Summary of Buddy Levy's Conquistador

Please note: This is a companion version & not the original book. Sample Book Insights: #1 Cortés had staked everything he had on this expedition. He had incurred significant debt building the ships and stocking them with provisions. His hope to get off to a good start was slightly compromised when his patron, the fat hidalgo Diego Velázquez, attempted to thwart his departure. #2 When the conquistadors arrived on the island, they found that the local Indians had fled at the arrival of the first ships. Cortés noted their fear and filed it away as useful information. He then met with the islanders and released some prisoners. #3 Cortés had his crew assemble the horses and lead them onto the island. The islanders were shocked by the horses, and Cortés had his cavalrymen ride them along the beach. The islanders then approached the Spaniards more closely, and tugged at their beards and stroked their white skin. #4 Cortés was interested in the fact that the islanders had Spanish-speaking neighbors. He asked the island’s chief for a few of his men to be sent to explore the Spaniards and bring back information. The islanders agreed, but they were worried that the Spanish would sacrifice their men.