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…
of Palos, oppositethe church of our dear lady of Rabida. At the first sight of land everyone
on board fell down on his knees, and with uplighted hands offeredup fervent thanks to God
for this prosperous voyage. Cortes' arrivalin Spain took place in the month of December of
the year 1527.
During this voyage Sandoval fell dangerously ill, and Cortes' joy athis safe arrival in his
native land was soon changed into excessive grief, for a few days after it pleased the
Almighty to take away this ourgeneral's faithful companion in arms. Sandoval was still at
Palos, andlodged in the house of a rope-maker; and here, while lying on hisdeath-bed, he
was forced patiently to behold the master of the houseopen one of his trunks, and take out
thirteen bars of gold. This fellowhad watched the favorable opportunity when Sandoval's
servants hadall hastened to the Rabida, to call Cortes to his dying friend, so thathe was left
quite alone; besides which, he was so helpless and weak,that he durst not even cry out, lest
the rope-maker, who had the verycountenance of a villain, should have smothered him with
the cushions.The thief immediately fled with the gold bars, and escaped to Portugal,nor
was he ever heard of again.
Cortes, on learning the dangerous state in which Sandoval lay, hastened to his bedside,
where he learnt what I have just stated, from the latter's own mouth. Persons were
immediately sent in pursuit ofthe thief, but it was too late, the fellow got clear away.
Sandoval's health was daily growing worse, so that at length the physicians gave up all
hopes of his life, and told him his end was drawing nigh. Saudoval then confessed, and
received the last sacramentswith the greatest devotion. He made his last will, to which he
appointedCortes executor, set apart large sums for the poor and thecloisters, and left his
sister or sisters heir to his property. I am notsure whether he had more than one sister, but I
know that subsequentlya sister of his married a natural son of the earl of Medellin. A short
time after he had made his will Sandoval rendered up his soul into thehands of his Maker,
and his death caused universal and heartfelt grief. He was buried with every imaginable
pomp in the monastery of our dearlady of Rabida, and Cortes, with the whole of his suite,
put on mourningfor him. May God have mercy upon his soul! Amen!
The next thing Cortes did was to announce his arrival to his majesty, to the cardinal de
Siguenza, the duke of Bejar, the earl of Aguilar, andto many other cavaliers of distinction.
He also mentioned Sandoval's death, and was unbounded in the praise of his excellent
character, ofthe important services he had rendered to the crown, of his great talentsas a
commander, and of his personal courage. Though the monarchwas greatly rejoiced at the
arrival of Cortes in Spain, yet the death ofSandoval caused him much grief, as he had been
duly informed of themany excellent qualities of this officer. The cardinal de Siguenza and
the whole of the council of the Indies were no less grieved at his death.The duke of Bejar,
the earl of Aguilar, and several other cavaliers certainlyevinced no less sorrow at the death
of this brave officer, yet itwas soon lost in the joy they experienced at the arrival of Cortes.
[Pg 329]
The duke of Bejar and the earl of Aguilar now called upon hismajesty, who had already
received Cortes' letter. During this audiencethe former told his majesty that he himself had
always been convinced of Cortes' loyalty, and that a man who had rendered the greatest
servicesto his monarch could not fail to be equally faithful to that sovereignin all other
matters; and this was sufficiently evident in the conduct of Cortes, who, placing all his
reliance on a clear conscience, had fearlesslycome to Spain. The duke had every reason for
thus expressing himself, for during the time when various heavy accusations had been
brought against Cortes, he had become responsible for him and his companions in arms
with both his life and property; nor had heomitted on any occasion to extol our loyalty and
our services to theskies; which at that time seemed the more meritorious, as Peru wasnot
yet discovered. The emperor, indeed, changed his sentiments with regard to Cortes in so
wonderful a degree as to issue ordersthat he was to be received with the highest honours in
every town hepassed through. The first person who gave Cortes a splendid receptionwas
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