# Myths and Legends Beyond Our Borders/The Willing Captive

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THE WILLING CAPTIVE
CORTZ hurried his departure for Mexico not merely because he was greedy for gain and power and feared the intervention of a jealous Cuban governor, but because it had been rumored that four Spaniards who had been wrecked on the mainland a few years before were held in slavery by the natives and compelled to suffer at the hands of their dusky masters. As soon as the conquerors had secured an interpreter and had gained the confidence of the districts they intended to pillage, inquiries were set afoot respecting the white cast-aways, and rewards of trinkets and friendship were offered for their safe conduct to Vera Cruz. Their captors, a tribe living southward from this port, wanted the trinkets, and presently appeared, bringing with them the four adventurers, who were well and hearty, in no wise the worse for their experience. Cortez distributed a few beads and bits of metal to the natives, and cordially welcomed his countrymen, promising ample gains to them if ​they would follow him, and hinting at punishment of the people with whom they had been living; but this latter offer was refused by the "slaves," who declared that the Indians had done no injury to them. When the time came for the return of the native company to their villages, one of the four men, who had been growing thoughtful and reserved, arose and prepared to go back with them. "How's this?" asked Cortez. "Have you left something with these people, Alvarez?"
"Yes," answered the man. "My heart." A shout of incredulous laughter went up from the troop at this.
"I beg you, captain and gentlemen, forgive me if I have something lost the fashion of nice speech in my five or six years with the natives, but let me tell you that you misprise some of the noblest attributes in human nature when you set down these men as savages. As you may know, sir captain, I was a bit of a scholar in Spain, and I came here full of contempt for these untaught sons of nature. But I soon had to own, with humility, that all knowledge is not in books, that all courage is not the soldier's courage, best of all, that happiness and content are not in the far future. I have shaped my way of life to that of this race, my people henceforth; not masters, but brothers. Warlike and passionate they are when dealing with enemies, but peaceful and loving at home. How is it with you? They live up to their laws ​at all times. How is it with you? They are free from all greed of possession and pride of place. How is it with you? You say they are heathen. Behind the symbols of their faith they see the same truths you affect to worship, and they do not make converts with cannon, sword, and rack. They use signs and images? Yes, but what do I see in the hands and on the girdles of your priests? You ask me to follow you, to share in the gold you intend to get, I can guess how. What will gold do for me? It will make toys for my children: nothing more. For I have taken a wife from among this people, and with them I cast my lot. You will risk life, health, some of you will risk honor, for the treasure of the Aztecs. I will keep life, health, and honor, for my treasure is won. Adieu." And, with a bow to Cortez, Alvarez beckoned to his Indians and strode away into the forest.