would now fall the reproach of unmitigated vil- | man, and by devotion to agriculture, and by lainy, were then performed with prayers and working a gold mine in which he was interestthanksgivings honestly offered. We shall but ed, soon acquired quite ample wealth. His wife, tell the impartial story. God, the searcher of all though not of high birth, was an amiable and hearts, can alone unravel the mazes of consci- beautiful woman. She won the love of her wayentiousness and depravity, and award the just ward and fickle husband. meed of approval and condemnation. "I lived as happily with her," said Cortez, The Governor looked around for a suitable" as if she had been the daughter of a duchess." agent to head this arduous expedition. He found exactly the man he wanted in Hernando Cortez. This man was a Spaniard, thirty-three years of age. He was of good birth, and had enjoyed more than ordinary advantages of education. From his earliest years he had manifested a great fondness for wild and perilous adventure. He wrote poetry, was an accomplished gallant, enjoyed an exuberant flow of spirits, and detested utterly all the ordinary routines of human industry. Such was the situation of Cortez when the tidings of the discovery of the wonderful kingdom of Mexico spread, with electric speed, through the island of Cuba. The adventurous spirit of Cortez was roused. His blood was fired. It was rumored that the Governor was about to fit out an expedition to invade, to conquer, to annex. Cortez applied earnestly to be intrusted with the expedition. He offered to contribute largely of his own wealth to fit out the naval armament, and liberally to disburse its proceeds of exaction and plunder to the government officials. The Governor was well instructed in the energy, capacity, and courage of the applicant, and without hesitation appointed him to the important post. For such a spirit this New World-so fresh, so strange, so Eden-like-presented irresistible attractions. When twenty-one years of age Cortez landed in Cuba. He immediately repaired to the house of the Governor, to whom he was personally known. The Governor chanced to be As Cortez received the commission of Capabsent, but his secretary received the young cav-tain General of the expedition, all the glowing alier kindly, and assured him that there was no doubt that he would obtain from the Governor a liberal grant of land to cultivate. "I came to get gold," Cortez haughtily replied, "not to till the soil like a peasant." He was, however, induced to accept from the Governor a plantation, to be cultivated by slaves. With his purse thus easily filled, he loitered through several years of an idle and voluptuous life, during which time he was involved in many disgraceful amours, and many quarrels. In one of these affairs of gallantry the Governor rebuked him. The hot blood of the young Castilian boiled over, and Cortez entered into a conspiracy to obtain the removal of the Governor. But the imprudent and reckless advenarrested, manacled, and thrown into prison. He succeeded in breaking his fetters, forced open a window, dropped himself to the pavement, and sought refuge in the sanctuary of a neighboring church. Such a sanctuary, in that day, could not be violated. turer was more enthusiasm and tremendous energy of his nature were roused and concentrated upon this one magnificent object. His whole character seemed suddenly to experience a total change. He became serious, earnest, thoughtful, enthusiastic. Mighty destinies were in his hands. Deeds were to be accomplished at which the world was to marvel. Nay, strange as it may seem-for the heart of man is an inexplicable enigma-religion, perhaps we should say religious superstition, mingled the elements of her majestic power in the motives which inspired the soul of this strange man. He was to march -the apostle of Christianity-to overthrow the idols in the halls of Montezuma, and there to rear the cross of Christ. It was his heavenly mission to convert the benighted Indians to the religion of Jesus. With the energies of fire and sword, misery and blood, trampling horses and death-dealing artillery, he was to lead back these wandering victims of darkness and sin to those paths of piety which guide to heaven. Such was Hernando Cortez. Let philosophy explain the enigma as she may, no intelligent man will venture the assertion that Cortez was a hypocrite. He was a frank, fearless, deluded enthusiast. A guard was secreted to watch him. He remained in the church for several days. As he then attempted to escape he was again seized, strongly chained, and placed on board a to be sent to Hispaniola for trial. With extraordinary fortitude he endured the pain of drawing his feet through the irons which shack-ed the Governor. ship The energy with which Cortez moved alarm- led them; cautiously, in the darkness of the venturer, with