivity, the other in his bed.
The drummer Benito Bejel, who had served in the Italian campaigns, and
Alonso Romero, who settled down a rich man in Vera Cruz, both died a
natural death.
Sindos de Portillo received a very lucrative commendary, which produced
him considerable riches. But he relinquished all his worldly goods, sold
them by public auction, distributed the money among the poor, and
entered the order of the brothers of charity.
The courageous soldier Quintero likewise entered this order, possessed
considerable property, and gave it all to the church.
Alonso de Aguilar was also a man of wealth, and he sold all he possessed
and entered the order of the Dominicans.
Another rich soldier, named Varguillas, entered the order of the
Franciscans, but subsequently left the cloister again.
Another excellent soldier, named Escalante, who was very neat in his
person and an excellent cavalry soldier, also entered the Franciscan
order.
Gaspar Diaz, of Old Castile, was a man of considerable wealth; but he
relinquished all his property and lived a hermit in the most deserted
spot among the mountains of Huexotzinco. He slept on straw and lived so
severe a life of penance that he became quite enfeebled. When the bishop
Don Juan de Zumarroga learnt this, he admonished him not to lead such a
life of severity. However, he became so celebrated for piety that
several others joined him, and he died in the space of four years, and
entered into eternal glory.
Ribadeo, of Galicia, whom we termed the "winebibber," because he was
given to drink, was killed in the battle of Almeria. A similar fate
befel another soldier, whom, on account of his shortness, we called the
little Galician.
Lerma, who once saved Cortes' life, was a courageous soldier; but on
account of some misdemeanour or other he fled to the Indians, and we
never after heard of him.
Pinedo was also an excellent soldier, and had formerly served under the
governor of Cuba. He was sent by Narvaez to Mexico, but was killed by
the Indians on his road thither.
The excellent crossbow-man Pedro Lopez, died peaceably in his bed.
Another soldier, of the same name, accompanied Alonso de Avila to
Hispaniola where he died.
One of our three smiths fell into the hands of the Indians, the two
others died a natural death. One was named Juan Garcia, the second
Hernan Martin, the name of the third I have forgotten.
Alvaro of Galicia likewise died a natural death in Mexico. Paredes, who
was an old man and has still a son living in Yucatan, died among the
Indians. The same misfortune befel Gonzalo Meia Rapapelo, who said he
was a nephew of that Meia, who, with a certain Canteno, committed so
many robberies during the reign of king John.
Pedro de Tapia died of the gout sometime after the conquest of Mexico.
Of all our pilots, Anton de Alaminos, his son of the same name, Camacho,
Manquillo, Sopuerta, Cardenas, and Gonzalo Umbria, Sopuerta alone
settled in New Spain, the others, fearing the resentment of Cortes,
because they had given Garay some information respecting the country, of
which he obtained the appointment of governor, durst not return to this
country.
Another pilot, named Lucas de Genna, died in Indian captivity. His
countryman Lorenzo settled in Guaxaca, where he died, after marrying an
old Portuguese woman. Enrique de Palencia was drowned in fording a
river, from the weight of his arms. The carpenter Christobal de Jaen
died in Indian captivity.
Ochoa, of Biscay, a man of wealth and distinction, died a natural death
in Guaxaca. The brave Zamisdio was obliged to flee from Mexico because
he had killed several persons there. He returned to Spain, became an
officer, and was killed with several other cavaliers near Locastil.
The low jester Cervantes died among the Indians. The same fate befel
Plazuela and Alonso Perez Maite, who married a beautiful Indian female
of Bayamo.
Martin Vasquez, of Olmedo, died rich and respected in Mexico. So also
Sebastian Rodriguez, a capital crossbow-man, and his comrade Pennalosa.
The sailor Alvaro, was killed by the Indians, during our expedition to
the Honduras. He was said to be the father of thirty children, by Indian
women.
Both Pedro Sabrite, and Juan Perez Malinche, whose real name was
Artiaga, died a natural death.
Geronimo de Aguilar was an excellent soldier. He had been for several
years in the power of the Indians; he died of a disease of the groins.
