mounted when their chief, Alonzo de Mata, said he was a notary and wished to serve a decree he had brought. Cortes interrupted him and asked if he were a king's notary. Mata said yes. Cortes then ordered him to show his appointing paper, and if it were regular he was at liberty to read his message, and he, our captain, would then know what was due him in the service of God and his majesty. But if he, Mata, had not brought the original appointment signed by the king, it was useless for him to read the paper.
Mata was not a little staggered at this demand, for he really was no notary. He was fairly dumbfounded, and the four men with him equally. Cortes overlooked their embarrassment and ordered food set before them, for we were then halting a few moments. Further he told them we were marching to Tanpaniguita, not far from the camp of Narvaez, and there he could be found if they had any communication to make. In all he said Cortes spoke not a word of reproach against Narvaez, and after he had had a private talk with the men and had thrust a few pieces of gold into their hands, they went back to their camp sounding the praises of Cortes and of all of us. While they were with us many of our soldiers out of pure love of display hung gold collars and chains round their necks and arms. All this made great impression on the five
