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198 and he treated the chiefs so kindly, giving them green glass beads and promises, that they went back to their homes well contented. From what we saw it was evident that Umbria and his companions had not forgotten themselves in their journey, for they came back with pouches stuffed with gold.

Neither did Diego de Ordas return with empty hands. He likewise passed through large towns, where all the people paid him respect. But he met endless complaints of the cruelties and robberies of the Mexican troops stationed on the borders, and the caciques who were with him threatened that if the garrisons continued their misconduct, they should tell Montezuma, who would send them condign punishment. At the mouth of the Coatzacoalcos Ordas found a depth of three fathoms, but further up the river became deeper and more navigable. Here also Ordas received pledges from the people declaring themselves vassals of our king, and again he heard bitter complaints of Montezuma and his garrisons of warriors. Cortes and all of us joyfully received his return and report that the country was well adapted for cattle-breeding and farming, and the harbor, although full of shallows, excellently placed for trade with Cuba, Santo Domingo and Jamaica.

With respect to Pizarro, he came back with only one soldier, but he brought over a thousand grains of gold. In the province of Tustepec, he said, and