Pedro Valenciano, who lived in Mexico, and two of the three soldiers
named Tarifas, died a natural death. One of these settled in Guaxaca,
and married Catalina Munoz: the second, whom we called "Tarifa of
Services," because he was always boasting of the many services he
rendered his majesty gratis: the third we called "Tarifa with the white
hands," because he was neither fit for service nor anything else, but
was always telling us old stories about Seville; he was drowned with his
horse in a river of the Golfo Dulce during our expedition to the
Honduras.
Pedro Sanchez Farsan, who commanded in Tezcuco during the siege of
Mexico, died a natural death.
Alonso de Escobar, who prided himself on having been page to the
governor of Cuba, was killed by the Indians. Another Escobar, whom we
called the bachelor, was an apothecary, and dressed our wounds. He died
raving mad. A third soldier of this name had a more unfortunate end. He
was a remarkably courageous soldier, but was hung for having ill-used a
married woman.
A soldier named Santiago, a native of Huelva, returned to Spain a
wealthy man. His comrade Ponce died in Indian captivity. A soldier of
the name of Mendes shared a similar fate; he was far advanced in years
when he first joined our ranks.
Three of our men were killed in the battles of Tabasco; but Saldana is
the only one I remember by name.
Orteguilla the elder, and his son of the same name, who was some time
page to Motecusuma, were killed by the Indians. Gaona, the brave Luis
Farsan, and Morillas shared a similar fate.
Juan de Caceres died a rich man in Mexico.
Gonzalo Hurones and Ramirez the elder both died a natural death.
Rojas went to Peru.
Astorgos was an old man when he came to New Spain, and he died peaceably
at Guaxaca.
The courageous soldier Valdovinos and Tostado both died among the
Indians; a brother of the latter died more fortunately.
Guillen de la Loa, Andreas Nunez, and the harper Pedro, with three other
soldiers who came to us from one of Garay's vessels, are also deserving
of notice. The first was killed by a cannon ball, one died a natural
death, and the other in Indian captivity. The same misfortune befel
Porras the red head, who was a beautiful singer.
Ortiz performed charmingly on the guitar, and gave lessons in dancing.
He had been a miner at Cuba, and joined us with his friend Bartolome
Garcia, who possessed the finest horse of our whole troop. Both died in
Indian captivity. The brave and excellent crossbow-man Serrano shared a
similar fate.
Pedro Valencia, of Placencia, died a natural death.
Quintero the navigator, and Alonso Rodriguez, who possessed lucrative
gold mines in Cuba, were both killed by the Indians. Gaspar Sanchez, who
pretended to be a nephew of the treasurer of Cuba, and six other
soldiers of Narvaez's corps were killed in storming the Marquis
mountain.
Pedro Palma, the first husband of Elvira Lopez the tall, with the priest
Misa and the soldier Trebejo were hung, either by Francisco de las Casas
or by Gil Gonsalez de Avila, for having attempted to raise an
insurrection among the troops on their return from Naco. When we
returned from the Honduras with Luis Marin we saw the large tree on
which they were all three hung.
Father Juan de las Varillas was an excellent theologian and a man of
great piety; he died a natural death.
Andreas de Mola and the brave soldier Alberza died in Indian captivity.
Besides these were a number of sailors who proved themselves excellent
soldiers. Even the boys, who served on board the vessels we ran on
shore, fought with wonderful courage. Of all these I only remember the
names of Pennates and Pinzones. Some died among the Indians, some
returned to Spain to bring accusations against Cortes.
Lastly, I mention myself; for I made the two voyages of discovery to New
Spain previous to going out with Cortes, as has been seen in the proper
place. I cannot sufficiently thank and praise God and the blessed Virgin
for having shielded me in all the battles, and saved me from falling
into the hands of the Indians, who at that time sacrificed all prisoners
to their abominable idols. To heaven I must also offer up my thanks for
giving me power to describe our heroic deeds, and to publish to the
world the names of all the brave officers and soldiers who conquered New
Spain; and not that all the honour, glory, and our merit in the conquest
might be given to one officer alone.