Page:Letters of Cortes to Emperor Charles V - Vol 2.djvu/319

 the enemy would the sooner perceive our weakness, which would augment our danger.

It pleased our Lord that it should happen thus, for, after remaining a long time in that square, I entered with my people into one of those large halls, and sent others out into the town to report if they saw anyone. They never encountered anyone, but, on the contrary, they entered many houses and found the fires still burning, and a large stock of provisions, which pleased them greatly; so we remained there that night with every possible precaution. At daybreak, we explored the whole town, which was well laid out, the houses being very well built, and close together. We found a great deal of cotton in them, some woven, and some ready for weaving, also clothing, and a large quantity of dried maize, cacao, beans, pepper, and salt, besides many fowls and pheasants in cages, partridges, and dogs of the species they raise to eat (and which are exceedingly good); and every other variety of provisions to such an extent that, had we had the ships where we could load them, I would have regarded myself as well provided for many a day. But to avail ourselves of them we would have had to carry them on men's backs twenty leagues, while we were in such a condition that we had enough to do to carry ourselves back to the ships without taking other loads, for, had we not rested there for some days, we should have been unable to return to our boats.

The next day, I sent for a native of the place who had been captured near the plantations, and who seemed a person of importance, for he had his bow and arrows for hunting, and was well dressed, according to their fashion. I spoke to him through an interpreter I had, telling him to go to the chief and his people and say to them that I had not come to do them any harm, but rather to tell them some things which were expedient for them to know, and to say that the chief or some other