eneral of the expedition, and at once
set to work, with his accustomed energy, to gather material for it.
He not only contributed all the fortune he had made, but raised
funds by mortgaging his estates to their full value, and by
borrowing money from merchants and others, on security of the
wealth that was to be acquired by the expedition.

His personal popularity in the island enabled him to gather
numerous recruits, and many of his intimate friends, who joined
him, assisted him from their own resources or by raising money on
their estates. Velasquez himself contributed comparatively little
towards the expenses, which were almost entirely borne by Cortez
and his friends.

Six ships were fitted out, and three hundred recruits enrolled. The
instructions Cortez received were first to find Grijalva and,
joining company with him, to visit Yucatan, and endeavor to rescue
six Christians who were reported as still living there, the
survivors of a vessel wrecked, years before, on the coast. He was
to make a survey of the whole coastline, to acquaint himself with
the natural productions of the country, and with the character and
institutions of the native races. He was to barter with the
natives, and to treat them with kindness and humanity, and to
remember, above all things, that the object the emperor had most at
heart was the conversion of the Indians. He was to invite them to
give in their allegiance to the king, and to send such presents as
would ensure his favor and protection. The governor gave no
directions for colonizing or conquering, having received no warrant
from Spain that would enable him to invest his agent with such
powers.

But while Cortez was preparing to start, many of the leading men of
the island, who were jealous of his rapid rise, roused the
suspicions of Velasquez against him; saying that, when he had once
sailed, he would no longer recognize the governor's authority, and
would be thinking only of winning renown and wealth for himself.
Velasquez determined to appoint another commander, but Duero and
Lares, to whom he confided his intentions, at once informed Cortez
of them. With the same promptitude that always distinguished him in
moments of danger, Cortez went round to his officers after
nightfall, got them and his men on board, visited the contractor,
carried off all his stock of meat (giving him a massive gold chain
in security for payment), and before daybreak the fleet left its
moorings and