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tisfadlion ; after which they returned to Mexico, very well contented 

 with their vifit. 



Cortes at this time loft his horfe, whofe place he fupplied by that 

 called El Harriero : he was a dark chefnut and one of the beft that were 

 brought to New Spain. The embaffy fent by Montezuma had the 

 greateft efFedl on the people of thofe countries, for faid they how formi- 

 dable muft thofe Teules be, whom even the great Montezuma fears!! 



The fat cacique now waited on Cortes, to complain of the out- 

 rages committed by a garrifon of Mexican troops which occupied a 

 town called Cingapacinga, nine leagues diftant from the place where 

 we were. After fome confideration, Cortes laughing faid to thofe about 

 him, Gentlemen you fee that thefe people eftecm us to be a fuperior 

 *• race of beings, let us encourage the prejudice, and imprefs them 

 *' with the idea that one of us is enough to drive an army before him. 

 •* For this purpofe I will fend old Heredia the Bifcayan mulketeer, 

 *' whofe fierce and fcarred face, great beard, one eye, and lame leg, 

 " will terrify them.'* This man had been a foldier in Italy. Cortes 

 told him when he had got as far as the river to fire a muiket as a fignal, 

 for he did this only to try how far the credulity of the Indians in our 

 favor would carry them. Heredia being prcfent, he called to the ca- 

 ciques faying, " Go with this Teule, whom I fend to kill or make pri- 

 •* foners all your enemies,*' The caciques fet out with their party ac- 

 cordingly, being headed by the old foldier, who went firing his mufket 

 before them out of the town. As foon as he arrived at the river he 

 gave the fignal, and Cortes fent to ftop them, having fufficiently tried 

 their faith, and when they returned he informed them that it was his 

 intention to proceed againft their enemies with his whole force. 



When the foldiers were warned for this duty, thofe of the party of 

 Velafquez refufed to obey orders, faying, that they would go on no ex- 

 pedition, but infifted on returning to the Ifland of Cuba. The number 

 of mutineers who openly declared themfelves was fevcn^ when thefe 



were 



