m Narvaez had imprisoned along with some other
soldiers. This Barahona was a man of great wealth, and had settled in
Guatimala. He was in very ill health when he arrived in Cortes'
quarters, who desired that every attention should be paid him.

When the captains and pilots of the several vessels appeared in Cortes'
presence, he made them take a solemn oath to obey his commands in all
matters. A certain Pedro Caballero, captain of one of Narvaez's vessels,
he appointed admiral of the flotilla. This man, it was rumoured, had
been bribed with some bars of gold to favour Cortes' party. Caballero
received instructions not to allow any vessel to leave the harbour, and
if any others should arrive there from Cuba--for Cortes had received
information that there were two other ships fitting out there for this
harbour--he was to seize them, send their sails, rudders, compasses on
shore, and await further orders. This, as we shall afterwards see,
Caballero punctually obeyed.

In our head-quarters the following important arrangements were made:
Leon was to be sent to subdue the province of Panuco, and to make a
settlement there; for which purpose 120 men were placed under his
command, of whom 100 were of Narvaez's troops, the rest being made up of
our own, who were better acquainted with the mode of warfare in this
country. To this detachment were likewise added two vessels, in order
more thoroughly to explore the coast and the river Panuco.

A similar commission, with an equal number of troops, composed as the
former, and also to be accompanied by two vessels, was given to Diego de
Ordas, to form a settlement on the river Guacasualco. He was likewise to
despatch some of his men to the island of Jamaica to purchase cows,
horses, pigs, goats, sheep, and Spanish fowls, for breeding; the
province of Guacasualco being particularly adapted for the breed of
cattle.

Cortes now ordered all Narvaez's officers and soldiers to be liberated,
with the exception of Salvatierra, who feigned to be taken suddenly ill
during the late battle. When their arms were to be returned to them, it
occasioned a good deal of ill blood, for many of our men had taken
possession of their horses, swords, and other matters, and no one felt
inclined to return what he had once taken. When Cortes, therefore,
issued orders that every one was to receive his own again, it caused
great discontent among our troops; for we maintained we were justified
in retaining what