his commanding genius, having the water, swam to the shore, and, half dead midable rival. He therefore despotically re with pain and exhaustion, obtained again the solved to deprive Cortez of the command. The sanctuary of the church. Captain General was informed of his peril. With with whose affections he had cruelly trifled. the vessels were not prepared for sea, and the He now consented to marry a young lady the decision which marked his character, though Her powerful family espoused his cause. complement of men was not yet mustered, he The Governor relented, and Cortez suddenly emerged resolved secretly to weigh anchor that very night. turned to his estates a wiser, perhaps a better his officers and informed them of his purpose. Every man was instantly, and silently in motion. | cotton, impervious to the javelins and arrows of At midnight the little squadron, with all on the Mexicans, were provided as coats of mail for board, dropped down the bay. Intelligence was the soldiers. A black-velvet banner, embroiderpromptly conveyed to the Governor, informing ed with gold, and emblazoned with a cross, bore him of this sudden and unexpected departure. the characteristic device-"Let us follow the Mounting his horse he galloped to a point of the cross. Under this sign, with faith, we conquer." shore which commanded the fleet at anchor in A trading vessel appeared off the coast laden the roads. Cortez, from the deck, saw the Gov-with provisions. Cortez seized both cargo and ernor surrounded by his retinue. He entered a ship, and, by the combined energies of persua boat and was rowed near to the shore. The Gov-sion and compulsion, induced the captain to join ernor reproached him bitterly for his conduct. the expedition. Another ship made its appear"Pardon me," said Cortez, courteously. ance. It was a gift from God to these fanat"Time presses, and there are some things ical enthusiasts. It was promptly seized with which should be done before they are even religious praises and thanksgivings. thought of." Cortez now sailed around the western point Then, with Castilian grace, waving an adieu of the island to Havana. While he was conto the Governor, he returned to his ship. The an- tinuing his preparations here, Barba, the comchors were immediately raised, the sails spread, mander of the place, received dispatches from and the little fleet was wafted from the harbor the Governor of St. Jago, ordering him to apof St. Jago, and ere long disappeared in the dis-prehend Cortez, and seize the vessels. tant horizon of the sea. Cortez directed his course from St. Jago, which was then the capital of Cuba, to the port of Macaca, about thirty miles distant. Collecting hastily such additional stores as the place would afford, he again weighed anchor, and proceeded to Trinidad. This was an important town on the southern shore of the island, where he would be able to obtain those reinforcements and supplies without which it would be madness to undertake the expedition. Volunteers crowded to the standard. All were animated by the enthusiasm which glowed in his own bosom, and he immediately acquired over all his followers that wonderful ascendency which is so instinctively conceded to genius of a high order. But Cortez was now too strong to be approached by any power which Barba had at his command. Barba, accordingly, informed the Governor of the impracticability of the attempt, and also informed Cortez of the orders he had received. Cortez wrote an exceedingly courteous letter to the Governor, informing him that, with the blessing of God, the fleet would sail the next morning. As there was some danger that the Governor might send a force which would embarrass the expedition, the little squadron the next morning weighed anchor, and proceeded to Cape Antonio, an appointed place of rendezvous at the extreme western termination of the island. Here Cortez completed his preparations, and collected all the force he desired. He had now His men were generally armed with cross-eleven vessels, the largest of which was of but bows, though he had several small cannon and some muskets. Jackets thickly wadded with one hundred tons. His force consisted of one hundred and ten seamen, five hundred and fifty three soldiers, two hundred Indians, and a few Indian women for menial service. He had fourteen pieces of artillery, a good supply of ammunition, and, more than all, sixteen horses. This noble animal had never yet been seen on the continent of America. With great difficulty a few had been transported across the ocean from Spain. With such a force this bold fanatic undertook the conquest of the vast and powerful empire of Montezuma. Cortez was now thirty-three years of age. He was a handsome, wellformed man, of medium stature, of pale intellectual features, a piercing dark eye, and of frank and winning manners. He was temperate, indifferent