Page:Vol 1 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/171

Rh in a haughty spirit, and surrounding the church with a guard he went his way to the wars. Notwithstanding the cavalier had made up his mind to drink the marriage-draught, he would none of the governor in it; or if he must, the reconciliation should be accomplished after his own fashion. No sooner had the governor departed than Cortés directed Juan Suarez, with lance and cross-bow, to await him at a certain place. Escaping the guard during the night, Cortés joined Suarez, and proceeded to the plantation where Velazquez was quartered. The governor, who was engaged in looking over some books of accounts, was not a little startled when Cortés knocked at the open door and entered. "Is it murder the man means with arms in his hands, and at this hour?" was his thought, as he gave the visitor a nervous welcome. "Command that no one come near me!" exclaimed Cortés, "else I will put this pike through him. And now, if my excellent and brave captain, Señor Velazquez, has aught against me, let him speak. I am here to answer." So sweet was the mutual forgiveness that followed, that in the morning the two gentlemen were found occupying the same bed. Not long after Cortés