Page:The Mastering of Mexico.djvu/68

40 this, Cortes aimed to be every day at the governor's side, to show his zeal in serving him, and to talk of the glory of the undertaking and the vast riches that would accrue from it to Diego Velasquez. Nevertheless, one of the two favorites who had gained the appointment for Cortes was always urging the captain to hasten his embarking—before the relatives, moved by envy and malice, should change the governor's mind.

Finally, everything being in readiness and a rumor getting afloat that Velasquez had determined to take the command from Cortes, our captain ordered that all officers, pilots, soldiers, and as much provision as possible, should be aboard by a certain nightfall. With this company of three hundred he embarked and was about to set sail, when friends roused the sleeping Diego Velasquez. The governor, springing from his bed, mounted his horse and galloped to the landing. Upon Cortes seeing him, he, accompanied by trusty men, entered a boat armed with cannon and muskets, and rowed within speaking distance. There the boat stopped. "Is this the way you are parting from me, my friend?" called Velasquez. "Is this the right way to take your leave?" "Your excellency must pardon me," answered Cortes, "there are some things that must be done before they are thought of. I am at your excellency's orders." But when Diego Velasquez saw