The herald., 1895-02-17

| love with young lady named Dona Cab
| aida Juarez, who was also admired by
| his superior and who subjected him to
| terrible prosecutions on account or MS
amours. Cortes was imprisoned and then
| incarcerated in a ship and chained. He
escaped and swimming to shore took ref
uge in a sanctuary. Subsequently he
married the lady OF his choice and be-
| came the foremost man in Cuba.
Whatever may be said of Cortes as a
| brave and undaunted warrior, much OF his
personal qualities show decided defects of
| his character. He was more than cruel to-
ward his enemies, and his greed of plum
der led him to many acts that deserved
the severest censure. Yet he was man
who was beloved and respected by those
surrounding him and over whom he exer-
csed an irresistible influence.
Cortes embarked at San Jago, the Cuba
of 1918, with a squadron of eleven small
vessels, carrying ITO sailors and $50 sol
diers. After some unimportant expert
ences Cortes landed at the Tabasco River,
where he spent Palm Sunday and where
high mass was celebrated. At the end of
March, 1919, word was received by Monte
yuma that the white men were at the
plateau of Anahuac, and demanded imme-
diate audience.
In order to make himself popular with
the natives, Cortes allowed himself to be
decorated with the ornaments belonging to
the god Juetzalcoatl, and the populace be-
came convinced that it was their deity,
who had returned to them. He soon re-
ceived orders from Montezuma to depart,
he himself having retired to the mount
aims Instead OF acting upon the Kings
orders, Cortes found valuable allies in the
natives, and he at once established the
site of Vera Cruz and declared himself
Captain general of his forces.
He soon received an invitation to visit
the Cacique OF Canpoalan, and Cortes was
not slow in leaving the hot and sandy
shores of the Gulf of Mexico for fresh air
and better climate. He was received with
great honors, and during his stay learned
of the existence of the republic of Flax
Gala, hostile to Mexico, and Immediately
resolved to avail himself of these people II
necessary. He resolved to visit that coun
try, and started on his march in 1919.
He was received well enough by the
people, but an army of Otomis, tribe
friendly to the Tlaxcalans, did not APP
prove of the invasion and gave Cortes
battle, and on the 9th of September, 1919,
the first real struggle between the army
of the New World and the descendants OF
an ancient race took place.
Cortes won and the defeated warriors
returned to their city to consult their
oracle. The latter announced that Cortes
army was composed of children of the
sun and invincible during the day, but
that at night they would lose their
strength, and be like other mortals. Act
ing upon this advice Cortes was attacked
the next night, but was again victorious.
Peace was declared, the republic recog-
nized as a vassal to the crown of CASTLE
and Cortcs established the Christian reli-
gion among the tribe. He insisted upon
the abolition of human sacrifices and eel
ebrated the first mass, upon which occa-
sion many young girls were baptized.
Cortes had now determined to conquer
Mexico, and at once commenced the
march to the capital city. He was met
by Montezuma, who offered him costly
presents, magnificent carpets were spread
on the grounds and other tokens of
friendship were offered. The Spaniard
was invited to the palace at Axayacatl
and he gladly accepted the hospitality.
Cortes' first endeavor after gaining Mon
tezuma' friendship was to have the lat
ter embrace the Catholic religion and be-
come subject of the King of Spain.
Cortes had nearly accomplished his pur-
pose and succeeded in the abdication of |
Montezuma, when he was called back to |
Vera Cruz, where Narvaez, an emissary |
from the Governor of Cuba had landed |
with directions to disposses him of his |
command. He surprisa ed the ewcomer,
seized the horses of his command and at
once returned to Mexico. Here he found
matters changed through the poor policy
of the man he had left in command but |
he was too smart and brave man TO be
foiled. He made Montezuma address the
Mexicans and plead for them, but his
people assaulted their monarch and re-
fused to obey his commands.
Seeing that his presence was unsafe he
resolved to abandon the city, and with his |
army left on the night of July l. l520. He |
was attacked by the Mexicans, but es-
capped and fell under a large tree, where |
he reviewed the extent of his misfortune. |
II 1l,,lt 81. 4