Page:Don Coronado through Kansas.djvu/30

THE GOOD GOVERNOR MENDOZA. 19 many vessels and soldiers, because once before a Governor ba.d been sent to depose Cortes, but he captured them and refused to resign his rule of the immense and wealthy country vrhich he had conquer- ed, and the King of Spain did not know but the same thing would prevail, hence the necessity of making such a large display of force so as to convince the conqueror of the uselessness of opposition. The army duly reached Vera Cruz, it being the nearest port to the City of Mexico, which was 180 mUes distant, and the new Governor was duly install- ed, Cortes stepping down without opposition. And now Governor Mendoza, having the govern- ment in his hands, as well as occupying the palace where Motecuhzoma, King of the Aztecs, resided when the Spaniards first reached that country, and having the powers of an autocrat, aU important mat- ters were referred to him. About a year after the Viceroy's arrival at the capital, he and Coronado and some other state oflcers were in consultation when an officer of the guard came in, and after the usual military salutation an- nounced "that four men vdth a marvelous story desired audience with His Excellency." After some questioning the officer was ordered to bring the men into the presence of the Governor, and in a few minutes four men stood before the august assemblage. One of the four, Alonso del OastiEo Maldonado, whose home was in Salamanca, had known Coronado in that city, and that gentleman at once showed 'his pleasure in meeting a fellow- townsman; then Maldonado, having such a friend at