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red, a foldier named Alonzo Ortiz obtained from him permiflion to fet 

 off with the news, in order to get a reward. He accordingly in a fhort 

 time reached us, and by his intelligence rejoiced us all. Cortes pre- 

 fented him with an excellent horfe named Moor's- head, and each, of us 

 gave him fomething proportionate to our abilities. Sandoval arrived a 

 fhort time after, and informed us that they were preparing to embark, 

 for the Ifland of Cuba, and how they had hanged their commanding 

 officer, for oppofing them and alfo becaufe he had hanged a turbulent 

 prieft: as alfo that they had elected one Anthonio Niote in his 

 place. 



Cortes ilTued an order to march immediately for the fea coaft, 

 which was diftant fix leagues, and we had an inlet of the fea to pafs. 

 We were therefore obliged to wait till low water, a^d then crofs it, 

 wading and fwimming. Cortes puflied forwards with his attendants, 

 and crofTed the river in the two canoes, fwimming the horfes by the fide 

 of them ; but he found it fo dangerous from the violence of the current, 

 that .he fent word to us not to attempt to follow him until farther 

 orders. 



The place where Avila's fettlers now were, was about two leagues 

 diftant from where Cortes landed. They were greatly furprifed at the 

 appearance of Europeans, and more fo when they found that it was the 

 general fo renowned through all thefe countries. Cortes received their 

 congratulations in the moft gracious manner, and defired them to bring 

 together what canoes they could colled:, as alfo the boats belonging to 

 their (hips, and to provide bread for the ufe of his people. Of this laft 

 article only fifty pounds could be procured, for they lived almoft entire- 

 ly on fapotes, vegetables, and what fifh they caught. We were four 

 days paffing the river, with the greateft danger. One foldier with his 

 horfe went to the bottom, and never appeared afterwards. Two other 

 horfes were alfo loft ; one of them belonged to a foldier named Cafquete, 

 who heartily curfed Cortes and his expedition, for the ill fortune he had 

 brought upon him. 



The 



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