Here he issued proclamations inviting recruits to join him.
These came in in considerable numbers, among them a hundred men from Grijalva's ship, which had just before reached the port.
What was still more important, several cavaliers of high family and standing joined him: among them the Alvarados, Olid, Avila, Velasquez de Leon (a near relation of the governor), and Sandoval.
He purchased at Trinidad large military stores and provisions.
While he was taking these and other steps to strengthen his position, Verdugo, the commander of the town, received letters from Velasquez ordering him to seize Cortez; but upon his communicating these orders to the principal officers of the expedition, they pointed out to him that, if he attempted to take such a grave step, the soldiers and sailors would certainly resist it, and the town would not improbably be laid in ashes.

The expedition then sailed round the island to Havana, where Cortez completed his preparations; and in spite of another ineffectual attempt of Velasquez to detain him, set sail.
In the time that had intervened between the inception of the expedition and its departure, the historians agree that a remarkable change had come over Cortez.

He was still frank and pleasant in his manner, courteous and cheery with all; but he was no longer the gay, careless character who had been liked, but scarcely greatly respected, in the island.

His whole actions were marked by an air of resolute determination and authority.

He himself superintended every detail of work and exhibited a thoughtfulness, prudence, and caution that seemed alien to his former character.