The Mexicans repeated their assurance that his application would be unavailing, and left with some coldness of manner.

The effect of their displeasure at the insistence of the Spaniards was soon manifest, the natives ceasing to bring in provisions.
While awaiting the emperor's reply, the soldiers suffered greatly from the heat and the effluvia from the neighboring marshes.

Thirty died, and as the anchorage was exposed to the northern gales, Cortez decided to sail north as soon as the answer to his last application was received, and sent off two vessels to see where a safe port could be found.

Ten days after the departure of the envoys they returned with a large quantity of fresh presents, but with a positive refusal on the part of the emperor to allow them to advance near the capital, and a request that, now they had obtained what they most desired, they would at once return to their own country.
Four days later the ships returned, with the news that they had found but one sheltered port, and that the country round it was well watered and favorable for a camp.
The soldiers, however, were now growing discontented.

The treasure already acquired was large, the unhealthiness of the climate had alarmed them, and the proofs of the wealth and greatness of the Mexican Empire had convinced them that it needed a vastly larger force than that which Cortez had under his orders to undertake an expedition against it; for the courage showed by the Tabascans had proved conclusively that, ill armed as they were, the natives were not to be despised.
Fortunately for Cortez, five Indians made their appearance in camp one morning.