derable, since the real design of Diego
Velasquez, in fitting-out this expedition, was not to make settlements,
but that a trade of barter should be carried on with the natives. Duero
and the royal treasurer, therefore, employed all their cunning with the
governor. They took every opportunity of placing Cortes in the most
favorable light--extolling his great courage, in a word, declared him to
be the most proper person whom he could intrust with the command. In him
he might place implicit confidence, the more so since he himself had
been present as a witness at Cortes's marriage, and given the bride
away, and was thus spiritually related to him. Their endeavours were
indeed crowned with success, by Diego Velasquez conferring the
appointment of captain-general of the expedition on that gentleman. The
secretary Duero did not fail on this occasion, as the saying is, to
write out the commission with the best of ink, to word it agreeably to
Cortes's wishes, and finish it in all haste. When the appointment became
known to the public, some approved of it and others not.

On the Sunday following, as Diego Velasquez was on his way to church,
accompanied by the principal personages in the town, as was due to him
in his capacity of governor, it happened that he did Cortes the honour
of placing him on his right side; on the road they were met by a jester,
nick-named the fool Servantes: this fellow kept in front of the
governor, cutting all manner of ridiculous figures and playing all sorts
of pranks. "Well-a-day, friend Diego, (commenced this jack-pudding,)
what manner of a captain-general have you appointed? He of Medellin and
Estremadura! A captain who wants to try his fortune in no small way. I
am afraid he will cut his sticks with your whole squadron; for he is a
terrible fellow when he once begins, this you may read in his
countenance." As he was chattering on in this strain for some time and
growing more severe in his observations, Andreas de Duero, who was
walking by the side of Cortes, hit him a good blow on the head, crying
out at the same time, "begone you drunken fool! I am sure these
scandalous pleasantries never emanated in your brain." The buffoon,
however, took no notice of this, but commenced a-new. "Long live my
friend Diego and the bold captain Cortes! Upon my life, master Diego, I
must really go myself with Cortes to those rich countries, in order that
you may not repent of the bargain you have made!" Nobody doubt