morning broke news was carried to Velasquez that the
fleet was under weigh, and he rose hastily and galloped down to the
quay. Cortes rowed back to within speaking distance.

'This is a courteous way of taking leave of me, truly,' cried the
governor.

'Pardon me,' answered Cortes, 'time presses, and there are some things
that should be done before they are even thought of.' And with that he
returned to his vessel, and the little fleet sailed away to Macaca,
where Cortes laid in more stores. This was on November 18, 1518. Shortly
afterwards he proceeded to Trinidad, a town on the south coast of Cuba,
where he landed, and setting up his standard, invited all who would to
join the expedition, holding out to them great hopes of wealth to be
gained. Volunteers flocked in daily, including many young men of noble
family, who were attracted by the fame of Cortes. Among them were Pedro
de Alvarado, Cristoval de Olid, Alonso de Avila, Juan Velasquez de Leon,
Alonso Hernandez de Puertocarrero, and Gonzalo de Sandoval, of all of
whom you will hear again before the story is finished. Finally, in
February 1519, when all the reinforcements were assembled, Cortes found
he had eleven vessels, one hundred and ten mariners, five hundred and
fifty-three soldiers, and two hundred Indians. He also had sixteen
horses, ten large guns, and four lighter, which were called falconets.
Cortes, before embarking, addressed his little army, saying that he held
out to them a glorious prize, and that if any among them coveted riches,
he would make them masters of such as their countrymen had never dreamed
of; and so they sailed away for the coast of Yucatan.

The first thing that happened was that they were overtaken by a furious
tempest, and Cortes was delayed by looking after a disabled vessel, and
so was the last to reach the island of Cozumel. Here he found that
Alvarado, one of his captains, had landed, plundered a temple, and by
his violence caused the natives to fly and hide themselves inland.

Cortes, much displeased, severely reprimanded his officer, and, by the
aid of an interpreter, explained his peaceful intentions to two Indians
who had been captured. Then he loaded them with presents, and sent them
to persuade their countrymen to return, which they presently did, and
the Spaniards had the satisfaction of bartering the trifles they had
brought for the gold ornaments of the natives. Next Cortes sent two
ships to the opposite coast of Yuc