lver, and
jewels they might gain; also that, when any one settled himself there,
he should be presented with an Indian commendary, the distribution of
which his majesty had confided to Diego Velasquez.

Although this proclamation was made previous to the return of the
chaplain Benito Martinez, whom Diego had despatched to Spain to procure
for him such authority and other powers, yet it made a deep impression
among the inhabitants of the island. Cortes, also, at the same time
wrote to all his friends, inviting them to join the expedition. Many
there were who sold all they were possessed of, to buy themselves arms
and a horse; others purchased stores of cassave-bread and salted bacon
to provision the ships, and otherwise equipped themselves as well as
they could. Our numbers had increased to 300 soldiers when we left
Santiago de Cuba: we were even joined by some of the principal
personages of Diego Velasquez's household; among the number was Diego de
Ordas, his steward. To this he had certainly been advised by his master,
to see that nothing was done opposed to his interests, as he did not
altogether trust Cortes. There was also Francisco de Morla, Escobar,
Herredia, Juan Ruano, Pedro Escudero, and Martin Ramos de Pares of
Biscay, with many other friends and acquaintances of Velasquez. Myself I
speak of last. Though I have merely enumerated these warriors as they
came to my memory; without wishing, however, to give one any preference
above the other. I intend hereafter to give the names of them all in the
proper place.

While Cortes was thus making every exertion to expedite the equipment of
the vessels, the malice and envy of the relatives of Velasquez was not
silent, who felt themselves most grievously neglected that the command
should have been intrusted to Cortes. Velasquez had only shortly
beforehand shown his hatred to Cortes on account of his marriage, and
even persecuted him; they were therefore the more spiteful, and in every
way strove to lower him in the eyes of the governor, hoping thereby to
deprive him of the command. Cortes, who was fully acquainted with this,
took care to be always at Velasquez's side. He took every opportunity of
showing his attachment to him, and spoke of nothing but of the glory of
this undertaking, and of the vast riches it could not fail, in a short
time, to bring his patron Velasquez. Even Andreas de Duero urged Cortes
by all means to hasten the embarkation, as the relatives of Vela