The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1895-04-14
CHAPTER XXXV
OF the Preparations We Made for the Struggle
and hyw Cortes Obtained Long Copper
Headed Spears From Chinantla, and We
Learned to Use Them Against Narvaez


1t will be remembered that Andreas de
Duero and Amador de lares had formed
a sort of partnership with Cortes Wheh
the latter obtained the command OF the
expedition. And now when Andreas de
Duero arrived in our camp he came under
pretense of arranging peace between
Cortes and Narvaez, but his real object
was to obtain his share of the treasure
Cortes had gained in Mexico. for Lares
had died in the meantime, and as Cortes
wins sagacious, he not only agreed to give
him his share of the treasure. but prom
ised that he should command equally
with himself. and that when the country
was conquered he would share equally
with him all the spoils, and he promised
to deal equally we'll with all the Captains
of Narvaez when the latter was either
dead or prisoner in his hands, and
loaded with gold two Cuban Indians
whom Duero brought with him, and he
sent presents OF gold to Augustin Ber-
mudez and other Captains OF Navaez and
to the priest Juan de Leon and the priest
Guevara, and he wrote loving letters to
those who were his friends in the camp OF
Narvaez. When Duero was about to de-
part he said to Cortes: What other com :
mands has your worship?' and Cortes re-
piled that he wished him God speed.
'And, look you, Senior Andreas de
Duero,' said Cortes. that you carry out
our plan as agreed on, or by my con-
science (this was the customary oath OF
Cortes) | will be in your camp in three
days and if you fail me you will be the
first one [ will pierce with my lance.
Whcreat Duero laughed and said Il will
fail in nothing that is for your worship s
interest and he then took his depart
ure. And when he arrived in the camp
of Narvaez he told him that Cortes and
all of lis were very willing to render our
selves.
When Duero had gone, Cortes sent for
Juan Veasquez de Leon. and when he
came he said to him. with a smile
'Senor Juan Velasquez, have sent for you
because Duero has told me that Narvaez
and his friends have said that if you
would only go over to their camp that
| would be easily conquered, and on this
account. for my life, II you love me, |
desire you to take your good roam mare
and all your ornaments OF gold and wear
your great gold chain on your shoulders
and the other chain also, and will give
you other things for those whom l will
name, and go to the camp of Narvaez and
sound him." To which Juan Nelas-
quez de Leon replied that he would do
whatever he was commanded. but that he
would not take his gold chains to the
camp of Narvaez, but that he would take
any gold chain given him by Cortes for
others, and that while he valued the in
terests of Cortes more than all the gold
and diamonds in the world, yet he did not
wish to wear his chains of gold in the
camp of Narvaez.
That your worship is my sincere de-
voted friend | believe" said Cortes
but unless you go as | have requested
do not want you to go at all. h"
And Juan Velasquez then said, LET it
be as your worship commands. Cortes
then spoke secretly to him for a long
time, and soon after Juan Velasquez lett
our camp accompanied by one of the
squires of Cortes namd Juan del Rio.
About two hours after the departure of
Juan Velasquez, Cortes ordered the drums
tc be beat and told Gonzalo de Sandoval,
who was Alguazil Mayor. to instantly ar
range our forces to march toward Gem
poal. And on our march we killed two
wild hogs, which we all considered q good
omen.
We camped that night near small
creek. and early next morning rec
menced our march, and about midday
we camped near river at the place where
now is the city of Vera Cruz.