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" and fix yourfelf with Narvaez immediately, and diftribute the gold 

 *' I give you according to my diredions." Velafquez replied, that 

 he would willingly obey his ordei in every thing but one, which was 

 that of taking his treafure with him. To which Cortes anfwered that 

 he believed as much, but that he did not wiHi him to go on other terms 

 than what he had mentioned. De Leon ftill however continued firm 

 in what he had faid, and after a fecret conference fet out for Cempoal. 

 In about two hours after the departure of Velafquez, Cortes ordered the 

 drum to be beat to arms, whereon our little army affembled, and we fet 

 forward on our march. On our way we killed two wild hogs, which 

 our foldiers faid was a good omen. We flept all that night by the fide 

 of a rivulet, according to cuftom the ground our bed and flones our 

 pillows, and next day arrived at the river and place where the city of 

 Vera Cruz is now built, but which was at that time an Indian village, 

 and planted with trees. As it was about midday and the weather very 

 fultry, we repofed here for the prefent, being much fatigued by the 

 weight of our arms and lances. 



Captain de Leon arrived by day break at the town of Cempoal. 

 The Indians were overjoyed to fee him and circulated the news of his 

 Arrival, fo that Narvaez heard of it, and immediately thereon came out 

 to embrace him. Velafquez having paid his compliments faid, that he 

 only came in the hopes of making an amicable arrangement between 

 him and Cortes; upon which Narvaez taking him aiide, a:lkcd hirrl 

 how he could talk of treating with any fuch traitor. Velafquez re- 

 plied, that Cortes was a faithful and zealous officer of his majeft}^, 

 and defired that no fuch epithet fhould be applied to him in his pre- 

 fence. Narvaez however perfiiled, offering, if he would renounce 

 Cortes, to make him the fecond in command; to which Velafquez 

 replied that he fhould be unpardonable in quitting one who had done 

 fo much for the fervice of his God and king. By this time all th^ 

 principal officers had arrived to falute Velafquez, who was a favorite 

 amongft them, being a very polite and welj bred gentleman, of a. 

 fine figure and perfon, and he now wore a great gold chain which 



made 



