ualco to Tonala, a distance of about thirty-two
miles; he passed a river by means of canoes, and then came to the
township Ayagualulco. From this place he continued his march
twenty-eight miles further on, up to an arm of the sea, over which
Cortes threw a bridge, which was in every respect a work of wonder, and
was half a mile in length. During the whole of our march through this
country, two of our officers of Guacasualco had to go a considerable way
in advance of the army. One of these captains was Francisco de Medina, a
man of a peaceable disposition, and who knew best how to manage the
inhabitants of the country.

After we had crossed this estuary, we passed through several small
townships, until we arrived on the banks of the immense river Mazapa,
which flows from Chiapa, and is termed by the sailors _Rio de dos
bocas_. A large number of canoes lay ready for us here, fastened two and
two together, in which we ferried safely across this broad river. We
then passed through numerous small townships, and had to throw a bridge
across another estuary, and also a river, before we reached the
extensive township of Copilco, and here you enter the populous province
of Chontalpa. This country enjoyed the profoundest peace at that time,
and was everywhere covered with cacao plantations. From Copilco we
passed over Nacanuxuica to Zaqutan, after passing over another river, by
means of canoes. On our arrival in this township, the inhabitants
appeared very friendly disposed, but during the night they had all left,
and fled to the opposite shore of a broad river, between the swamps.
Cortes then ordered that we should march across the mountains, in search
of the inhabitants. This was indeed a most inconsiderate command, nor
was there any advantage to be gained thereby.

It was only with the greatest difficulty, after undergoing excessive
fatigues, that we succeeded in passing over this broad river, and all we
gained by it was the capture of seven Indian chiefs, with a few of the
common people; but even these soon ran away from us, so that at last we
had not even a single person left to guide us on our march.

While we were staying here, the chief caziques of Tabasco came to us
with fifty canoes, laden with maise and other provisions. Some of the
inhabitants of the Teapan townships, then comprehended in my commendary,
also arrived, with several canoes full of provisions.

Our further march now lay through Tepetitan and Iztapa. In