C 265 ) 



Sandoval, thinking that he had been the caufc of this misfortune; and 

 thus, without hearing him out, when he came to wait upon him, he 

 commanded his inftant return. This gave Sandoval pain, thinking that 

 he was unworthily treated by Cortes. However he was obliged to re- 

 turn to Chalco. On his arrival he found the bufmefs entirely over, 

 for the people of that province had fummoned their allies, and repulfcd 

 the Mexicans, fo that our countrymen returned with the prifoners to 

 head quarters. Cortes was delighted when he heard ^he event,, but San- 

 doval would not fpeak to him. The general made every apology, and 

 protefted that the whole was owing to a miflake, however, it is unne- 

 ceflary to fay any mdre upon the fubjed, as they (hortly after became as 

 good friends as ever. 



At this time, according to a general proclamation, the Indian Haves 

 were brought together in order to be marked. The reader is already 

 acquainted with the tranfad:ions at Tepeaca. It was if poffible worlc 

 now at Tezcuco. Firfl there was a fifth for his Majefty, then another 

 fifth for Cortes, and then the fhares of the captains. What was worft, 

 moft of the good female flaves had difappeared during the night ! it had 

 been promifed that they fhould be rated, and the proprietor charged ac- 

 cording to the value ; but the royal officers or commiffaries valued them 

 as they thought proper, fo that the poor foldier fell from bad to worfe. 

 The confequence of this was, that in future, to avoid lofing them thus, 

 the foldiers concealed their flaves or paiTed them as fervants and not pri- 

 foners of war, and thofe who were in favor with Cortes brought them 

 to be marked privately and paid the value to him. Thofe flaves who 

 fell to the lot of fuch mafters as treated them ill, or had the name of do- 

 ing fo, immediately deferted and were no more to be found; but the 

 owners always remained debtors for fo much upon their value in his 

 Majefty 's books, fo that many were in debt more than their fhare of 

 prifage of gold could pay off. 



At this time arrived a fhip, with arrns and gunpowder, from Old 

 Caflilk, in which /rame Julian de Alderete treafurer for the crown ; he 



M m was 



