( '98 ) 



would plunge our fvvords in his body. Cortes on hearing this applauded 

 our fpirit, faying, that he expeited no lefs, and adding a profufion of 

 promifes, and affurances that he would make us all rich and profperous. 

 He then, adverting to our intended attack, earneftly enjoined us to ob- 

 ferve the flridlefl: filence, faying, that to conquer in battle, prudence and 

 filence were more neceffary than excefs of bravery ; that he knew our ar- 

 dour induced all to ftrive who fhould be moft forward, and that it was 

 neceffary to diflribute us by companies, and to appoint to each his dif- 

 tind: duty. Accordingly, he ordered that in the attack the firft thing to 

 be done fhould be, to feize the artillery. For this duty he feledted fe- 

 vcnty foldiers, of which nurnber I was one, and put us under the com- 

 mand of Pizarro, an a6tive lad, whofe name however was at that time 

 as little known as that of Peru. He gave us alfo further orders, that as 

 foon as we were mafters of the guns, we fhould join and fupport the 

 <letachment which was to attack the quarters of Narvaez. This laft 

 mentioned duty he affigned to Sandoval, with feventy feledied men, and 

 as this captain was alfo alguazil major, he gave him a warrant to arreft 

 Narvaez, drawn up as follows. 



Gonzalo de Sandoval, alguazil major for his Majeflry in New 

 Spain. You are hereby commanded, to feize the body of Pamphilo de 

 Narvaez, and in cafe he makes refiflance, to put him to death; the 

 fame being neceffary to the fervice of God, and his Majefty, whofe 

 officer he has imprifoned. Given under my hand, at head quarters, 



Counter figned, ) Hernando Cortes 



Pedro Hernandez, Secretary. C 



Cortes alfo promifed to the firfl foldier who laid his hand on Nar- 

 vaez, thefumof three thoufand crowns, to the fecond, two thoufand, 

 and to the third, one thoufand, as he faid, to buy gloves. He appoint- 

 ed captain I. Velafquez de Leon to feize his relation Diego Velafquez, 

 with whom he had the quarrel, and gave him a detachment of feventy 

 foldiers, retaining twenty with himfelf, as a referve, to go wherever he 

 law moft occafion, and more particularly to fupport the attack upon the 



quarters 



