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CHAPTER VIII. 



Return of Cortes to Mexico; occurrences there. Return 

 oj the author to Mexico. 



-AlFTER five days refrefhment at the Havannah, Cortes embarked, 

 and in twelve days arrived at the Port of MedelHn, oppofite to the If- 

 land De los Sacrificios, vt^here he difembarked with twenty foldiers, and 

 proceeding to the town of San Juan de Ulua, which was diftant about 

 half a league, it was his fortune to light upon a firing of horfes and 

 mules which had conveyed travellers to the coaft, and which he engag- 

 ed to take him to Vera Cruz. He ordered thofe about him to give no 

 hint to any one, who he was, and two hours before day break arriving 

 at the town, he went dire6tly to the church the doors of which were 

 juft opened. When the facriflan faw the church filled with people 

 whom he did not know, he became alarmed and ran into the ftreet, 

 calling to the civil power to afiift him. The alcaldes, three alguazils 

 and fome of the neighbours came with arms in confequence of the noife. 

 Cortes was fqualid, and the white habit of the reverend father was 

 dirty from the fea voyage, nor did any one recoiled: them until Cortes 

 began to fpeak; but as foon as he was recognized by them, they all 

 fell upon their knees, killed his hands, and bid him and his attendants 

 welcome. . All his old fellow foldiers alTembled around him, and after 

 mafs, efcorted him to the quarters of Pedro Moreno Medrano, where 

 he remained for eight days, during which time he was feafted and en- 

 tertained by the inhabitants. Intelligence was alfo fent to Mexico to 

 give the people there the joyful tidings, and Cortes wrote to his friends 

 to the fame effed. The Indians of the neighbourhood brought him 



abundant 



