EXPEDITION DEPARTS UNDER CORTEZ. 



21 



vain; — whilst Cortez, in reply to Velasquez, "implored his 

 Excellency to rely on his boundless devotion to the interests of his 

 Governor, but assured him, nevertheless, that he and his fleet, by 

 divine permission, would sail on the following day ! " 



Accordingly, on the 18th of February, 1519, the little squadron 

 weighed anchor, with one hundred and ten mariners, sixteen horses, 

 five hundred and fifty-three soldiers, including thirty-two crossbow- 

 men and thirteen arquebusiers, besides two hundred Indians of the 

 island and a few native women, for menial offices. The ordnance 

 consisted of ten heavy guns, four lighter pieces or falconets, 

 together with a good supply of ammunition. 



With this insignificant command and paltry equipment, Her- 

 nando Cortez, at the age of thirty-three, set sail for the conquest 

 of Mexico. He invoked on his enterprise the blessing of his 

 patron, Saint Peter; — he addressed his followers in the language 

 of encouragement and resolution ; — he unfurled a velvet banner 

 on which was emblazoned the figure of a crimson cross amid 

 flames of blue and white, and he pointed to the motto which was 

 to be the presage of victory : " Friends, let us follow the Cross ; 

 and under this sign, if we have faith, we shall conquer ! " 



