Cortés cared little for Garays or boundaries; but he would by no means object to a few more Spaniards to take the place of those he had hanged, and of others whom he might yet be obliged to hang. To this end he converted perforce to his cause the notary and his attendants. Then learning from them that Pineda could on no account be prevailed on to land for a conference, Cortés signalled to the vessels with the hope that nmore men would come on shore. This failing, he bethought himself of letting three of his men exchange clothes with the new-comers and approach the landing, while he marched back with the rest in full view of the vessels. As soon as it grew dark, the whole force returned to hide near the spot. It was not till late the following morning that the suspicious Pineda responded to the signals from shore, and sent off a boat with armed men. The trio now withdrew behind some bushes, as if for shade. Four Spaniards and one Indian landed, armed with two firelocks and two cross-bows, and on reaching the shrubbery they were pounced upon by the hidden force, while the boat pushed off to join the vessels all ready to sail.[1]
- ↑ El uno (of the captured ones) era maestre de la una nao, é puso fuego á la escòpeta, é matara al capitan de la Veracruz, sino que á la mecha le faltó el fuego.' Ovielo, iii. 263. Bernal Diaz, in a less intelligent account of the capture, states that only two men landed. 'Por manera que se huuieron de aquel Nauio seis soldados .... Y esto es lo que se hizo, y no lo que escriue el Coronista Gomara.' Hist. Verdad., 41. But Cortés' version must surely be the best, since it was related shortly after the occurrence, and by an immediate participator in the events.
