entire confidence of the troops. Cortes had such
talents for gaining friends, that he even prevailed
on Pedro Lasso to enrol himself under his command,
though one of the messengers who carried the orders
of Velasquez. Cortes wrote to the governor by
the other messenger, giving the strongest assurances,
of his fidelity and attachment, and earnestly entreating
him not to listen to the calumnies of his enemies,
or the ridiculous predictions of the old fool Millan
the astrologer. During twelve days that we remained
at Trinidad, every exertion was made in preparing for
our departure; and among others, all the smiths in
the place were employed in making arrow-heads for
our cross-bows, and Cortes engaged them all to accompany
the expedition. Leaving Trinidad, the fleet was
ordered to sail for the Havanna by the south course,
except one ship under Juan de Escalente, which was
sent by the northern course. Such of the companions
as chose, were allowed to march by land for the Havanna,
under the command of Alvarado, of which permission
I and fifty more availed ourselves, having to pick
up several volunteers who were expected to join from
different settlements that lay on our route. All
the ships arrived safe at the Havanna, except that
in which Cortes was embarked, and we who marched by
land were there seven days before we could learn what
had become of our commander. We were afraid his
ship had been lost among the shoals of
Los Jardines,
and it was proposed to send three ships in search of
him: But there was no one to command, and factious
disputes arose about the choice of a lieutenant or
substitute during his absence, in which intrigues Diego
de Ordas was particularly busy. At length Cortes
arrived, his ship having grounded on a shoal, but
fortunately near the shore, so that they got her off
by lightening her of part of her cargo.
Cortes took his quarters at the Havanna in the house
of Pedro Barba, who commanded there for Velasquez,
erecting his standard, and beating up for volunteers.
He was here joined by Francisco de Montejo, Diego de
Soto, Angula, Garci Caro, Sebastian Rodriquez, Gutierrez,
Rojas, not he commonly called the wealthy, a lad named
Santa Clara, two brothers named Los Martinez de Frexenal,
and Juan, de Najara, not the deaf man of the tennis
court in Mexico. These were all men of quality,
besides whom there were many others whose names I
do not now remember. Diego de Ordas was sent to
the governors estate at Guaniguanico, to procure a
farther supply of bread and bacon, and to wait there
till he received farther orders, on purpose to keep
him out of the way, as Cortes knew he had shewn himself
adverse to his interest while he was absent.
The artillery, consisting of ten brass field-pieces
and four falconets, were brought on shore to inspect
and complete its equipment, and placed under the charge
of four gunners, named Meza, Arbenga, Catalan, and
Usagre. The cross-bows were ordered to be inspected,
all their cords, nuts, and arrows to be put in complete