Part 14 (2/2)

The same dispatches also contained a letter from the father of Cortez, informing him that his enemies were busy, and successful in their intrigues in the court at Madrid, and that two very important colonies in Mexico had been wrested from his command, and placed, by order of the king, under the government of others.

Cortez decided to return immediately, but privately, to Mexico. His enemies, who had usurped the government, had given out that he was dead. Cortez was apprehensive that, were his return antic.i.p.ated, he would be waylaid and a.s.sa.s.sinated. He therefore made arrangements for his friends to return by land, while he privately embarked for Vera Cruz. A violent storm arose, with head winds, and the vessel, after struggling a few days against the gale, was compelled, with shattered rigging, to return to Truxillo. Again, after a few days, the vessel weighed anchor, and again it was compelled to return. Cortez now, in extreme debility of body and dejection of mind, was exceedingly perplexed respecting his duty. ”He ordered a solemn ma.s.s,” says Diaz, ”and prayed fervently to the Holy Ghost to enlighten him as to his future proceedings.”

He now decided to remain in Truxillo, and to unite Honduras and Nicaragua into a colony which, in extent and resources, would be worthy of him. He dispatched messengers with all speed to overtake his friends, who had undertaken to return by land, and recall them to Truxillo. They, however, refused to return. Again another messenger was dispatched to them by Cortez, with still more urgent entreaties.

To this they replied by a letter, stating very firmly that they had suffered misfortunes enough already in following him, and that they were determined to go back to Mexico. Sandoval, with a small retinue on horseback, took this answer to Cortez. He was also commissioned to do every thing in his power to persuade Cortez also to embark again for Mexico.

Though thus forsaken, he still refused to leave Honduras. Weakened by bodily sickness, which plunged him into the deepest melancholy, his usual energies were dormant. He, however, sent a confidential servant, named Orantes, with a commission to Generals Alvarado and Las Casas, who had returned from Honduras to Mexico, to take charge of the government and punish the usurpers. Orantes performed his mission successfully. The people, hearing with joy that Cortez was safe, rallied around the newly-appointed deputies, and the prominent usurpers were seized and imprisoned in a timber cage. Cortez remained in Honduras until he received intelligence that the disturbances in Mexico were quelled. He now decided to leave the government of Honduras in the hands of a lieutenant, and to return to Mexico. His health, however, was so very feeble that he hardly expected to survive the voyage. He therefore, before embarking, confessed his sins, partook of the sacrament, and settled all his worldly affairs.

It was on the 25th of April, 1526, that the pale and emaciate adventurer, accompanied by a few followers, embarked on board a brigantine in the anchorage at Truxillo. The morning was serene and cloudless, and a fresh breeze filled the unfurled sails. Rapidly the low line of the sh.o.r.es of Honduras sank below the horizon, and Cortez bade them adieu forever.

CHAPTER XII.

THE LAST DAYS OF CORTEZ.

The party are obliged to put into Havana for repairs.--Triumphal march to the capital.--Reception at Tezcuco.--Enemies at work.--Serious charges.--The commissioner.--Offers of courtesy.--The banquet.-- Unfortunate effects.--Notice for complainants.--Leon's sudden death.

--Its cause.--Aguilar's administration.--He determines to return to Spain.--Reception of the emperor.--Marquis of the Valley.--Captain General.--Cortez's marriage.--Envy of the queen.--He embarks for New Spain.--Effects of displeasing a queen.--Cortez's abode.--The contrast.--He goes to Cuarnavaca.--Devotes himself to industrial interests.--The expeditions and failures.--Cortez heads another party.--Arrival at Santa Cruz.--The fleet returns.--Disasters.

--Discontent.--Search for the vessels.--The colonists eat too voraciously.--Cortez resolves to replenish his resources.--Departure for Spain.--Neglect and disappointment.--Letter to the emperor.-- Unavailing appeal.--The will.--His bequests.--An uneasy conscience.

--Removal to Castilleja.--Cortez's death.--His funeral.--The removal of his remains.--Solemnities.--The monument erected over his remains.

For a few days a fair wind bore the voyagers rapidly forward over a sunny sea. They had arrived nearly within sight of the Mexican sh.o.r.e, when clouds blackened the sky, and a tropical tempest came howling fiercely upon them. The light brigantine was driven before the gale like a bubble, and, after being tossed for several days upon the angry deep, the voyagers found themselves near the island of Cuba, and were compelled to enter the harbor of Havana for repairs and supplies.

It was not until the 16th of May that they were enabled again to set sail. After a voyage of eight days, Cortez landed near St. Juan de Ulua. Here he a.s.sumed an incognito, and proceeded on foot fifteen miles to Medellin. His aspect was so changed by sickness and dejection that no one recognized him. Here he made himself known, and was immediately received with the most enthusiastic demonstrations of joy.

He now pressed forward to the capital in truly a triumphal march. The whole country was aroused, and processions, triumphal arches, bonfires, and music, with the ringing of bells and the roaring of cannon, greeted him all the way. The natives vied with the Spaniards in the cordiality of their welcome and in the splendor of their pageants.

