Page:The Mastering of Mexico.djvu/302

264 had carried off from Tepeaca had induced many more to join us. Now among Olid's three hundred soldiers were several followers of Narvaez, and as they went on their way some Indians told these Narvaez men that all the fields and houses in the country to which they were marching were filled with Mexican warriors—this and other hugger-mugger stories.

These men of Narvaez had from the beginning no liking for this new expedition, or again to taste fighting; rather they bent all their thoughts on getting back to Cuba. Their memories of the perilous flight from Mexico, and of their terrific battle in the fields, urged them so that they begged Olid to turn back, for this expedition would fail and every man of them perish. In vain the leader expostulated, Cortes' own soldiers standing behind all he said and agreeing there must be no retreat. The others refused to advance another step; and at last they so confused the mind of Olid that he turned back, and wrote Cortes the state of things.

The letter greatly angered Cortes and he sent two crossbowmen with a letter marvelling that an officer of Olid's strength and courage should fail to do what he had been ordered. When Olid read what Cortes had written, he shouted with chagrin, and bitterly reproached those who had led him into disobedience of commands. At once he issued orders for all to