HERNANDO CORTEZ, the conqueror of Mexico, was born in Medellin, in the Province of Estremadura, Spain, in the year 1485. His ancestors had enjoyed wealth and rank; but the family was now poor. His father, a captain in the Spanish army, poor, yet proud of the Castilian blood which flowed in his veins, cherished ambitious views for his son. Young Cortez was sent to the University of Salamanca ; but he had no inclination for study, and the two years spent there were worse than wasted. He left this seat of learning at the age of sixteen, and in the next year enlisted in an expedition, under Gonsalvo de Cordova, to assist the Italians against the French. Just as the expedition was on the point of starting, a sudden illness compelled him to remain at home.

In 1504 Cortez sailed for Santo Domingo, now called Haiti, where a relative of his was Governor. Here seven years were spent in an idle and voluptuous life. In 1511 the Spaniards determined on an expedition against the Island of Cuba, and Cortez obtained a prominent position in this adventure. Cuba was taken, and Velasquez, the Governor, appointed Cortez his secretary. An old Castilian and his four daughters came to the island. Cortez trifled with the affections of one of these ladies; but he was compelled by the Governor to marry her. Thus he became the husband of Catalina Xuarez, an amiable and beautiful lady of very estimable character.

When Mexico was discovered in 1518, the Spaniards determined on securing the country. Cortez, whose extravagance had involved him in debt, sought now to gratify his love of adventure and to secure wealth for himself by obtaining the command of the expedition. The Governor hesitated, but yielded at last, and announced Cortez as CaptainGeneral of the venture.

As soon as Cortez received this commission his whole character seemed to experience a total change. He was now thirty-three years of age, and renounced the follies of his youth. He became serious, earnest, thoughtful. The Governor, Velasquez, becoming jealous, withdrew from his engagement to supply Cortez with the necessary means for the expedition. Cortez now hastened his departure; he proclaimed that he went on his own account. Having taken on board supplies for which he gave the owner a chain of gold in payment, he set sail from St. Jago on the 18th of November, 1518, with about 300 Spaniards in six ships. Landing at Trinidad, he invited volunteers to join the expedition. Men flocked around his black velvet banner, embroidered with gold, and emblazoned with a cross. He seized two trading vessels, laden with provisions and valuable merchandise, and by his peculiar powers of moral suasion, induced the captains and their crews to enlist in his service. In all he enlisted about 200 men at Trinidad. A further supply of provisions, secured at Havana, comfortably filled the stores of the fleet.

Whilst Cortez lingered at Havana Governor Velasquez sent an order that he should be arrested, and the fleet should be seized. Cortez received private information of this, and that very night got his ships under weigh and sailed for St. Antonio, where all soon arrived in good condition. Here he reviewed the forces and found they numbered 550 Spaniards. About 200 Indians, natives of Cuba, were taken for carrying burdens, together with several negroes and native women, and sixteen horses. He divided his men into eleven companies, placing a captain over each company. When the whole expedition was in readiness for sailing, he made a stirring address to his followers, which was received with tumult

uous applause. After celebrating Mass, and invoking St. Peter, his patron saint, he gave orders for the fleet to get under weigh, and the expedition finally sailed on the eighteenth of February, 1519. A terrible tempest arose, and the ships were driven wildly before the storm. All, however, arrived safely at the Island of Cozumel.

Pedro de Alvarado, one of his captains, had reached this rendezvous two days in advance of the expedition. Entering a town from which the natives had fled in terror on his approach, Alvarado and his soldiers seized upon everything of any value, even stripping the temple of its idols with their ornaments of gold. They also took three of the natives prisoners. As soon as Cortez arrived, he was greatly incensed, publicly reprimanded Alvarado for his rash and impolitic conduct, set the prisoners at liberty, and, giving them presents, expressed his regret at what had taken place during his absence. The natives soon became reconciled to the strangers and opened with them a lucrative trade. Cortez remained on this island for about two weeks, and was on the point of taking his departure when he was informed that a canoe was crossing from Yucatan and coming in their direction. In it were four men; one of them being a shipwrecked Spaniard, Geronimo d'Aguilar, who had for some time been held a prisoner by the natives. As he had acquired their language he was joyfully received by Cortez, who appointed him interpreter. On the 4th of March the squadron again set sail.

