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…
strictly to forbid the troops ofGaray or any other Spaniards to plunder or in anywise to illuse
theinhabitants.
Sandoval was vastly pleased when Ocampo arrived, who, withoutdelay, brought the Indian
caziques and chiefs to trial; and, as theythemselves confessed they had had a hand in the
murder of the Spaniardsabove mentioned, they were found guilty, and some were sentenced
to be hung, some to be burnt alive, and others were liberated altogether. The sons and
brothers of those who had been sentenced to death were appointed to the vacant
caziquedoms, according to theirrespective rightful claims.
Here Ocampo's business did not end, for he was likewise empoweredby Cortes to institute
inquiries against those of Garay's troops whohad strolled about the country like so many
banditti, and thereby caused the insurrection among the Indian population. The whole of
thesefellows Ocampo put on board one of the vessels, and sent them to theisland of Cuba.
Grijalva he left the choice, by command of Cortes,either to accept of 2000 pesos, which
would instantly be paid down to him, and sail with the others to Cuba, or to repair to
Mexico and enterthe service of Cortes, by which he would benefit himself and be raisedto
high honours; but he, with the whole of them, chose rather to return to Cuba, where the
greater part had Indian commendaries.This vessel was therefore well victualled, and sailed
under the commandof a certain Vallecillo for the last-mentioned island.
Ocampo and Sandoval, upon this, returned to Mexico, where theywere splendidly received
by Cortes and the whole town; and the joyat Sandoval's triumphant return was the greater,
as every one had entertained doubts as to the probable issue of this campaign. Father
Olmedo even proposed a day of thanksgiving, which was accordingly celebrated in the
church of our dear Lady. For the rest, this provinceever after remained very tranquil and
obedient.
[Pg 163]
CHAPTER CLXIII.
How the licentiate Zuazo set sail for New Spain in a small vessel,
accompanied by two monks of the order of Charity; and their remarkable
adventures on this voyage.
I mentioned in a former chapter that the licentiate Zuazo promisedGaray, during the few
days he stayed at Cuba, that he would repair in person to Mexico, and try to settle the
differences between him andCortes. He had first wished to render an account to the royal
courtof audience at St. Domingo of his administration of justice in theisland of Cuba, after
which he really set sail for New Spain. On thisvoyage he took along with him two monks
of the order of Charity, one of whom was named Juan Varillas, and the other Gonzalo
Pondevedra.The former was a native of Salamanca, and a most intimate friend of father
Olmedo, to visit whom he had purposely asked permission ofhis superiors, and had been
staying some time at Cuba with fatherGonzalo to await a favorable opportunity of crossing
over to New Spain. As he was a relation of Zuazo, he begged he would allow father
Gonzaloand himself to accompany him on this occasion. This Zuazo readilygranted, and
they both accordingly embarked with him in a small vessel.They had scarcely doubled the
cape of Sant Anton, (which is also calledthe land of Gamatabeis, a wild tribe of Indians
whom the Spaniardshave not yet subdued,) when, either through ignorance of the pilot or
owing to heavy currents, they were driven out of their right course, andwere wrecked off
the Viboras isles, which lie between the shallows nearthe so termed Alacranes sands. When
large vessels get aground here,they are inevitably lost; whereas the smallness of Zuazo's
vessel wasthe very means of his preservation. Yet, in order to lighten the vessel,they were
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