is friendly tone, as our numbers were so very small in
comparison to his, and because we were first desirous of knowing how he
was inclined. Besides this, we employed other means to gain friends
among Narvaez's officers, which seemed no great difficulty, as Guevara
had assured Cortes that the latter were not on the best terms with their
commander, and that a few bars of gold, with a few chains of the same
metal, would soon pave the way. In this letter Cortes informed Narvaez
how both he and all his men were rejoiced at his arrival here; in
particular himself, as they were old friends. He also desired he would
not connive at the liberation of Motecusuma, as the consequences would
be a rebellion in the city, and throughout the whole country, which
would be the destruction of both his troops and ours, as we should be
overwhelmed by numbers. He could not help drawing his particular
attention to this circumstance, as Motecusuma of late seemed greatly
changed in his behaviour towards him, and the inhabitants were upon the
point of rising up in arms, from the message which Motecusuma had
received in Narvaez's name; but he was convinced that he was too prudent
and sensible a man, and would not have sent such a dangerous message at
such a critical period, if he had not been misled by the three
scoundrels who had run over to him. To make a good finish to the letter,
he begged to say that Narvaez was at liberty to dispose of his person
and of his purse, and he would await his commands.

Cortes at the same time wrote to Andreas de Duero and Vazquez de Aillon,
and accompanied these letters with some gold for themselves and his
other friends. Aillon, besides this, privately received some other gold
bars and chains. He also despatched father Olmedo to Narvaez's
head-quarters with a good stock of these persuasive articles, consisting
in various trinkets of gold and precious stones of great value.

The first letter which Cortes had sent by the Indian courier reached
Narvaez's quarters before Guevara had returned there. This Narvaez read
aloud to his officers, and kept the whole time making merry at the
expense of Cortes and all of us. One of his officers, named Salvatierra,
even blamed him for reading the letter of such a traitor as Cortes was,
to his men. Narvaez, continued he, should immediately march out against
us, and put us all to death. He himself, he swore, would cut off Cortes'
ears, broil them, and eat them up; and all such li