at town to repair to Tlascalla. Above 1000
Indians were despatched thither to transport these things. The cauldrons
for boiling and preparing the tar were likewise brought from Vera Cruz,
and we were now only in want of the materials for making it, the
preparation of which was wholly unknown to the Indians; but here again
Cortes was not at a loss, for he picked out four men from among the
sailors who understood its preparation, and for that purpose sent them
off to a forest of pine trees near Huexotzinco.

Though it may, perhaps, be rather out of place here, I must answer a
question which has been put to me by several cavaliers respecting Alonso
de Avila, with whom they were well acquainted. They knew that this man,
though treasurer of New Spain, was, at the same time, an excellent
soldier, and felt more inclination for the life of a warrior than for
business; they could not, therefore, imagine why Cortes should exactly
have selected him to confer with the Hieronymite brothers at St.
Domingo, and that he had not rather chosen some person of more
business-like habits; as, for instance, Alonso de Grado, or Juan de
Cacares, called the wealthy, or others whose names they mentioned to me.
Cortes had no other motive than to get Avila out of the way, because he
spoke his mind too freely, and took every occasion to side with us
soldiers if he saw we were unjustly dealt with. To this was added, that
the latter had fallen out with several of our officers, from a frankness
of disposition displeasing to them. And, lastly, Cortes was desirous of
conferring the command of a company on Andreas de Tapia, and of
appointing Alonso de Grado treasurer, both of which were only possible
by removing Avila.

Cortes now determined to march, with the whole of his men, to Tezcuco,
as the wood for constructing the brigantines was ready prepared, and we
had got rid of Narvaez's men, who made difficulties in all our
expeditions, and always argued against any attempt to besiege Mexico,
maintaining we were not sufficiently numerous for that purpose; by which
means they infected others with their cowardice. Previous to our leaving
for Tezcuco, however, various deliberations took place as to which would
be the most eligible spot for launching our brigantines. Some of our men
maintained that Ayotzinco, near to Chalco, on account of its canals and
harbour, was better adapted for this purpose; others, again, preferred
Tezcuco, and were of opinion that, on