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216 and against all of us; and he said what he felt about it to us, and by rich presents and promises he won our pledge to stand by him.

Our captain, I have said, was a man who exercised such care and forethought that the smallest advantage did not escape him, and whatever difficulty he might be in he managed to put right. The facts must not be forgotten, however, that he had the good fortune to have trustworthy officers and soldiers who not only brought a powerful arm to battle, but also aided him with prudent advice. At that time, in the way of council, we all agreed that he should at once send letters by Indian couriers to Narvaez, in the most friendly way offering our services to do what he should command, and begging him not to excite rebellion in the land or permit the Indians to see any enmity among us. We wrote in this friendly tone because our numbers were so very small in comparison with his, and in order to get his good will and learn how he was inclined.

This letter of Cortes' sent by the courier duly reached Narvaez, and he for his part went about showing it to his officers and making merry at it, and even at us. One of his officers, named Salvatierra, reproved him, it was said, for even reading a letter from such a traitor as Cortes, saying he ought to march against us and not leave one of us alive; for his own, Salvatierra's, self, he swore, he would cut