ck to Mexico, when he received certain information that three
townships, which had previously stood at the head of the rebellion in
this province, had again conspired to revolt. The inhabitants of these
three townships had put a great number of Spaniards to death after they
had sued for peace and had declared themselves vassals of our emperor,
and now were using every means to persuade the population of the
surrounding neighbourhood to join them in an attack upon our new
settlement, and kill every Spaniard left behind when Cortes should have
departed with the remaining troops for Mexico. Cortes having convinced
himself of the truth of this report, burnt the three towns to the
ground, but they were subsequently rebuilt by these same tribes.

About this time the following misfortune happened. Cortes, previous to
leaving Mexico, had sent orders to Vera Cruz for a quantity of wine,
preserved fruits, and biscuits, besides a number of horse shoes, all of
which was to be forwarded to the province of Panuco. A vessel without
delay was despatched with these things from Vera Cruz, which arrived
safe off the coast of Panuco, where, unfortunately, it was overtaken by
a terrific storm from the south, and went to the bottom of the sea: only
three of the crew were saved, who clung to some loose pieces of wood and
were driven to a small island about sixteen miles from the mainland,
which was covered in places with white sand.

Every night great numbers of seals came on shore to sleep on the sand,
and these were the means of keeping the three men alive, who killed them
and roasted their flesh at a fire which they kindled after the Indian
manner, by rubbing two pieces of wood vehemently together. By digging a
well towards the middle of the island they procured themselves fresh
water, and at last even found a species of fig, so that they could not
at least die of hunger; and in this way they continued to live for the
space of two months, when they were rescued in the following manner.

Cortes having waited a length of time in vain at Santisteban del Puerto
for this vessel, wrote to his major-domo at Mexico to know the reason
why the things he sent for had not arrived. When his major-domo received
this letter he soon guessed that some accident must have happened to the
vessel, and instantly sent out another in search of her. It pleased God
in his great mercy that the vessel should approach the small island
where the three Spaniards had be