in ten small tubes, besides various pretty ornaments. These
chiefs were clad in very large cotton cloaks, which hung down to their
feet, and were embroidered after the manner of the Moorish mantle. They
presented themselves to Sandoval with a most respectful demeanour, who
received them most courteously, and gave them some glass beads. This
kind reception emboldened them to beg of him that some of his teules
might accompany them home, in order to assist their country in a war
against the Minxes; but as Sandoval at that moment could not well spare
any of his men, as a great part of Briones' detachment was wounded, and
many suffering with fever, of which four men had recently died, he put
off these chiefs with many flattering assurances, and promised them he
would request Malinche, who was at Mexico, to send a strong body of
teules to their assistance; in the meantime he would send eight of his
companions with them to explore the dangerous passes and that part of
the country from which they intended to fall upon the Minxes. But
Sandoval's real motive in sending these ten soldiers with them was, that
they might visit those districts, and particularly the mines whence the
Xaltepecs obtained their gold. Three of the caziques Sandoval desired
should remain with him, and the rest left in our company. It happened
that there were three soldiers of the name of Castillo in Sandoval's
troops, who all accompanied the caziques on this occasion. One was
Alonso de Castillo, surnamed the _Discreet_, because he always gave a
ready and suitable answer to any question that was put to him; the
second was myself, whom the soldiers surnamed the _Gallant_, for at that
time I prided myself very much on my courteous behaviour: the third
Castillo had a very meditative countenance, and always took a long time
to consider before he replied; but when he did it was sure to be
something very ridiculous, and he was surnamed the _Deliberate_. But
enough of this. We arrived in the province, and began diligently to
explore the mines, accompanied by a great number of Indians, who washed
the gold dust for us in a kind of trough, from the sand of three
different rivers. In this way we obtained four tubes full of gold dust,
each about the thickness of the middle finger. Sandoval was highly
delighted when we brought him these, and concluded that the country must
contain rich gold mines. He then divided the townships of the province
among those of his men whom h