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                         ROGER THE BOLD

               _A TALE OF THE CONQUEST OF MEXICO_

                 BY LT.-COLONEL F. S. BRERETON

    Author of "The Dragon of Pekin" "Tom Stapleton, the Boy Scout" &c.

    _ILLUSTRATED BY STANLEY L. WOOD_

    BLACKIE AND SON LIMITED
    LONDON GLASGOW AND BOMBAY




[Illustration: "HE LEAPED UPON THE TOP OF THE BARRICADE"]




CONTENTS


    CHAP.                                          PAGE

        I. THE IMAGE OF THE SUN                       9

       II. OFF TO THE TERRA FIRMA                    24

      III. ROGER THE LIEUTENANT                      41

       IV. THE ISLAND OF CUBA                        61

        V. A VALUABLE CAPTURE                        80

       VI. A STRANGER COMES ABOARD                  102

      VII. THE HAND OF THE TRAITOR                  121

     VIII. A CITY BY THE WATER                      139

       IX. LED TO THE SACRIFICE                     160

        X. ROGER AT BAY                             179

       XI. NEWS OF FERNANDO CORTES                  199

      XII. THE SPANIARDS LAY AN AMBUSH              218

     XIII. A SENTENCE OF DEATH                      237

      XIV. ROGER IS TRUE TO HIS COMRADES            257

       XV. BACK TO MEXICO                           274

      XVI. THE FIRST ENCOUNTER                      294

     XVII. A FLEET OF BRIGANTINES                   313

    XVIII. THE DEFENCE OF THE CAUSEWAYS             330

      XIX. ALVAREZ PROBES THE SECRET                347

       XX. A RACE FOR THE OCEAN                     367




ILLUSTRATIONS


                                                           Facing Page

    HE LEAPED UPON THE TOP OF THE BARRICADE              _Frontispiece_

    THE GOLDEN DISK                                                 18

    ROGER SENT HIM ROLLING INTO THE UNDERWOOD                       88

    THE BLADE FELL TRUE ON THE SOLDIER'S HEAD, DROPPING
    HIM LIKE A STONE                                               232

    THE REMAINDER WERE QUICKLY IN FULL FLIGHT                      288

    THE SPANIARD WAS STAGGERED                                     368

    Map of Part of Mexico                               _in page_  146

    Map showing Mexico City and Surroundings            _in page_  169




ROGER THE BOLD




CHAPTER I

The Image of the Sun


"Hi! Hi! Hi! Your attention, if it please you. Gentles and people, I
pray you lend your assistance to one who is in need of help, but who
seeks not for alms. But little is asked of you, and that can be done in
the space of a minute or more. 'Tis but to decipher a letter attached to
this plaque. 'Tis written in some foreign tongue--in Spanish, I should
venture. A silver groat is offered to the one who will translate."

The speaker, a short, large-nosed man of middle age, had taken his stand
upon an upturned barrel, for otherwise he would have been hidden amongst
the people who thronged that part of the city of London, and would have
found it impossible to attract their attention. But as it was, his head
and shoulders reared themselves above the crowd, and he stood there the
observed of all observers. He was dressed in a manner which suggested a
calling partly attached to the sea and partly to do with the profession
of arms, and if there had been any doubt in the minds of those who
watched him, and listened to his harangue, his language, which was
plentifully mingled with coarse nautical expressions of that day, and
his weather-beaten and rugged features, would have assured them at once
that he at least looked to ships and to the sea for his living. Peter
Tamworth was indeed a sailor, every inch of him, but he had been
schooled to other things, and had learned to use arms at times and in
places where failure to protect himself would have led to dire
consequences.

He was a merry fellow, too, for he laughed and joked with the crowd, his
eyes rolling in a peculiar manner all his own. His nose was large, huge
in fact, and of a colour which seemed to betoken a fondness for carousal
when opportunity occurred. A stubbly beard grew at his chin, while the
upper lip was clean shaven, or had been on the previous Sunday, it being
Peter's custom to indulge in a visit to the barber on that day if it
happened that he was in port. A pair of massive shoulders, into which
the neck seemed to be far sunk, completed an appearance, so far as it
could be seen, which seemed to denote a stout fellow, fond of the good
things to be found in this world, and not lacking in courage and
determination when the time for blows arrived. A little later, when he
leaped from the barrel and appeared in the open, it was seen that a
ragged pair of hose covered massive legs, which were unusually bowed,
and should have belonged to a horseman rather than to one who followed
the calling of the sea.

"Come, my masters," he called out again, holding the plaque above his
head, and drumming upon it with the handle of his dagger till it rang
clearly and sweetly like a silver gong. "Here is the Image of the Sun,
and in gold! Yes, gentles and people, I commend this plaque to your
careful attention. 'Tis solid gold--the gold of the Indies, the gold
with which our Spanish cousins get rich and fatten."

