ment of Hernando Cortes was pleasing in the eye of God, and of first importance to his majesty, the king of Spain. [1]
As soon as Cortes had received his commission he set about to gather all manner of arms and warlike stores, matchlocks, crossbows, powder and the like; and also a large stock of goods for barter, and everything necessary for the expedition. Now, also, he became more careful of his appearance, and wore a bunch of feathers fastened on his cap with a gold medal, and a velvet cloak trimmed with gold—which made him look more gallant. His countenance was most winning, he talked well and his affability drew people to him. Twice he had been alcalde, or mayor, of the town in which he lived.
Notwithstanding all this, Cortes was at that time greatly pinched for money to buy what he needed, and was head over ears in debt. But when his friends among the merchants heard he had been made commander, they lent him four thousand dollars in coin, and still more secured by his Indians and es-
- ↑ "I must inform the reader," wrote Bernal Diaz, "why, when speaking of Cortes, I never call him Don Hernando Cortes, or marquis, or by any other title but plainly Cortes. The reason is that he himself was best pleased when he was simply addressed as Cortes. And besides this first reason is a second;—the name of Cortes stood in equal renown throughout the whole of Spain after the mastering of Mexico, as in old Roman times the names of Julius Cæsar and of Pompey stood among the Roman peoples, and among the Carthaginians the name of Hannibal."
