( 43' ) 



arrived at its deftination, and Orantes on landing difguifed himfelf as a 

 labourer. On his journey he avoided the Spaniards, lodging and mix- 

 ing only with the natives. Thofe who had known him before could 

 not have recognized him, after an abfence of two years and three months. 

 To fuch as queftioned him he faid, that his name was Juan de Fiech- 

 illa ; in this manner, being an adive man, he arrived in . four days at 

 Mexico, and entering the city after dark, he proceeded diredly to the 

 lodgings of the reverend fathers Francifcans. On being admitted, he 

 there found the Alvarados and leveral of the friends of Cortes, conceal- 

 ed. Whefi he had explained who he was, and produced the general's 

 letters, all prefent,-^he reverend fathers not excepted, danced for joyj 

 they immediately ^6cked the gates of the monaftery, to exclude the 

 obfervation of the traitorous party, and at midnight the intelligence was 

 communicated to the treafurer, the contador, and many of the friends 

 of Cortes, who immediately alTembled at the Francifcans. 



It was then determined by them, as the firfl: flep, to feize on the 

 perfon of the factor in the morning. All the intermediate time was 

 employed in collecting arms and friends, and making other preparations 

 for the purpofe. The veedor was at that period at the rock of Coatlan. 

 At day break the whole party marched to the palace inhabited by the 

 factor, crying, ** long live his Majefty, and Hernando Cortes," When 

 this was heard by the citizens, they all took to their arms, thinking it 

 fomething wherein government called for their affiftance, and numbers 

 under that idea joined the treafurer on his march. As to the contador, 

 he played a double part, giving intelligence to the factor to put him on 

 his guard, and Eftrada reproached him ftrongly for his condud:. 



When the party of Cortes approached the relidence of the fadtor, 

 they found that he was already well prepared, owing to the informacion 

 that he had received. His artillery under Don Luis de Guzman was 

 planted in front of the houfe, and he had a ftrong garrifon within fide. 

 Thofe with the treafurer forcing their way in, fome by the different 

 doors, others by the terraces and wherever they could get acctfs, all at 



the 



