[229] Passing through two towns, the soldiers suffering greatly from heat and fatigue. Near Cempoala the lord awaited them in some temporary huts with bountiful cheer, though apprehensive of Cortés’ anger at his deception. The following day they entered the city. _Bernal Diaz_, _Hist. Verdad._, 35; _Herrera_, dec. ii. lib. v. cap. xiii. [230] ‘Veinte Doncellas (aunque Gomara dice, que fueron ocho),’ says Torquemada, i. 399, without giving his reasons. [231] ‘Tambien auian de ser limpios de sodomias, porque tenian muchachos vestidos en habito de mugeres, que andauan â ganar en aquel maldito oficio.’ This they promised. _Bernal Diaz_, _Hist. Verdad._, 35. Solis assumes that Cortés was aroused to this crusade by the heavy sacrifices at a great festival. _Hist. Mex._, i. 204-5. [232] Gomara makes the natives tear down the idols and the sepulchres of caciques worshipped as gods. ‘Acabo con los de la ciudad que derribassen los idolos y sepulcros de los caciques, q̄ tambien reuerẽciauan como a dioses.’ _Hist. Mex._, 67. [233] _Bernal Diaz_, _Hist. Verdad._, 36; _Herrera_, dec. ii. lib. v. cap. ix. xiv. Gomara places the presentation of the women at the first visit of the Spaniards to the city, and herein he is followed by Herrera, Torquemada, and Ixtlilxochitl. _Hist. Chich._, 289. [234] These proved the more valuable since Cortés’ horse had died shortly before. He obtained, by gift or purchase, the fine Arriero, a dark chestnut belonging to Ortiz, the musician, and to García, the miner. _Bernal Diaz_, _Hist. Verdad._, 33. Gomara assumes that Salcedo brought a caravel, with sixty Spaniards and nine horses, the vessel having been detained in Cuba for repairs. _Hist. Mex._, 59; yet he includes Salcedo as present at the final review there. _Id._, 14. He is evidently confused. [235] For himself and one heir. Further, after conquering and settling four islands, he might select one from which to receive perpetually for himself and heirs one twentieth part of all the revenue accruing therefrom for the king. No duty would be charged during his life on any clothing, arms, and provisions imported by him into those lands. As an aid toward the expenses of the conquest, a royal estate at Habana was granted him, and a salary in those lands of 300,000 maravedís. The other clauses of the commission related to mines, clergy, taxes, and settlers. It was dated at Saragossa, November 13, 1518, ‘five days previous to the usurpation of the fleet by Cortés,’ observes Las Casas, _Hist. Ind._, v. 3-5. Dated at Barcelona, says Herrera, dec. ii. lib. iii. cap. xi. Several are led to suppose that Velazquez did not receive the notice of his appointment for over a year after its date, which is unlikely. _Mex._, ii. 222-3.