Note 679 — Chapter XXI · THE COUP DE MAÎTRE OF CORTÉS. May, 1520.

‘La respuesta ... fué prender al escribano y á la persona que con mi poder ... los cuales estuvieron detenidos hasta que llegó otro mensajero que yo envié.’ ‘Escribí una carta al dicho Narvaez y otra á los terceros, diciéndoles cómo yo habia sabido su mala intencion.’ Cortés, Cartas, 122-3. The reference to a messenger indicates Cortés’ meaning to be that Chico preceded Velazquez de Leon. Gomara assumes that Cortés’ pretext for withdrawing the proposal for an interview was that Narvaez had declined to entertain the points to be there discussed. See note 19. Chico had warned him of the intended treachery. Hist. Mex., 144. ‘Y que supiesse que no auian de cantar dos gallos en vn muladar, y que aparejasse las manos.’ Herrera, dec. ii. lib. ix. cap. xxi. Bernal Diaz sends the message with Olmedo, ‘since no royal notary dare carry it,’ and gives Narvaez three days in which to send in any commission he may possess signed by the king. Without such commission he must leave the country, or Cortés will seize him and inflict punishment for the outrage on Aillon and on the Indians. This ultimatum was signed also by the captains and some soldiers, including Bernal Diaz. Hist. Verdad., 92-3. An answer was demanded through the same messengers. Tapia, Rel., in Icazbalceta, Col. Doc., ii. 588.