respecting food, hardships, and peril, and possessed not a little of that peculiar influence over human hearts which gave Napoleon an ascendency almost supernatural. Assembling his men around him, he thus harangued them: "I present before you a glorious prize; lands more vast and opulent than European eyes have yet seen. This prize can only be won by hardship and toil. Great deeds are only achieved by great exertions. Glory is never the reward of sloth. I have labored hard, and staked my all on this undertaking; for I love that renown which is the noblest recompense of man. HATY "Do you covet riches more? Be true to me, and I will make you masters of wealth of which you have never dreamed. You are few in numbers; but be strong in resolution, and doubt not that the Almighty, who has never deserted the Spaniard in his contest with the Infidel, will shield you, though encompassed by enemies. Your cause is just. You are to fight under the banner of the cross. Onward, then, with alacrity. Gloriously terminate the work so auspi ciously begun." fears, and secured friendly intercourse, and a mutually profitable traffic. The island was barren, and but thinly inhabited. But the natives had large and comfortable houses, built of stone, cemented with mortar. There were several spacious temples of stone, with lofty towers, constructed of the same durable material. The adventurers were also exceedingly surprised to find in the court-yard of one of the temples an idol in the form of a massive stone cross. This speech was received with tumultuous cheers. The enthusiasts then partook of the sacrament of the Lord's Supper, and with religious ceremonies placed the piratic fleet under the protection of St. Peter. The anchors were raised, the sails spread, and a favoring breeze pressed them rapidly over the waves of the Mexican Gulf. It was the 18th of February, of his mission. 1519. Cortez remained upon the island about a fortnight, during which time all his energies were engrossed in accomplishing the great purposes He sent two vessels to the main-land to make inquiries about some SpanProceeding in a southwesterly direction about iards who, it was reported, had been shipwrecktwo hundred miles, they arrived, in the course ed upon the coast, and were still lingering in of a week, at the island of Cozumel, which was captivity. Ordaz, who commanded this expediseparated from the main-land of Yucatan by a tion, was instructed to return in eight days. channel from twelve to thirty miles in width. Several parties were sent in different directions The natives fled in terror. Cortez, however, to explore the island thoroughly, and ascertain by means of an interpreter, soon disarmed their its resources. love. But the great object, in the estimation of Cor- | limity of absurdity. It is true that man is saved tez, to be accomplished, was the conversion of by faith; but it is that faith which works by the natives. He had with him several ecclesiastics, men whose sincerity and piety no candid man can doubt. The Indians were assembled, and urged, through an interpreter, to abandon their idols and turn to the living God. The simple natives were horror-stricken at the thought. They assured Cortez that were they to injure their gods, destruction, in every awful form, would immediately overwhelm them. The bold warrior wielded bold arguments. With his mailed cavaliers he made a prompt onslaught upon the idols; hewed them down, smashed them to pieces, and tumbled the dishonored and mutilated fragments into the streets. He then constructed a Christian altar, reared a cross, and an image of the Virgin and Holy Child; and Mass, with all its pomp of robes, and chants, and incense, was for the first time performed in the temples of Yucatan. One of the ecclesiastics, Father Olmedo, a man of humble, unfeigned piety, recognizing in the religion of Christ the only power which can' transform human character and prepare fallen man for heaven, was far from being satisfied with this purely external conversion. He did what he could to instruct and to purify. But it was a dark age, and the most honest minds groped in gloom. In the mean time the parties returned from the exploration of the island, and Ordaz brought back his two ships from the main-land, having been unsuccessful in his attempts to find the shipwrecked Spaniards. Cortez had now been at Cozumel a fortnight. As he was on the point of taking his departure, a frail canoe was seen crossing the strait with three men in it, apparently Indians, and entirely naked. As The natives were, at first, overwhelmed with soon as the canoe landed, one of the men ran grief and terror, as they gazed upon their pros- franticly to the Spaniards, and informed them trate deities. But no earthquake shook the isl- that he was a Christian and a countryman. His and. No lightning sped its angry bolt. No name was Aguilar. He had been