other, had
been obliged to quit the town of Santisteban del Puerto. This man
likewise informed Garay's men that there was a town not far off, and
also that the Mexican territory was not very distant, which, he added,
was amazingly fertile, and inhabited by wealthy personages. This account
greatly excited the men, so that they began to stroll about the country
in small bodies, plundered every place they came to, and took the road
leading to Mexico.

Garay, who was well acquainted with the turbulent spirit of his troops,
and fearing he should not be able to keep them much longer together,
despatched Diego de Ocampo, one of his chief officers, with a letter to
Pedro Vallejo, who was at that time Cortes' commandant of Santisteban,
to learn which way he was inclined. In this letter Garay informed
Vallejo that he had been appointed by his majesty governor of these
provinces; that he had disembarked his troops in the river Palmas; and
that at last, after undergoing excessive fatigues, he had reached the
land of his destination.

Vallejo gave Ocampo and those who accompanied him a very honorable
reception, answered in the most polite terms, and assured him Cortes
would be delighted to have for neighbour so distinguished a governor;
but he told him that he had expended a large sum of money in subjecting
this province, of which he also had been appointed governor by his
majesty. Garay, however, was at liberty, continued Vallejo, to march his
troops into the town of Santisteban whenever he thought proper, and he
would render him every service in his power; only he must beg of him not
to allow his men to ill-use the Indian population, of which two
townships had already complained to him.

Vallejo then sent an express to Cortes, inclosing Garay's letter to him,
and gave him at the same time a circumstantial account of the posture of
affairs, adding, that he must either send him a strong reinforcement of
troops, or repair in person to Santisteban.

Cortes, on the receipt of Vallejo's letter, sent for father Olmedo,
Alvarado, Sandoval, and Gonzalo de Ocampo, brother to him whom Garay had
despatched to Vallejo. These gentlemen he instantly sent off to Garay
with certain papers containing his appointment of governor of all the
countries he might subdue, granted to him by his majesty, until the
lawsuit should have terminated which was pending between him (Cortes)
and the governor of Cuba. The answer which Vallejo had given to Diego