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Cortes actually surprised Narvaez in the town in which he had taken refuge and seized him after an attack a night surprise of bold and audacious conception by the two hundred and fifty against the twelve hundred which was completely successful. With Narvaez in Cortes's hands all opposition ceased on the part of the men.
De Narvaez turned to face his foe; and his dark face blanched beneath the fierce eye of the French giant. It was but a moment. Charles crossed swords with him; once, twice and as if he had been saying "One, two three, die!" he plunged his blade through and through the body of the spy. "Hot work, but glorious!" he exclaimed, as the Spaniard fell heavily in the dust. "Five in as many minutes.
This was a great undertaking, and required skilful generalship, as well as boldness and skill in execution. Though a gallant warrior, Narvaez was not equal to the task he had set himself, and Cortes, having learned what was before him, turned the tables upon Narvaez and his force by becoming the arrestor instead of the arrested.
Ferdinand Cortès His character His appointment Preparations for the expedition, and attempts of Velasquez to stop it Landing at Vera-Cruz Mexico and the Emperor Montezuma The republic of Tlascala March upon Mexico The Emperor is made prisoner Narvaez defeated The Noche Triste Battle of Otumba The second siege and taking of Mexico Expedition to Honduras Voyage to Spain Expeditions on the Pacific Ocean Second Voyage of Cortès to Spain His death.
A small body of the troops of Cortez, commanded by Sandoval, were in garrison at Villa Rica; and he at once dispatched a messenger with the news to Cortez, and prepared for a vigorous defense. A priest, a noble, and four Spaniards who arrived from Narvaez, ordering him to surrender, were bound, placed on the backs of Indian porters, and sent off to Mexico under a strong guard.
The valiant Narvaez, seeing three of his cavaliers extended on the earth, and two others hotly engaged with the Moor, was struck with admiration, and coveted a contest with so accomplished a warrior. Interfering in the fight, he called upon his followers to desist, and addressing the Moor, with courteous words, invited him to a more equal combat. The latter readily accepted the challenge.
Obliged to reimbark, and the weather proving stormy, the barks were all dispersed, and none of them ever more heard of except that in which Cabeza de Vaca was, which was thrown ashore. Panfilo de Narvaez and most of his men were assuredly lost in the storm, or destroyed by the Indians on shore; though there was a foolish report long current that he had penetrated to the South Sea.
Don Rodrigo de Narvaez was greatly moved by this recital; for, though more used to rugged war, than scenes of amorous softness, he was of a kind and generous nature. "Abendaraez," said he, "I did not seek thy confidence to gratify an idle curiosity. It grieves me much that the good fortune which delivered thee into my hands, should have marred so fair an enterprise.
In this island they were attacked by the natives, and many, both of the Spaniards and natives, were slain. Narvaez, and his people, saw some gold among the Indians of Florida, who said they had it from Apalachen. He therefore went to that town in search of gold, where they found abundance of bay trees, and others of many different kinds, and plenty of beasts and birds, but neither gold nor silver.
So little progress has there been in Spain from the middle ages to to-day in true political science, that we see such butchers as Caballero and Valmaseda repeating to-day the crimes and follies of Cortes and Pamfilo Narvaez, of Pizarro and Almagro, and the revolt of the bloodthirsty volunteers of the Havana is only a question of time.
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