em to take care of the image of the holy Virgin and the
cross, and to hold the chapel in due reverence, in order that salvation
and blessings might come upon them.

We all embarked in the evening, and on Monday morning we set sail with a
good wind. We always kept close to the shore, and steered in the
direction of San Juan de Ulua. As we coasted along, the weather being
most favorable, we who had been here with Grijalva, and were well
acquainted with these parts, pointed out to Cortes La Rambla, which the
Indians call Aguajaluco; further on, the coast of Tonala or San Antonio,
the great river Guacasualco, the elevated snow mountains (sierras
nevadas), and those of San Martin. We also showed him the split rock
forming two points, which stretch out into the sea, and somewhat
resemble the figure of a chair. We then showed him the river Alvarado;
further on the river Banderas, where we made the 16000 pesos; the Isla
Blanca and Isla Verde, also the Isla di Sacrificios, where, under
Grijalva, we found the idols with the Indians who had been recently
sacrificed.

In this way we pretty quickly arrived at San Juan de Ulua, which we
reached on Holy Thursday about noon. I shall never forget how Alonso
Hernandez Puertocarrero just about this time remarked to Cortes:
"Methinks we are now certainly arrived in that country, of which those
gentlemen who have been here twice before, sung:[14]

'Cata Francia, montesinos!
Cata Paris, la Ciudad,
Cata las aguas de Duero,
Do van a dar en la mar!'

"I tell you, only look at this rich country, and keep strict command
over us." Cortes, who well knew what he meant, said in return: "If God
will only grant us that good fortune in arms which he gave to Roland,
the Paladin, then with your assistance and that of the other gentlemen
cavaliers, we shall succeed in everything else." This happened just at
the moment when Cortes was entering the river Alvarado, which
circumstance is also mentioned by Gomara.

[12] This passage is very important, as it shows to what degree of
civilization the inhabitants of this district had arrived, and that they
were at least skilful in the working of gold. The Spanish words are:
"Quatro diademas, unas lagartijas, y dos como perillos, y orejeras, y
cinco anades, y dos figuras de caras de Indios, y dos Suelas de Oro,
como de sus Cotoras."

The Caras de Indios (faces of Indians) were most probably shaped like
masks, for similar ones, made of clay,