Arrangements were made to receive him at the capital with a triumphant fete. He arrived at Tezcuco, on the borders of the lake, in the evening, and there pa.s.sed the night. It was now the lovely month of June. The sun the next morning rose cloudless, and smiled upon a scene of marvelous beauty, embellished by all the attractions of hills, and valleys, and placid waters. The lake was alive with the decorated boats of the natives, and the air was filled with the hum of peace and joy. Smiles again flitted over the wan and pallid cheeks of Cortez as the shouts of the mult.i.tude, blending with the clarion peals of the trumpet, the chime of bells, and the thunders of artillery fell upon his ear. He immediately repaired to the church publicly to return thanks to G.o.d for all his mercies. He then retired to his magnificent palace, and again a.s.sumed the responsibilities of government.

The enemies of Cortez were still indefatigable in the court of Charles V., and they so multiplied and reiterated their charges that the emperor deemed it expedient to order an investigation. He was charged with withholding gold which belonged to the crown, of secreting the treasures of Guatemozin, of defrauding the revenues by false reports, and of surrounding himself with grandeur and power that he might a.s.sert independence of Spain, and establish himself in unlimited sovereignty.

A commissioner, Luis Ponce de Leon, was accordingly sent by the emperor to a.s.sume the government of Mexico temporarily, and to bring Cortez to trial. But a few weeks had pa.s.sed after Cortez returned to the capital before this messenger arrived. Cortez, surprised by his sudden appearance, was greatly perplexed as to the course he should pursue. The intelligence was communicated to him as he was performing his devotions in the church of St. Francis. ”He earnestly,” says Diaz, ”prayed to the Lord to guide him as seemed best to his holy wisdom, and, on coming out of the church, sent an express to bring him information of all particulars.”

After much painful deliberation, Cortez decided to receive the royal commissioner with apparent courtesy and submission. He sent to him a friendly message, wis.h.i.+ng to know which of two roads he intended to take on his approach to the capital, that he might be met and greeted with suitable honors. The friends of Leon cautioned him to be on his guard, for they a.s.sured him that Cortez would, if possible, secure his a.s.sa.s.sination. Leon warily sent word that, fatigued by his voyage, he should not immediately visit the capital, but should rest for a time.

Having dispatched this message, he immediately mounted his horse, and, with his retinue, commenced his journey. The vigilant officers of Cortez, however, met him at Iztapalapan. A sumptuous banquet was prepared, and some delicious cheese-cakes were placed upon the table.

All who ate of the cheese-cakes were taken sick, and it was reported far and wide that Cortez had attempted to poison Leon with a.r.s.enic.

There is no proof that Cortez was guilty. The circ.u.mstances alone, as we have stated them, awakened suspicion. These suspicions were fearfully increased by unfortunate events, to which we shall soon allude.

Leon arrived in the city of Mexico, and in the presence of all the civil and military officers produced his authority from the emperor, Charles V., to a.s.sume the governors.h.i.+p of the colony, and to bring Cortez to trial. The humbled and wretched conqueror kissed the doc.u.ment in token of submission.

Leon now issued public notice that all who had complaints to bring against the administration of Cortez should produce them. A host of enemies--for all men in power must have enemies--immediately arose.

The court was flooded with accusations without number. Just as Leon was opening the court to give a hearing to these charges, he was seized with a sudden and a mysterious sickness. After lying in a state of lethargy for four days, he died. In a lucid moment, he appointed an officer named Aguilar, who had accompanied him from Castile, as his successor. ”What malignities and slanders,” exclaims Diaz, ”were now circulated against Cortez by his enemies in Mexico!” The faithful historian, however, affirms that Leon died of what is now called the s.h.i.+p fever. Notwithstanding all these unfortunate appearances, it is generally believed that Cortez was not abetting in his death.

Aguilar was a weak and infirm old man, so infirm that ”he was obliged to drink goat's milk, and to be suckled by a Castilian woman to keep him alive.” This decrepit septuagenarian could accomplish nothing, and after a vacillating and utterly powerless administration of eight months, during which time the influence of Cortez was continually increasing, he died. The treasurer, Estrada, by the governor's testament, was appointed his successor. The affairs of the colony were now in a state of great confusion. These new governors were imbecile men, totally incapable of command. The popular voice, in this emergence, loudly called upon Cortez to a.s.sume the helm. Estrada, alarmed by this, issued a decree ordering the instant expulsion of Cortez from the city of Mexico. Cortez, thus persecuted, resolved to return to Spain, and to plead for justice in the court of his sovereign. At the same time, he received letters informing him of the death of his father, and of the renewed activity of his enemies at court.

Purchasing two s.h.i.+ps, he stored them with a great abundance of provisions, and by a proclamation offered a free pa.s.sage to any Spaniard who could obtain permission from the governor to return to Spain. After a voyage of forty days he landed on the sh.o.r.es of his country, at the little port of Palos, in the month of December, 1527.

Cortez immediately sent an express to his majesty, informing him of his arrival. In much state he traveled through Seville and Guadeloupe to Madrid, winning golden opinions all the way by his courtly manners and his profuse liberality.

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