d with the
whole of the inhabitants, and so confidently did they converse with us
as if they had known us all their lives: indeed, Cortes had given
peremptory orders that they should in no wise be molested. It was here
also that Cortes began strict discipline, and set to work with
unremitting assiduity, to which Providence lent his blessing; for
everything in which he concerned himself went well, particularly with
regard to making peace with the tribes or inhabitants of these
countries. This the reader will find fully confirmed in the course of my
history.

CHAPTER XXVI.

_Cortes reviews his troops, and what further happened._

On the third day after our arrival at Cozumel, Cortes reviewed the whole
of his troops. Without counting the pilots and marines, our number
amounted to 508 men. There were 109 sailors, and sixteen horses, which
were trained equally for tournaments or for war. Our squadron consisted
of eleven vessels of different tonnage; among these, one was a kind of
brigantine, the property of a certain Gines Nortes. The number of
crossbow men was thirty-three, and of musketeers thirteen: add to this
our heavy guns and four falconets, a great quantity of powder and balls.
As to the precise number of crossbow men I cannot exactly swear, though
it matters not whether there were a few more or less.

After this review, Cortes ordered the artillerymen Mesa, Bartolome de
Usagre, Arbenga, and a certain Catalonier whose name I forget, to keep
all our firearms bright and in good order, to see that each cannon had
its right-sized ball, to prepare the cartridges, and distribute the
powder properly. The chief care of our gun department he confided to a
certain Francisco de Oroze, who had proved himself a brave soldier in
the Italian wars. Juan Benitez and Pedro de Guzman had to inspect the
crossbows, and see that they were supplied with two or three nuts and as
many cords. They had also to superintend the exercise of shooting at the
target, and the breaking-in of our horses, particularly to accustom them
to the noise of our firearms. I have now said sufficient of our
armament: indeed, Cortes was most particular with the merest trifles in
these matters.

CHAPTER XXVII.

_Cortes receives information that two Spaniards are in the power of
the Indians at the promontory of Cotoche: the steps he took upon
this news._

As Cortes paid attention to every circumstance, he ordered myself and