The words were sufficient to call the crowd hovering in that
neighbourhood more closely about him. They came running from the
entrance to London Bridge, where many had been lolling, enjoying the
sunshine, and watching the loading of the ships which lay on the mud
below. They came, too, from the city, along old Watling Street, or from
Lombard Street, from beneath the shadow of St. Paul's, then a fine
building which dominated the city of London. For no fire had then
occurred to destroy it, and no monument stood at the opening of the
bridge to tell future Londoners of the danger that had once threatened
their capital. Indeed, though the streets about were narrow, there were
wide spaces here and there, and trees and green fields were very close
at hand. Country people could be seen in the markets not far away, while
the pavements supported a mixture of peaceful folk, of men at arms, or
friars in their robes, and of seamen from the adjacent river. A <DW64>
could occasionally be seen, for Portugal had imported many to her shores
years before, and some had drifted to England, or were employed on the
ships. Whoever they were, whatever their calling, the tale of gold from
the Indies brought them running to the spot where stood Peter Tamworth.

"Gold from the Spanish possessions across the sea," said one city
merchant to his friend as they listened. "They say that Ferdinand of
Spain rolls in riches, that his chairs are of gold, and that his
clothing is heavy with pearls and other jewels. And this fellow, this
rascal, tells us that he has some of the spoil. 'Tis not so easily
gathered. These Spaniards jealously guard their discovery, for, were it
otherwise, there are many who would take ship and try their own fortune
at discovery."

"Many in high places, too," responded his friend, a wizened little man,
who seemed to take the mention of so much gold as a personal affront.
"Riches, indeed, have these Spaniards, and it would be right and proper
if they could be divided."

"Between ourselves, friend, no doubt," laughed the other. "That is a
course to which I give the warmest approval. And 'tis said that even the
king's majesty would stoop to a portion, for his coffers are reported
low."

"And he bears but little love for Ferdinand and Spain. 'Tis
whispered"--he took his comrade by the sleeve and pulled him closer, so
as to speak into his ear--"'tis whispered, and with some truth, by all
accounts, that his Majesty would fain divorce his queen from Aragon, and
take Anne Boleyn in her place. No doubt, if he would do that, he would
also agree to a division of the Indies. But listen to the rascal. He
pretends that the plaque is gold. Way there for his worship, the most
worthy governor of the honourable company of spectacle-makers."

The pompous little fellow prodded those in front, and urged them to one
side, his comrade, a big, genial-looking man, following with a polite
bow, and muttered thanks as the people gave way; for the London
companies were then at the summit of their power, and a governor was a
personage to be reckoned with.

"Gold, I say! Solid gold of more than eighteen carats!" shouted Peter,
unabashed by the presence of such a crowd. "An image of the sun,
beautifully engraved, as all may see who care to approach, and bearing a
plan, as it seems to me, on the reverse. There, gentles and his worship
the governor, come closer and look. Here are roads carved upon the face
of the plaque, roads and houses, and a space all round, no doubt meant
for open country."

"Or the sea, my fine fellow," said the governor, whose prominent
position in London had given him easy passage to the very foot of the
barrel. "Look for yourself. Here are rocks, and, as I live, these must
be boats."

His observation caused his friend to peer even more closely at the image
which Peter held. He dragged a pair of spectacles from an inner pocket,
and, donning them, stared at the inscription.

"They are boats," he said at length, "and this is the sea--or, rather,
an inland lake. Moreover, I believe that the rascal tells the truth. The
plaque is of gold."

"Then it must be worth a hundred pounds, more or less. There are some
who would give that for it, as a relic from the Indies--if, indeed, it
comes from that part."

"While there are others, my masters, who would not part with it for more
than ten times that amount. 'Tis gold, of a surety," went on Peter.
"Solid gold; and it keeps a golden secret. It tells of a place in the
Indies where are gems and riches. This tablet attached may give the
locality, and a ship with brave hearts aboard her might even hit upon
the spot."

"But you cannot think of that! My friend, the cost of equipping a ship
would be greater than the value of this plaque," exclaimed the governor.

"I could not, worshipful sir; and I do not say that there are those who
contemplate it. Much will fall upon the translation of the writing. A
silver groat is offered to the one who will give us help."

"A silver groat! You are safe in offering the sum," laughed the
governor, "for I warrant that there are not two who speak that foreign
tongue, unless it be the ambassador from Spain. Go, then, to him,
rascal, and learn what he has to say. Mayhap he will give the meaning of
the writing on the parchment attached."

