Page:Vol 2 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/325

Rh burly, brutal fellow, entered the room and stealthily examined it. Sandoval pretended to be asleep. The man thereupon broke open the treasury-box containing a number of gold bars and carried them away, the sick man, unable even to stand, being afraid to make an outcry lest the robber should murder him. Cortés soon entered, but no trace could be found of the man, who appears to have gained Portugal with his booty. Sandoval did not long survive. In his will he named the general as executor. To his sisters he gave the greater part of his fortune, the remainder being left to convents and poor people to form a crown of blessings to his memory. He was buried with great pomp in La Rábida, Cortés and all his suite assuming deep mourning, which was not alone upon the surface. Poor Sandoval! so young, so gentle, the purest and ablest of them all, and to die so soon on his return with all the joys and glories of home unrealized. An enemy even could not meet this cavalier without admiration of his character, and none could long be his associate without learning to love him. Though but thirty-one he had by his bravery and skill achieved a reputation equal to any, as one of the foremost captains in all the Indies. He had not been given the same opportunities for independent achievement as Alvarado, but neither had he nor would he have stained his name with the cruelties of Tonatiuh. He was also more prudent than the latter, and more frank and loyal, and probably abler than Olid, the third of the great captains of Cortés. In the total of his admirable qualities as man and officer he surpassed any of his associates, and gradually assumed the chief place in the affection of his leader, who usually addressed him by the endearing name of "Son Sandoval." His men also loved him as they did no other commander for his kind demeanor, his rare disinterestedness and his constant regard for their welfare,