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againft Narvae^ and his forces, leaving Alvarado in the command of 

 the city. With him remained all thofe who were not inclined to go 

 with us, and alfo all thofe who we thought would be better from us» 

 as having an inclination towards Narvaez or Velafquez. We alfo left 

 a fufficiency of provifions, which was the more neceifary as the harvefl 

 had been deficient, owing to a want of rain. We ftrengthened our 

 quarters by a good pallifade, leaving eighty three foldiers, with four 

 large guns, twenty four mufquets and crofs-bows and feven horfes, to 

 keep in awe, the populous city of Mexico. 



Cortes having waited on Montezuma previous to our march, the 

 king queftioned him relative to his intention of marching againft Nar- 

 vaez, both being of the fame country, and vaffals of the fame monarch. 

 He alfo requefted to know if he could be of any fervice, expreffing his 

 apprehcnfion, from what he had heard of their fuperior numbers; and 

 he alfo alked of Cortes, an explanation relative to the charges brought 

 fey the new comers againft him and us, that we were outcafts and trai- 

 tors, and that the others were fent to bring us to punifhment. Cortes 

 chearfully replied, that he had not before fpoken to him on the fubjed; 

 'of his departure, becaufe he was convinced it would give his majefty 

 concern ; that it was true we were all valTals of the fame monarch, but 

 utterly falfe that we were traitors and fugitives, for oli the contrary, we 

 had come fully authorifed. That as for their deftroying us by their fu- 

 perior numbers, it did not depend upon them, but upon our Lord Jefus 

 Chrift, and his blelTed mother, who would fupport us ; and he alfo add- 

 ed, that as our monarch ruled many different countries, the inhabitants 

 of fome were more brave than thofe of others, and that we were all na- 

 tives of Old Caftille, and called true Caftillians, whereas our opponents 

 were commanded by a Bifcayan ; and that his majefty fhould foon fee the 

 difference between us, as he hoped with the bleffing of God, to bring 

 them back with him prifoners, and that our going fhould not therefore 

 give his majefty any uneaiinefs. He alfo exprelTed his hope, that 

 Montezuma would to his utmoft endeavour, prevent any infurredion 

 in the city, as he certainly would, on his return, make thofe who bc- 



B b haved 



