The Memoirs of the Conquistador Bernal Diaz del Castillo Vol. 2

1/25/22, 8:50 PM The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Memoirs of the Conquistador Bernal Diaz del Castillo written by himself, containing a true an…
Olmedo, who always said it was most pleasing to God and to our emperorwhen disputes
were settled without spilling any blood.
When Garay found what a miserable state his affairs were in, that aportion of his men had
deserted, and that the rest had rebelled againsthim; how two of his vessels had foundered at
sea, and the rest haddeclared for Cortes, his despondency was at its height. He earnestly
requested Cortes' officers to deliver up to him again his troops and hisvessels, and declared
that he would return to the river Palmas, and thusput an end to all further disputes. These
officers, in reply, wishedhim every success in this undertaking, and said they would order
all his men who were strolling about the country to repair to his standard again, and
reembark with their general; they promised also to furnish him with a good supply of
provisions and other matters. Garay washighly delighted with this offer, and the strictest
orders were accordinglyissued to seize all the men who had rebelled, and to take theminto
the presence of Garay: but all threats proved fruitless, and thefew of Garay's soldiers who
were recaptured maintained that their agreement was to serve in the province of Panuco,
and that their oathdid not bind them to follow their general's standard anywhere else.They
even used stronger language than this; and declared, withoutany reserve, that Garay did not
possess the requisite talents for a commander,and that he was altogether no soldier.
When Garay found that, notwithstanding all his remonstrances and threats, he could not
alter the minds of his men, he completely despaired.Our officers then advised him to write
to Cortes, and they promised to use all their influence with the latter, and induce him to
assist Garay in his expedition to the river Palmas; indeed, father Olmedo and Alvarado
pledged their words to obtain this for him. Garay accordinglywrote a letter to our general,
in which he gave him an accountof his voyage, and of the fatigues he had undergone, then
begged his permission to visit him in Mexico, in order that they might come to some
understanding with each other, and consider what steps they could take to promote his
majesty's best interests in this matter. FatherOlmedo and our officers also wrote to Cortes,
and strongly recommended Garay's cause to him, adding, that he was a gentleman with
whom hehad formerly lived on the most intimate terms of friendship.
[Pg 155]
When Cortes read Garay's letter, he could not help feeling excessively grieved at his
misfortunes, and sent him a most polite answer inreturn, expressing his deep concern at the
unfortunate position of hisaffairs, and invited him to repair in person to Mexico, where he
wouldfeel happy to aid him with his counsel, and otherwise to lend him everyassistance in
his power to prosecute his further designs. Cortes thendespatched orders for the inhabitants
of the towns through whichGaray would have to pass, to give him an hospitable reception,
andeven sent various kinds of refreshments for him to the different stagesalong his route.
In Tezcuco a banquet was prepared in his honour,and when he had approached to within a
short distance of Mexico,Cortes went out to meet him, accompanied by several officers.
Garay was not a little astonished when he beheld the many largetowns, and at length the
city of Mexico itself. Cortes gave him hisown new palace to live in, and immediately began
to converse with himabout the posture of his affairs, and to deliberate what further stepsit
would be most advisable for him to adopt. Alvarado, Sandoval andfather Olmedo used their
utmost influence with Cortes to furtherGaray's views; and the latter had scarcely been four
days in Mexicowhen father Olmedo, in order to substantiate the good understandingwhich
had arisen between him and Cortes, brought about the preliminariesof a marriage between a
natural daughter of the latter, who wasstill very young, and the son of Garay.
It was at length settled that Garay should continue commander-in-chiefof his fleet, and that
he should colonize the country on the riverPalmas, for which purpose Cortes was to furnish
him with everythingthat was necessary, and even with officers and men. It was also agreed
that Cortes should give a very large sum of money as a marriageportion to his daughter.
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