Page:The Mastering of Mexico.djvu/333

Rh were to serve as rowers, six on each side of each sloop. Therefore each sloop carried twenty-five men with cannon and powder.

In choosing men to row, Cortes could not find enough sailors. He therefore asked who went out a-fishing every day, and if these fishers came from any port in Spain celebrated for its sailors, he commanded them to service of the sloops. Many who were men of noble birth protested to Cortes that he would not think of insulting them by setting them to such work. But under threat of heavy penalties he made them go and row, and in this way mustered one hundred and fifty capital oars.

Next Cortes published the articles of war:—First of all no one should dare blaspheme our Lord Jesus Christ or his blessed mother. Our Lady, or the holy apostles, or any other saint. Second:—No man was to ill-use our allies, or take anything from them, even booty; for we were to bear in mind that they joined us at our request. Third:—No soldier, day or night, should leave our camp for any purpose whatever, even to fetch food from a town. Fourth:—Every soldier must wear good armor, well quilted, a neck guard, head piece, leggings and shield, for defence from javelins, stones and darts of our enemy. Fifth:—No man should gamble for horses or arms. Lastly:—No soldier should lie down to rest unless he were fully armed and wearing sandals