would no longer show forbearance toward the traitor; he set a price on the head of Cortés, announced the estate of his followers to be confiscated, and proclaimed open war against them.[1]
Immediately after despatching his ultimatum Cortés broke camp and followed his messengers at a quick march.[2] At Rio de Canoas, or La Antigua, Velazquez came up with letters from Duero and others. They had probably been written under a preconcerted arrangement, for they were read to the leaders and discussed, the result being a unanimous resolution to advance. So forward they went, Cortés exclaiming, "Death to the ass or to him who drives it!"[3]
Crossing the swollen river with some difficulty,[4] he hurried on to Rio Chachalacas, over a league from Cempoala, where camp was formed quietly and without fires.[5] This sudden movement, coming immediately after Duero's interview with Cortés, confirms the supposition that a plot had been concocted by them, which was to surprise Narvaez under advantageous circumstances arranged by confederates. There were to be no half-way measures; all must be staked on one cast.[6]
- ↑ 'Daria dos mil pesos, a quien matasse a Hernando Cortes, o a Gonçalo de Sandoual.' Herrera, dec. ii. lib. x. cap. i. Traia mandado de Diego Velazquez que á mí y á ciertos de los de nmi compañía que. . . .nos ahorcase.' Cortés, Cartas, 121. Hizo proceso en forma contra Cortés, y por su sentencia, le condenó á muerte.' Ixtlilxochitl, Hist. Chich., 300; Gomara, Hist. Мех., 143, 146.
- ↑ 'Dende a dos horas que se partiô el Juan Velazquez,' says Bernal Diaz, Hist. Verdad., 95.
- ↑ Implying that since Narvaez would not listen to reason, Cortés or he should die. 'Velazquez dixo al. . .Cortes que adonde yva que yva a la carnesceria.' Testimonio, in Cortés, Residencia, i. 249; ii. 9, 50, 185-6. On the way to Rio de Canoas, where they arrived the day after leaving camp, two hogs, with navel on the back, were killed, an incident which many interpreted as a sign of victory. Velazquez having arrived with the messenger who carried the ultimatum, the army proceeded. Bernal Diaz, Hist. Verdad., 95. 'Anduvimos aquel dia casi diez leguas.' Tapia, in Icazbalceta, Col. Doc., ii. 588.
- ↑ Two men were drowned in crossing the stream. Herrera, dec. ii. lib. x. cap.ii.
- ↑ 'Dos leguas de los contrarios.' Tapia, Rel., in Icazbalceta, Col. Doc. 'Fuimos a dormir a vn riachuelo, adõde estava en aquella sazon vna puēte obra de vna legua de Cēpoal. Bernal Dias, Hist. Verdad., 96. Prescott here evidently follows the erroneous topography of Solis, who confuses this creek with Rio Canoas. Hist. Mex., ii. 85; Cortés, Residencia, i. 249; ii. 50.
- ↑ 'Como yo deseaba evitar todo escándalo, parecióme que scria el menos,
