ch the Indians say was taught them by the god
Quetzalcohuatl." Bustamente (Historia de la Conquista de Mexico escrita,
por Fr. Bernardino Sahagun, Mexico, 1829,) calls it, "Piedra jaspe, mui
verde, o sea esmeralda ordinaria," i.e. "A jasper of a very green
colour, or a common smaragdus."

This stone represented among the Mexicans everything that was excellent
in its kind, for which reason they put such a stone in the mouth of the
distinguished chiefs who died. (p. 93.)

CHAPTER XLI.

_What happened on account of our bartering for gold, and of other things
which took place in our camp._

This bartering for gold being continued with the Indians, the adherents
of Diego Velasquez remonstrated with Cortes, and asked him how he could
suffer such a thing? Diego Velasquez, they added, had not sent him
hither, that the soldiers should put most of the gold in their pockets.
It ought to be made known, that henceforth no one but Cortes himself
should barter for gold, and that every one should render an account of
the gold in his possession, in order that the emperor's fifths might be
deducted therefrom. It was, moreover, necessary to appoint a treasurer.
Cortes confessed they were in the right, and allowed them to choose a
treasurer themselves. But, not until their choice had fallen on one
Gonzalo Mexia, did he show what his real intentions were; then he said
to them with a heavy frown on his brow: "Only consider, gentlemen, how
hard our comrades have to fare, since provisions totally fail! In order
that they might not hunger, I have up to this moment overlooked this
system of bartering, and indeed it produces but a mere trifle. I hope,
with the assistance of God, that our affairs will take a better turn by
and bye. Everything has its two sides to be looked at, and as we have
now, in compliance with your wishes, ordered that no more bartering for
gold shall be allowed in future, we have to see whence we are henceforth
to obtain provisions."

Gomara is in the wrong, when he relates, that Cortes issued that order,
on this occasion, to make Motecusuma believe we cared little about gold.
This monarch knew very well how the matter stood on this point, from the
time of our arrival under Grijalva in the Bandera stream; he might also
easily guess what we were after, when we begged of him to send us the
casque full of golden grains, and our daily bartering for that metal.
The Mexicans, indeed, are not the kind of folks to be th