The Artillery, Consisting Of Ten Brass
Field-Pieces And Four Falconets, Were Brought On Shore To Inspect And
Complete Its Equipment, And Placed Under The Charge Of Four Gunners, Named
Meza, Arbenga, Catalan, And Usagre.
The cross-bows were ordered to be
inspected, all their cords, nuts, and arrows to be put in complete order,
and the range of each to be ascertained by shooting at a match.
As cotton
was to be had in plenty at this place, the soldiers provided themselves
with good quilted jackets. Cortes now assumed great state in his
deportment and the establishment of his household, appointing a steward,
chamberlain, and major-domo. He ordered stalls and mangers to be fitted up
in the ships for the horses, and stores of maize and hay to be taken on
board for their use. Horses were at that time scarce and dear in Cuba, and
our whole stock amounted to fifteen, besides the horse belonging to the
general, which died at St Juan de Ulua[1].
Velasquez was exceedingly angry with Verdugo for neglecting to obey the
orders he had sent him, and reproached the secretary and contador with
having imposed upon him in regard to the character of the general. He now
renewed his endeavours to deprive Cortes of the command, sending orders by
one Garnica to Pedro Barba, to prevent the fleet from sailing, and to
arrest Cortes. Garnica likewise brought letters from the governor for
Ordas and Velasquez de Leon, ordering and entreating them to concur with
Barba in these measures; but Ordas had been judiciously sent out of the
way, and de Leon was now gained over by Cortes.
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