not sustained by the best authorities.[1] The fact is, some time elapsed, after the suspicions of the governor had first been aroused, before the sailing of the fleet, during which interval Grijalva with his ships returned.
Gomara states that Velazquez sought to break with Cortés and send only Grijalva's vessels, with another commander; but to this Láres and Duero, whose advice was asked by the governor, made strong objection, saying that Cortés and his friends had spent too much money now to abandon the enterprise, which was very true; for like the appetite of Angaston which came with eating, the more Cortés tasted the sweets of popularity and power, the more stomach he had for the business. And the more the suspicions of the governor grew, the greater were the captain-generaľ's assurances of devotion, and the firmer became the determination of Cortés and his followers to prosecute this adventure, in which they had staked their all.[2]
- ↑ Prescott states that Las Casas was on the island at the time. In this he is mistaken. On the other hand, Bernal Diaz was an eye-witness, and tells a very different story. But the tale of the soldier is not so striking as that of the priest, who writes from the statements of Velazquez' friends, colored by time and distance. The final words which passed between the governor and Cortés, according to Las Casas, in effect were these: "Compadre, is this the way you are going? A nice manner, truly, of taking leave! 'To which Cortés makes answer, 'Pardon me, sir; there are things which must be carried out before they are considered. I wait your worship's orders.' Hist. Ind., iv. 451-2; Herrera, dec. ii. lib. iii. cap. xii.
- ↑ Testimonio de Montejo, in Col. Doc. Inéd., i. 437. No le pudo estoruar la yda porq͏̄ todos le siguian: los q͏̄ alli estauã, como los q͏̄ venian con Grijalua. Ca si lo tentara con rigor vuiera rebuelta en la ciudad, y aun muertes. Y como no era párte dissimulo.' Cortés cven announced that he was going on his own account, and that the soldiers had nothing to do with Velazquez. Gomara, Hist. Mex., 13. But this highly improbable. According to De Rebus Gestis Ferdinandi Cortesii, Cortés spread insinuations against Velazquez' greed and selfishness, commented upon his own liberality and upon the rich prospects before them, and thus gained the voice of his followers, so that the former dared not attempt any overt acts. Loricâ ab eo tempore sub veste munitus, stipatusque armatis militibus, quos spe sibi fidos amicos fecerat.' Icazbalceta, Col. Doc., i. 346-9; Cortés, Memorial, 1542, in Cortés, Escritos Sueltos, 310. Las Casas repeats his condemnation of Gomara, as a man who
for we know that this pretended jest is not of thyself.' But the jester persisted in calling out, Hail to my master Diego and his valiant captain! I swear to thee, my master, that rather than see thee grievously regret this foolish step I would hie me with Cortés to those rich lands.' It was supposed that Velazquez' relatives had induced the man to make these remarks.
