temerity to demand three thousand ducats. The proposition was not for a moment to be entertained; the job must be accomplished for less money.
Watchful eyes saw the governor's dilemma, and artful tongues wagged opportunely. Near to him in their daily vocations were two men, both small in stature, but large of head, and broad in experience and sagacity. One was the governor's secretary, Andrés de Duero, and the other the royal contador, Amador de Láres. Both possessed rare attainments; they were skilled in every artifice, and could make their master see white or black; while Láres could not write, he had not failed to profit by a twenty-two years' career in Italy, during which time he rose to the honorable distinction of chief butler to the Gran Capitan, and he seldom found it difficult to move the unstable Velazquez to his purposes, although they were not always the purest and best.[1] Following the example of the governor, these two worthies were not averse to improving their fortunes by securing, at little risk or expense, an interest in the New Spain conquest; and so they gave heed when the alcalde of Santiago softly insinuated that he was the man for the emergency, and that if they would help him to the command they should share the profits.[2]
The alcalde of Santiago bore a fair reputation, considering the time and place; for comparatively few names in the New World were then wholly free from taint. In the prime of manhood, his age being thirty-three, of full medium stature, well proportioned and muscular, with full breast, broad shoulders, square full forehead, small straight spare compact body and well
- ↑ Las Casas regarded him as a schemer, and often warned Velazquez against 'Veintidos años de Italia.' Hist. Ind., iv. 447. He calls him likewise 'Burgalés' and 'hombre astutísimo.'
- ↑ 'Que partirian,' says Bernal Diaz, Hist. Verdad., 13, 'entre todos tres la ganancia del oro, y plata, y joyas, de la parte que le cupiesse â Cortés,' and also, growls Las Casas, ubi supra — knowledge of the facts as yet being but rumor — what Cortés could steal from the king and the governor was subject to division, beside what he would rob from the natives.
