Page:Vol 2 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/251

Rh guided by the friars, in whose judgment and devotion Cortés reposed great faith, and if Estrada and Alborappeared in accord and trustworthy, to surrender to them the despatches and command.

The treasurer and contador were summoned, together with the refugees of the Cortés party, among whom Andrés de Tapia and Jorge de Alvarado were the leading spirits. These two immediately summoned the less hostile members of the council and the reputed adherents of their party, and sent to traders and friends for lances and other arms. A sufficient number having gathered, including thirty horsemen, Alvarado led them through the city in the moonlight, shouting Viva el rey! and calling upon the citizens to assemble at the convent in the service of the king. The news had spread by this time, and large crowd was gathered. As Tapia read soon a the letters of Cortés, cheers upon cheers rent the air, revealing clearly enough the popular feeling. He thereupon reviewed the usurpation and despotic rule of the incumbents, now and indicated his wishes in the appointment of Estrada with Albornoz, who had governed so acceptably before. This selection was of a large number; but the evident wishes of Cortés must be respected; and it would have been difficult to find one more for the condition of affairs demanded a man of influence, like the leading royal official, upon whom the dispossessed by their chief, by no means to the liking fitting for the position than Estrada; for the condition of affairs demanded a man of influence, like the leading royal official, upon whom the