"Mayhap he would do even more, your worship, an it please you," answered
Peter, with a cunning smile, placing a finger against his enormous nose.
"Mayhap he would find a place for Peter Tamworth in the stocks, and hold
the plaque for himself, in the name of the King of Spain. Oh yes,
worshipful sir, it would be wise to go to the ambassador!"

There was a roar of laughter, in which all within hearing joined; for
even in those days, before the advent of Drake and his comrades, a
Spanish treasure ship was a fair mark for any British vessel, a proper
cargo to prey upon. The wealth of the Indies had indeed been heard of,
and the fame of the possessions--Hispaniola and Cuba held by the Crown
of Spain--had spread far and wide. What wonder if the news of gold and
gems attracted every one! In Spain itself, thousands were eager to
venture their all in new voyages of discovery, and very many sailed
annually from her shores, hoping to make their fortunes. But to
foreigners the new possessions were forbidden; and so far no Englishman
had dared to venture to the Spanish main. Perhaps for that very reason
they hailed with all the more delight the news of a captured Spaniard,
and listened to tales of the wealth aboard with wide-open eyes, while
their cupidity was aroused. Here was another tale, and before their
faces was dangled a large plaque, full ten inches across, which had come
from the Indies. No wonder that they were attracted, and stared at Peter
with unwonted interest.

"The stocks would be a friendly place to find yourself in," suddenly
said a man, who hitherto had stood silently looking at the plaque.
"Perhaps, were the ambassador from the court of Ferdinand to see this
gold, and learn from whence it came, a rope would encircle your neck,
friend of the big nose."

Peter Tamworth started and changed colour. He looked closely at the
stranger, and was on the point of answering flippantly, when something
caused him to hold his tongue and doff his ragged cap. For the one who
had spoken bore an air of authority, and, moreover, was dressed in the
height of the fashion. Indeed, he had only just then alighted from a
gilded chair borne between two horses, for he had been passing across
the bridge and had been attracted by the gathering. That he was, in
fact, a person of no ordinary consequence was plainly evident, for the
worshipful governor no sooner set eyes upon him than he dropped on one
knee.

"My lord," he said, "the rascal jests only, and no doubt he is well able
to account to any one for the possession of the plaque. But see it for
yourself, sir. It is of vast interest, and from the little that I know
I should judge has indeed come from the Indies. Back there, good people!
Do not press closely upon his noble lordship."

There was a stir in the crowd and, obedient to the request, they fell
back a little, for the nobleman who had so suddenly appeared was well
known to all. Indeed, he held a high place at the court of his Majesty,
King Henry the Eighth, the reigning monarch. Very soon he was left in a
clear space, so that one could inspect him. He was tall and very fair,
and, as has been said, dressed in the finest clothing. But for all that,
dandy though he undoubtedly was, he bore a martial air, which was
increased by his manner of carrying his sword. He was calm, too, with
the coolness of one who is used to being the centre of large throngs.

"A golden plaque from the Indies," he said, as he took the Image of the
Sun from Peter and rang it with his knuckle. "And I see on one side a
finely graven image which surely represents the sun. On the reverse
there is sketched a plan of some buildings."

"Which appear to be built on bridges, with viaducts running from them,
and water all round, may it please your lordship," interposed the
governor.

"And boats upon the water," added the stranger. "In fact, a city like
this London, only built in still water instead of beside a river. And
surely there is something stranger still at this point."

He placed his finger almost in the centre of the picture graven on the
gold plaque, and held it there while he fumbled in his dress. Then he
drew out a glass, set in a fine gold frame, and held it above the
engraving.

"Birds and beasts," he said solemnly. "Then the people who dwell in this
strange part keep animals for their pleasure, showing that they must be
civilized to some degree. Come, rascal, what tale have you to tell in
connection with this relic? Have no fear, for though I am the Earl of
Essex, and have the king's ear, I am not the one to take spoil from an
honest sailor."

He stood holding the plaque and inspecting it with increasing interest
while Peter changed from one leg to the other, blowing hot and cold, and
wearing a comical look of perplexity not unmingled with fear.

"Your answer?" demanded the earl. "And have no fear. Have I not said
that I will harm you in no way? Nor will I allow any one to take this
plaque from you."

"'Tis not that, noble sir," answered Peter at last, summoning courage to
speak, and doffing his cap again with becoming deference. "But there are
ears within hearing, and tongues wag in this city no doubt as fast as
they do elsewhere. May it please you to come closer that I may speak?"

The earl at once stepped to the foot of the barrel, motioning the
governor and his friend to do the same.

"They shall also listen, if you will permit, my good fellow. For they
are interested, and can be trusted to keep the secret. Now, the tale."

"'Tis short, and soon told, your lordship. I have but just returned upon
