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…
treasury of Motecusuma when it came into the hands of Quauhtemoctzin; for by far the
greaterpart had been taken out as a present for our emperor.
Among the things which were collected together on this occasion, there were various
objects of beautiful workmanship, which it would be too tedious to describe. One thing
however is certain, and manywere bold enough to assert it, that the emperor's fifths were
not takenof a third part of what there really was.
I said above that there was some truth in what was stated byQuauhtemoctzin with regard to
his having ordered a quantity of goldand other things to be thrown into the lake. I, with
many of mycompanions proved this to be a fact, for we frequently dived to thebottom of
the water in the spot which had been pointed out by themonarch. Each time we brought up
some trifling trinket or other, which were afterwards demanded of us by Cortes and the
royal treasurer.On one occasion they both accompanied us to this spot, and took anumber
of good divers with them, who brought up various ornaments of gold, worth altogether
about one hundred pesos; but this was nothingin comparison to the treasure which was said
to have beenthrown in by the command of the monarch.
When the gold we took on this occasion came to be divided, theofficers and all our men
were of opinion that what would fall to eachone's share would scarcely be worth accepting;
wherefore fatherOlmedo, Avila, Alvarado, and other cavaliers proposed to Cortes, thatthe
whole should be distributed among the invalids, the blind, thelame, the deaf, and those who
had been accidentally burnt by powder; assuring him that we others who enjoyed good
health, would gladly accede to this. Their object in making this proposal was to induce
Cortes to add so much to each one's share as to make it worthy ofour acceptance; for the
suspicion was become pretty general that he had concealed the greater part of
Quauhtemoctzin's treasure.
In answer to this Cortes said he would first see how much eachman's share amounted to,
and he would try if he could not satisfy allparties. Our officers and men now insisted that
this calculationshould instantly be gone into, when it was found that every cavalrysoldier
would have to receive 100 pesos, and the musketeers and crossbow-menI forget how much.
None of the men would accept of thismiserable pittance, and they began to throw out bitter
complaintsagainst Cortes and the royal treasurer, who excused himself by saying,that there
was nothing more for them, as Cortes had deducted forhimself an equal portion with the
crown, and had besides claimedlarge sums in payment for the horses which had been killed,
and suchlike; also, many curious objects of value had not at all been added tothe common
stock, but had been set apart as particular presents for the emperor. They should not,
therefore, concluded Alderete, cavilwith him about it, but with Cortes.
[Pg 119]
As there were friends and partisans among our troops of the governorof Cuba, and soldiers
of Narvaez's corps who were besides this ill inclined towards Cortes, they obstinately
refused to accept of thegold which was offered them, saying, they were entitled to much
more.
About this time Cortes was staying at Cojohuacan, and inhabited alarge palace, the walls of
which had been recently fresh plastered andwhite-washed, so that they were well adapted
for writing on withcharcoal or other colours. Every morning that came, a couple ofbiting
epigrams or satires were found written on these walls, either inprose or rhyme. One time
for instance you would read: The sun,moon, stars, firmament, the sea and the earth have
their fixed course,and if ever they do diverge from their regular course, they alwayscorrect
themselves again; may Cortes, in his love of power, take thisas a precept. At another time:
We are much more conquered ourselves than conquerors, and should not be called the
conquerors of NewSpain, but the conquered of Cortes. Then again: Cortes is not content
with taking his share of the gold as general, but must also have hisroyal fifths. Again: Alas!
how my heart does grieve, ever sinceI have seen my share of the booty! And then again:
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