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to perform, and I recollecl they immediately hereupon began, much 

 againft his will and endeavours, to fumigate Efcalante with their in- 

 cenfe. This officer was placed here in order to repel any attempts 

 which might be made by Velafquez, as he was thoroughly attached to 

 the intereft of Cortes. Gomara here afferts that Cortes dared not pub- 

 lilh to the foldiers his intention of marching to Mexico. I beg to be 

 informed what is the difpofition of a Spaniard ? Or when it ever hap- 

 pened that he was not ready to march forward ? He alfo errs where he 

 fays Pedro de Ircio remained commandant in Vera Cruz. I fay again 

 that Juan de Efcalante was captain, and alfo alguazil major. Pedro de 

 Ircio was not fit to be a corporal, nor is it juH to take from one what 

 belongs to him, and give it to another. 



After having rendered the veflels unfervic^ble, but hot privately 

 as Gomara alTerts, being one morning alTembled after mafs, and con- 

 verfing on military affairs with Cortes, he defired our attention, and 

 addrelfed us, faying, " We now knew the bufinefs which was before 

 " us j that with the aid of our Lord we fliould conquer, and it was 

 *' necelTary to do fo, for in cafe of a defeat there was no efcape ; nor 

 " had we any fupport but in our valour, and the mercy of God. " To 

 this he added many comparifons of our fituation with thofe drawn from 

 the hiftory of the ancient Romans. We one and all replied, *' That we 

 " were prepared to obey himj that the lot was now caft, let fortunp 

 take what turn fhe would, as Caefar faid in paffing the Rubicon, for 

 *' that all our fervices were devoted to God and his Majefty." Cortes 

 then addrefled us again in a very eloquent and impreffive fpeech, which 

 having concluded, he called for the fat cacique, and having informed 

 him of our determination, he injoined him to take care of our church, 

 and holy crofs. 



When we were juft ready to depart, a foldier arrived with a letter 

 to Cortes from Juan de Efcalante, whereby he was informed that a 

 ftrange (hip was then at anchor in a river three leagues diftant from 

 Villa Rica, and that he could not obtain any anfwer to his fignals 



from 



