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of their having preyed on each other; and certainly never cxiftcd fincc 

 the creation a people which fufFered fo much from hunger, thirft, and 

 warfare. 



After having returned thanks to God, Cortes determined to cele- 

 brate his fuccefs by a feftival in Cuyoacan; a veffel had arrived at Villa 

 Rica with a cargo of wine, and hogs had been provided from the Ifland 

 of Cuba. To this entertainment he invited all the officers of his army, 

 and alfo the foldiers of eftimation, and all things being prepared, on 

 the day appointed, we waited on our general. When we came to fit 

 down to dinner there were not tables for one half of us ; this brought 

 on great confufion among the company, and indeed for many reafons it 

 would have been much better let alone. The plant of Noah was the 

 caufe of many fooleries and worfe things ; it made fome leap over the 

 tables who afterwards could not go out at the doors, and many rolled 

 down the fteps. The private foldiers fwore they would buy horfes w^ith 

 golden harnefs ; the crofsbow-men would ufe none but golden arrows ; 

 all were to have their fortunes made. When the tables were taken away 

 the foldiers danced in their armour, with the ladies, as many of them 

 as there were, but the difproportion in numbers was very great. This 

 fcene was truly ridiculous. I will not mention the names, fuffice it to 

 fly a fair field was opened for fatire. Fray De Olmedo thought what 

 he obferved at the feaft, and in the dances too fcandalous, and com- 

 plained to Sandoval ; and the latter diredly told Cortes how the reverend 

 father was fcolding and grumbling. Cortes, difcreet in all his ad;ions, 

 then came to him and affed:ing to difapprove the whole, requefted that 

 he would order a folemn mafs and thankfgiving, and preach a fermon 

 to the foldiers on the moral and religious duties. Fra Bartholome was 

 highly pleafed at this, thinking it had originated fpontaneoufly from 

 Cortes, and not knowing that the hint had been given him by Sandoval. 

 Accordingly, the crucifixes and the image of our Lady were borne in fo- 

 lemn proceflion, with drums and ftandards; the litany was fung during 

 the ceremony, Fra Bartholome preached and adminillered the facramcnt, 

 and we returned thanks to God for our victory. 



S s a Cortes 