Coasting north some hundred miles, Cortez doubled Cape Catoche and arrived at the broad mouth of the river Tabasco. Cortez afterwards called this river Rio Grande, and the town on its banks Potonchan. Ascending the river, the boats drew near the shore, and Cortez, through his interpreter, requested leave to land for supplies of fresh water and provisions. The Indians asked one night to consider his request. During the night they carried away their effects and women and children. In the morning eight boats filled with armed Indians brought Cortez a small quantity of provisions, saying that they could not fetch more, as the inhabitants had all fled from the town through fear; and begging him to take this supply and return. to the sea, and not disturb the peace of the country. When

they refused to permit the Spaniards to enter their town, Cortez landed with about two hundred men. The Indians fought with desperation. Several Spaniards were wounded; but Cortez soon took the place. This was the first city taken by force of arms in the course of the expedition. Cortez took up his quarters in the temple. The natives fled; but the whole surrounding region was now aroused.

These Indians, in point of civilization, were far above the condition of savages, and had large fields in a high state of cultivation. Cortez and his men marched through what appeared a large garden, and arrived at the ground occupied

by the native army. A terrible battle took place on the 25th

of March, 1518, in which seventy Spaniards were wounded and one killed; but Cortez with his cavalry swept all before him. The spirit of resistance was utterly crushed. The natives immediately sent a delegation to him, bringing presents of gold, cotton mantles, ornaments of feathers, and twenty female slaves; and having made many excuses for their conduct, submitted unconditionally to their conqueror. Departing from Tabasco, the expedition continued its cruise in a northwesterly direction, following the coast until they reached the islands of Sacrificios and San Juan de Ulua, opposite the present city of Vera Cruz.

Hardly were the anchors dropped before two canoes filled with natives came off to the ships. Two of the persons in these canoes were men of distinction in the Mexican empire. They came from the Governor, who was named Teuhtile, and gave Cortez to understand that their master wished to know what people they were and what they wanted, and to offer them any assistance for the prosecution of their voyage. Aguilar, the interpreter, was now at fault, not understanding the Aztec language. However, he entertained the messengers in a hospitable manner and dismissed them with presents. Next day being Good Friday, Cortez landed. The Spaniards built huts from the branches of trees. On Easter Day the Governor paid Cortez a visit, presenting him with supplies of food, several rich jewels of gold and ornaments of feathers. Among the twenty female slaves given to the Spanish leader at Tabasco. Cortez discovered that there was one who knew

the Aztec language. In the distribution of these slaves she had been assigned to Don Alonzo Puertocarrero, one of the Spanish officers. With the rest of the slaves she had been baptized at Tabasco, and had taken the name of Marina. Cortez gave her her freedom on condition that she would act with fidelity as an interpreter. Marina afterwards throughout the conquest of Mexico proved of invaluable service to the expedition.

Cortez was now fully resolved to conquer the country, and to make a permanent settlement in it. He was invited by the lord of the city of Cemporal to visit that place. They found Cemporal to be a well-built city of great beauty. The chief, on visiting Cortez, complained of the oppression of Montezuma, the Mexican ruler, and wished to form an alliance. with the Spaniards against him. Cortez proceeded now to build a town at a point called by the Mexicans Chiahuityztla, and gave this settlement the name of La Villa Rica de la Vera Cruz. This was the first Spanish colony on the continent of North America.

ence.

Cortez avowed his intention of visiting Montezuma at his capital. He sent a messenger to that King desiring an audiAfter eight days an embassy arrived at the camp from the Mexican capital, bearing costly gifts from Montezuma. The Mexican ruler, however, refused to allow the Spaniards to visit his capital. Cortez was much chagrined. He availed himself of the discontent at Cemporal to incite a civil war, believing that by so doing he might accomplish his ends. Taking up his residence in that city, where he and his men were received with great pomp, he awaited events. Montezuma sent four of his lords demanding twenty young men and twenty young women, who were to be sacrificed to their gods, as a punishment for the city's action in giving support to the Spaniards. Cortez advised the cacique or chief of Cemporal to cast these lords into prison, which was accordingly done. Cortez secretly connived at their escape and sent a message to Montezuma assuring him of the friendly spirit of the Spaniards. Such was the treachery of Cortez to his faithful allies. Disaffection arose among the Spaniards, some of whom desired to return at once to Cuba, and actually were