Page:The Mastering of Mexico.djvu/271

Rh pledge themselves to Cortes who, with us standing round him, was seated in a armchair, an orange-colored robe covering his armor. The serenity and joy of his face and the gracious words he spoke as he welcomed them, were very notable. And how cheerful he was! He indeed had good cause, seeing himself that moment so raised to power. After the horsemen had given their fealty each one passed to his quarters.

I must not omit to say that Cervantes and Escalona, who had deserted to Narvaez, fared badly, for Escalona suffered severe wounds and Cervantes by order of Cortes was well whipped. Of the braggadocio, Salvatierra, his soldiers said that never in all their lives had they seen a more cowardly man, or one so alarmed at the chance of death, as when he heard the first clash of arms. And when we cried, "Victory! Victory! Narvaez is fallen!" he promptly said he was sick at the stomach and threw down his arms.

After the whole of Narvaez' troops had been disarmed, Cortes directed Francisco de Lugo to go to the port where the fleet of the defeated commander lay and order all the masters and mates of the ships to put sails, rudders and compasses ashore, so that they could not carry news to Diego Velasquez in Cuba, and to come to Cempoala. The mates and masters promptly came and pledged themselves to