Page:The Mastering of Mexico.djvu/111

Rh should explore the country more thoroughly, and we must make shift for the time being to get and eat the maize the Indians had. By such reasonings Cortes seemingly quieted the partisans of Diego Velasquez. But they still held secret meetings and set on foot plans to bring about our return to Cuba.

Cortes on his part was no less active, for he had determined to be appointed captain general. I was drawn into the affair in this wise: One night Puertocarrero and Escalante, in company with Lugo, who was born in the same town with me and to whom I was related, came about midnight to my hut and said, "Bernal Diaz, take your arms and come out. We are making the rounds." I joined them, and when we were at a little distance from my hut they began, "We want to tell you something of greatest importance, but you must keep it secret and see to it that none of the Velasquez clique, who mess with you, find it out. We are of opinion that Cortes is not doing the right thing for us. In Cuba he proclaimed that he was going to found a colony, and now we find he has no power to do so, but only to barter for gold and then go back to Cuba with what we have gained. Now if Cortes does all this, we are ruined men, for Diego Velasquez will act just as he did before, pocket the gold. Think a moment, sir. This is the third time that you have come to this country, spent all you had and risked your life