Page:Vol 1 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/485

Rh to demand the surrender of Villa Rica, which the deserters represented as held by less than four score This task was intrusted to the clergyman Juan Ruiz de Guevara, accompanied by Notary Vergara, Amaya a relative of Velazquez, and three witnesses, and letters were given them for distribution among Cortés' soldiers, with a view to gain their allegiance.

Sandoval had been advised concerning the fleet, and suspecting the object he sent to warn Cortés, despatching at the same time two dark-complexioned soldiers, disguised as Indian fruit venders, to learn further particulars. The spies remained in Narvaez' camp a whole day, and by mingling with the leaders they picked up valuable information, escaping during the night with two horses. Sandoval now sent off the old and infirm soldiers to a town called Papalote, in the hills, and obtained the promise of the remainder to hold the fort with him, a gallows being erected in a conspicuous site as a warning to the faint-hearted. About this time Guevara appeared before the quarters of Sandoval. No one came to receive him, and he had to find his way to the commander's house. The priest had been led to believe that little or no objection would be made by the adherents of Cortés to his demands, and confidently he began his harangue, speaking of the claims of Velazquez and the treason of Cortés. The word treason fired Sandoval. His party were the better servants of the king, he said, and were it not for