Page:Vol 2 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/51

Rh comrade was picked up, though he could render no aid in conveying the burden. As they approached the camp at the foot the natives came forth with enthusiastic cheers to bear the doughty adventurers on their shoulders. Their journey to Coyuhuacan was a triumphal march, and Cortés himself came to welcome them with an embrace, wreathed in abundant promises. Montaño was too humble an individual, however, to receive the same attention as Ordaz, who used his less valuable performance, magnified by influence and position, to obtain a coat of arms and grants. An encomienda, scanty even for his ordinary services as participant in the conquest, and a brief term of office as corregidor, was all that his repeated appeals could secure. The sulphur proved most acceptable, but no attempts were made to obtain more from the volcano, because of the danger.

Another want was cannon, both for expeditions and for the different strongholds to be established in their wake. Iron was unknown to the natives, but copper could be obtained in abundance, and an alloy was alone needed to produce a serviceable metal. The rich possessed a little tin in the shape of dishes, estimated indeed equal to silver, and small pieces circulated as money. By following this clew it was found that at Taxco, some distance south-west of Quauhnahuac, mines of this metal existed. Use was at once