wrecked upon thunders broke down the skies. The sun still the shores of Yucatan, and had passed seven shone tranquilly; and ocean, carth, and sky years in captivity, encountering adventures more smiled untroubled. The natives ceased to fear marvelous than the genius of romance.can create. gods who could not protect themselves, and, He was sincerely a good man, an ecclesiastic. without farther argument, consented to ex- He had acquired a perfect acquaintance with change their idols for the far prettier idols of the language, and the manners and customs of the strangers. The heart of Cortez throbbed the natives, and Cortez received him as a Heavwith enthusiasm and pride in contemplating his en-sent acquisition to his enterprise. great and glorious achievement; an achieve- On the 4th of March Cortez again set sail, ment far surpassing the miracles of Peter or of and crossing the narrow strait, approached the Paul. In one short week he had converted all shores of the continent. Sailing directly north these islanders from the service of Satan, and some hundred miles, hugging the coast of Yuhad secured their eternal salvation. The fana- catan, he doubled Cape Catoche, and turning tic sincerity with which this feat was accomplish- his prows to the west, boldly pressed forward cd, does not, however, redeem it from the sub-into those unknown waters, which seemed to extend interminably before him. The shores The spears, stones, and arrows of the natives were densely covered with the luxuriant foliage fell almost harmless upon the helmets and of the tropics, and in many a bay, and on many shields of the Spaniards. But the bullets from a headland, could be discerned the thronged the guns of the invaders swept like hailstones dwellings of the natives. After sailing west through the crowded ranks of the natives. Apabout two hundred miles the coast again turned palled by the thunder and the lightning of these abruptly to the south. Following the line of the terrific discharges, they broke and fled, leaving land some three hundred miles farther, he came the ground covered with their slain. The bloodto the broad mouth of the river Tabasco, of stained adventurers, under the banner of the which he had heard from previous explorers, cross which they had so signally dishonored, and which he was seeking. A sand-bar at the now marched triumphantly to Tabasco, a large mouth of the river prevented his vessels from en-town upon the river, but a few miles above their tering. He therefore cast anchor, and taking a place of landing. The inhabitants fled from it strong and well-armed party in the boats, as- in dismay. cended the shallow stream. Cortez took formal possession of the town in A forest of majestic trees, with underbrush, the name of the sovereigns of Spain. But the dense and impervious, lined the banks. The whole surrounding country was now aroused. naked forms of the natives were seen gliding The natives, in numbers which could not be among the trees, following, in rapidly-accumu- counted, gathered in the vicinity of Tabasco, to lating numbers, the advance of the boats, and repel, if possible, the terrible foe. Cortez sent evincing, by tone and gesture, any thing but a immediately to the ships for six cannon, his friendly spirit. At last, arriving at an opening whole cavalry of sixteen horses, and every availin the forest, where a smooth and grassy mead-able man. Thus strengthened, he, with all his ow extended from the stream, the boats drew men, partook of the sacrament of the Lord's near the shore, and Cortez, through his inter- Supper, earnestly implored the Divine blessing preter, Aguilar, asked permission to land, avow-in extending the triumphs of the cross over the ing his friendly intentions. The prompt answer was the clash of weapons and shouts of defiance. Cortez, deciding to postpone a forcible landing till the morning, retired to a small island in the river, which was uninhabited. Here, establishing vigilant sentinels, he passed the night. kingdom of Satan, and marched forth to the merciless slaughter of those valiant but powerless men, who were fighting only for their country and their homes. A few miles from the city, on a level plain, the Spanish invaders encountered the Indians. The lines of their encampment were so extend In the early dawn of the next morning his party were in their boats, prepared for the as-ed and yet so crowded, that the Spaniards estisault. But the natives had been busy gathering force during the night. War-canoes lined the shore, and the banks were covered with native warriors in martial array. The battle soon commenced. It was fierce and bloody, but short. mated their numbers at over forty thousand. Cortez had about six hundred men. The natives fought bravely. But the cannon, appalling their hearts with its terrific thunders, swept death and awful mutilation through their ranks. |