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made as to his death, God pardon him his fins ! Cortes appointed other 

 officers to complete the preparations for his voyage. He offered by pro- 

 clamation a free paflage to all fuch Spaniards as obtained a permiffion 

 from the government to go to Caftille, and a fupply of provifions to 

 them on the voyage. 



All things being ready, and having confeffed and comulgated, he 

 embarked in company with Sandoval, Tapia, and other cavaliers, and 

 after a voyage of forty one days arrived in Europe, difembarking near 

 the town of Palos; as foon as he fet his foot on fhore he fell on his 

 knees, to return thanks to God for his mercies. His arrival in Old 

 Spain was in the month of December in the year one thoufand five hun- 

 dred and twenty feven. To good fortune fucceeded grief, by the death 

 of the brave Captain Sandoval, after a lingering ficknefs, at his lodg- 

 ings in the houfe of a rope maker at Palos, who, in his prefence, rob- 

 bed him of thirteen bars of gold. This rogue perceiving his weak fitu- 

 ation, fent his fervants on a pretended meffage from Sandoval to Cortes, 

 who was then at Nueftra Senora de la Ravida, and having the houfe to 

 himfelf, went into Sandoval's room, and breaking open his cheft, took 

 out the gold, while our poor friend lay in bed unable to refift him, and 

 apprehenfive, if he made any outcry, that the fellow would fmother 

 him in the bedclothes. As foon as he had got the gold he made his 

 efcape with it into Portugal, where he could not be purfued. Cortes 

 fhortly after arrived, and was informed of what had happened, but 

 purfuit was too late. Sandoval then grew worfe every hour, and the 

 phyficians recommended confefiTion^ which being done, and having 

 received the holy facrament, in a fhort time after he gave up the ghofi:, 

 but not before he had made a will, whereby he left his property to a 

 fifter who afterwards married a natural fon of the Count de Medelin. 

 Sandoval died univerfally regretted. His funeral was attended by a great 

 ^rain of mourners, among whom was -Cortes, God pardoi> him his 

 fins! amen. 



Cortes 



