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es had demanded of the
 caziques there, arrived at Sempoalla after Narvaez's defeat._

Late in the evening of the same day on which we had gained the victory
over Narvaez, the 2000 Indian troops arrived which Cortes had requested
the caziques of Chinantla to send us. They came under the command of
their caziques, and one of our soldiers named Barrientos, and marched
into Sempoalla in the best military order possible, two abreast. They
were all tall and powerful men, armed with their immense-sized lances
and huge shields; every lancer was followed by a bowman. In this manner,
under the sound of drums and trumpets, they marched in, with their
feathers waving on their head and their colours flying, and continually
cried out, "_Long live the emperor! long live Cortes!_" They made such a
grand show, that though they were only 2000 in number, one would have
thought at first sight there had been 3000. Narvaez's men were not a
little astonished when they beheld these men, and remarked to each other
that they would have fared worse if they had had to encounter these
people, or if they had joined us in the attack.

Cortes received the Chinantlan chiefs most kindly, thanked them for the
trouble they had put themselves to, and desired them to return to their
homes, after presenting them with various things of Spanish manufacture.
Barrientos likewise returned with them, and Cortes particularly
admonished him not to allow these Indians to commit any depredations in
the townships they passed through.

CHAPTER CXXIV.

 _How Cortes despatches Francisco de Lugo, with two men who had
 formerly been ship-builders, to the harbour where Narvaez's flotilla
 lay, to bring all the captains and pilots of the vessels to
 Sempoalla._

After the whole of Narvaez's troops had been disarmed, Cortes despatched
Francisco de Lugo to the harbour where the flotilla lay, in order to
bring all the captains and pilots of the eighteen vessels to Sempoalla.
He was likewise to convey on shore all the sails, rudders, and
compasses, so as to render it impossible for the governor of Cuba to
gain any information respecting the fate of his armament. Whoever
refused to submit to Lugo was immediately to be thrown into chains.
Cortes likewise ordered the latter to bring along with him a certain
Sancho de Barahona, whom 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 we had taken, as Narvaez had declared a war of
extermination against us; had literally come with the intention to
destroy us, and rob us of all our property; besides that, we, the
well-deserving servants of the emperor, had been branded by him with the
name of traitors. Cortes, however, was determined upon this point, and
as we had elected him our captain-general, we could not do less than
obey him. I myself had taken possession of two swords, three daggers,
and a target, all of which I had to return.

Alonso de Avila, who was a captain, and one who durst speak out boldly
to Cortes, privately reproached him, in conjunction with father Olmedo,
for acting thus; and remarked to him, that he was performing the part of
Alexander the Macedonian, who, whenever he gained a splendid victory,
rewarded and honoured the vanquished instead of the officers and
soldiers who had procured him the victory. They had every reason to make
this observation, as we had to look quietly on and see Cortes give all
the provisions and valuable matters, which the Indians of the
surrounding country brought in as presents, to the officers of the
vanquished general, and leave us unnoticed. This they maintained was not
acting justly, and had every appearance of ingratitude towards them, who
by their valour had raised him to the proud position in which he then
stood.

Cortes, who was never wanting for an answer, replied, that for all he
possessed he was indebted to us; but under existing circumstances he
could not act otherwise. It was for the advantage of all to gain the
troops of Narvaez by fair words, presents, and promises; their numbers
were too great in comparison to ours; and if they were once to rise up
in anger, they might easily put us all to the sword.

To this Avila replied in a very haughty manner, which obliged Cortes to
exclaim, "Those who do not feel inclined to obey are at liberty to leave
my standard; Spanish women bring forth sufficient children into the
world, and every son is a soldier in Spain!"

"That is very true," answered Avila, rather disrespectfully; "and among
these sons there are also numbers of generals and governors as well as
soldiers."

As matters then stood, Cortes was compelled to put on the 

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