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256 enterprising, the fancies of the colonists were ever leaping far beyond to remoter points, invested by rumor with readier treasures. Toward the west in particular, the gilded path of the-departing sun seemed ever to revive the ancient Hesperides, and attract visionaries. Not that all was a dream; for had not Magellan's fleet in that direction disclosed a series of alluring lands, among them the long-sought islands of spices, whose produce was esteemed equal to almost any treasure? More and richer islands must surely exist. At any rate, something new had been found, and attention was directed thither with absorbing interest.

During Cortés' absence in Honduras, Albornoz among others had pictured this feeling in a letter to the king, and suggested that the fleet in process of construction at Zacatula should be sent in search of the Spice Islands, which were thought to be quite near, and of other isles, "rich in pearls and precious stones, and undoubtedly in gold, since they lie to the south." The existence of these isles was asserted by natives on the Zacatula coast, who said that in the time of their forefathers large pirogues came from them at intervals to trade. On his return, Cortés took up the idea with enthusiasm, and formed the project, not alone to win fresh laurels, but to increase the value of his actual conquest by annexing to it the Moluccas and any other islands on the way, and making it the pathway for the prospective flow of wealth. In a letter to the king he offers to conquer and settle these islands free of all cost, and to hold them against any other claimant.

This offer was formulated to a great extent by the