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HAPTER CXVIII.

 _How Cortes reviews the whole of his troops, and we are supplied
 with two hundred and fifty very long new lances, by the
 Tchinantecs._

As soon as Cortes was apprized of Narvaez's arrival in New Spain, and
had received every information respecting the magnitude of his armament,
he despatched a soldier who had served in the Italian campaigns, and who
possessed an extensive knowledge of weapons and of the best method of
fixing points to lances, into the province of the Tchinantecs,[78*] where
some of our men had gone in search of gold mines. The Tchinantecs were
deadly enemies to the Mexicans, and had only a few days previously made
an alliance with us. This people used a species of lance, which was
much longer than our Spanish lances, and furnished with a sharp
double-edged point made of flint.[79]

Cortes had heard of this weapon, and sent word to the Tchinantecs to
forward him three hundred of such lances, from which however he desired
they would take off the flint points and substitute a double one of
metal, as they had abundance of copper in their country. The soldier who
was despatched with these orders took a pattern of the point required
with him. Cortes' wishes were readily complied with, and as the
inhabitants of every township of that province set diligently to work,
the lances were soon finished and they turned out most satisfactory.
Besides this, Cortes desired the soldier Tovilla to ask the Tchinantecs
to send 2000 of their warriors, all armed with similar lances, on Easter
day, into the district of Panguenequita,[80] and there make inquiries
for our camp. The caziques willingly complied with our request, and they
also gave Tovilla above 200 of their warriors, all armed with the same
lances, to accompany him now on his return to our camp. The rest were to
follow with another of our men, called Barrientos, who had been
despatched into their country in search of mines, and he may have been
from forty to forty-eight miles further inland. The lances which Tovilla
brought with him proved most excellent, and he immediately taught us how
to use them, particularly against the cavalry.

Upon this Cortes reviewed the whole of his troops, and we found,
including all the officers, drummers and pipers, without father Olmedo,
our numbers amounted to 260 men, among whom were five cavalrymen, a few
crossbow-men, less musketeers, and two artillerymen. Considering the
smallness of our numbers we reposed our greatest hopes in the use we
intended making of our lances, in which fortunately we were not
disappointed, as will afterwards be seen.

[78*] The real name of this province was Chinantla, but our author calls
the inhabitants Chichinatecas. (p. 310.)

[79] Hierro is the Spanish word for iron, and Bernal Diaz always uses
Hierro for the point of a lance; otherwise one would suppose,--when he
says of the Chinantecs, "Hizíeron los hierros muy mas perfetamente,"
etc., i.e. "they made the irons (points) much more perfect;"--that the
working of iron was known in the country long before the arrival of the
Spaniards; but it is evident, from what he says four lines below, that
these points were made of copper. (p. 311.)

[80] Panguenequita, probably another name for Tapanigueta. (p. 311.)

CHAPTER CXIX.

 _How Duero, with the soldier Usagre and two of his Indian servants
 from Cuba arrived in our camp; who this Duero was, and the reason of
 his visit, &c._

I must now trouble the reader to turn back to the first part of this
history where I explained how Cortes obtained the appointment of
commander-in-chief through the instrumentality of Duero and Amador de
Lares: both of whom were on the most confidential terms with Diego
Velasquez; the former as his private secretary, the second as royal
treasurer. They had by their joint exertions procured Cortes the
appointment, who, on his part, again promised to divide with them all
the gold, silver, and jewels which should fall to his share.

When Duero arrived in our camp he was convinced, from what he saw, of
the vast riches and power of Cortes, and he came not merely to bring
about a good understanding between both generals, but also to take
possession of his share of the acquired riches; as Amador de Lares had
died.

Cortes, who was a cunning and far-sighted man, promised Duero not only
vast treasures but a command, which would give him the same importance
with himself, and he would bestow a vast extent of territory upon him.
In consideration of which the latter was to engage to gain Augustin
Bermudez, and other chief officers, whose names I will not mention; who
were to swear upon their life and honour to oppose Narvaez in every way,
and thwart him in all his designs upon us. If Narvaez was killed or
taken prisoner, and his army defeated, all the gold and the townships of
New Spain were to be divided among the three. To this Bermudez was to be
bound down by affixing his signature to these conditions. In order,
however, to strengthen the number of their party, Duero took along with
him as much gold as two men could carry, besides a quantity of other
valuable things, for Bermudez, the two priests, Guevara and Juan de
Leon, and other chief personages who were to be let into the secret.
Cortes and Duero then carefully talked over how the matter was to be
carried out.

Duero arrived in our quarters on the eve of Easter day, and stayed until
the evening following. During this time he had several private
conversations with Cortes, and before mounting his horse he again called
upon the latter, who was heard to say on taking leave of him: "Well,
Señor Duero, may God bless you. Remember to abide by all you have
promised! Before three days have passed I shall be with my troops in
your head-quarters; if, however, I find you have not remained true to
your word, upon my conscience, (an oath he often used,) you will be the
first my lance shall pierce."

To which Duero answered smilingly: "You need be under no apprehension, I
assure you. Nothing shall be omitted on my part to further your ends."

Duero then mounted his horse and returned to Narvaez with the most
satisfactory accounts, and assured him that Cortes and all of us desired
nothing more ardently than to stand under his command. As soon as Duero
had left, Cortes sent for Juan Velasquez de Leon, one of his chief
officers, a man who had great authority, and although a near relative to
the governor of Cuba, was entirely devoted to Cortes. Cortes had also
gained him over to his interest by valuable presents and promises of an
important command in New Spain, even to raise him as high in command as
himself; and, indeed, Velasquez always evinced the most honest
attachment to our general, and was unremitting in his services to him,
as will sufficiently be seen hereafter.

When Velasquez de Leon came into Cortes' presence, and inquired his
commands, the latter said to him with a pleasing smile on his
countenance, "I have sent for you, Velasquez, because Duero had assured
me it is r

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