They then begged of the licentiate Leon to leave all other
considerations, to hasten to Mexico, and to remember what had befallen
Narvaez, Garay, and Tapia, to whom Cortes likewise made every show of
respect and affection, but had, some how or other, obliged them to
return home again without accomplishing their object. In short, they
calumniated our general in every possible manner, and actually succeeded
in persuading Leon that Cortes would not listen to his commission.

The licentiate was accompanied by several cavaliers, among whom were the
alguacil-mayor Proano of Cordoba and his brother, Salazar de Petraza,
who came with the appointment of alcalde of the fortifications of
Mexico, but he died shortly after of pleurisy; further, the bachelor or
licentiate Marcos de Aguilar, a soldier of the name of Bocanegra of
Cordoba, and several monks of the order of the Dominicians, with their
provincial father Thomas Ortiz, who had been for several years prior of
some cloister, but I forgot where; however, every one was of opinion
that he was better suited for business than for a religious life. With
these personages Leon held a consultation as to whether he should
proceed immediately to Mexico or not; and they were unanimously of
opinion that he should repair thither without delay.

The licentiate accordingly set out on his journey, and arrived in
Iztapalapan when Cortes was about to despatch other couriers with
letters and refreshments to him. Here, however, he met with a most
splendid reception, and a sumptuous banquet was prepared for him, at
which Andreas de Tapia figured as master of the ceremonies. Ponce de
Leon enjoyed himself very much at table, and was perfectly astonished
when fresh cream and cheese were also handed to him. He and the
cavaliers who accompanied him eat so heartily of these dainties, that
several of them were obliged to leave the table, having been seized with
sudden pains in their bowels. Although the others felt not the slightest
effects of the cream, father Thomas Ortiz instantly declared it had been
poisoned, and that he would take good care not to touch it. The other
gentlemen, however, who sat at table declared that he had stuffed down
as much of it as any of them; but as Tapia had been master of the
ceremonies on this occasion, the newly-arrived guests declared that all
was not right.

Cortes himself was not present at this banquet in Iztapalapan, but had
remained in Mexico, where a rumour was