In answer to this Cortes said he would first see how much each man's share amounted to, and he would try if he could not satisfy all parties. Our officers and men now insisted that this calculation should instantly be gone into, when it was found that every cavalry soldier would have to receive 100 pesos, and the musketeers and crossbow-men I forget how much. None of the men would accept of this miserable pittance, and they began to throw out bitter complaints against Cortes and the royal treasurer, who excused himself by saying, that there was nothing more for them, as Cortes had deducted for himself an equal portion with the crown, and had besides claimed large sums in payment for the horses which had been killed, and such like; also, many curious objects of value had not at all been added to the common stock, but had been set apart as particular presents for the emperor. They should not, therefore, concluded Alderete, cavil with him about it, but with Cortes.
As there were friends and partisans among our troops of the governor of Cuba, and soldiers of Narvaez's corps who were besides this ill inclined towards Cortes, they obstinately refused to accept of the gold which was offered them, saying, they were entitled to much more.
About this time Cortes was staying at Cojohuacan, and inhabited a large palace, the walls of which had been recently fresh plastered and white-washed, so that they were well adapted for writing on with charcoal or other colours. Every morning that came, a couple of biting epigrams or satires were found written on these walls, either in prose 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 always correct themselves again; may Cortes, in his love of power, take this as a precept._ At another time: _We are much more conquered ourselves than conquerors, and should not be called the conquerors of New Spain, but the conquered of Cortes._ Then again: _Cortes is not content with taking his share of the gold as general, but must also have his royal fifths._ Again: _Alas! how my heart does grieve, ever since I have seen my share of the booty!_ And then again: _Diego Velasquez has spent all his fortune to discover the coast up to Panuco, but Cortes has reaped the harvest._ Such like sayings were numerous, many of which I should not wish to repeat here.