most distress, and we halted five days
in Taica to rest from our fatigues.

The bridges which we threw across the numerous rivers we passed on our
march had been so strongly put together that several of them were still
to be seen for many years after; and subsequently, when all these
provinces were subjected to the Spanish crown, our countrymen regarded
them in astonishment, and exclaimed, _These are the bridges of Cortes!_
in the same way as people say, _These are the columns of Hercules!_

After marching forward for two more days, we arrived at a township
called Tania, which was also deserted by its inhabitants, though we
found some maise and other provisions, but not in sufficient quantity
for our troops. On thoroughly exploring the country round about, we
discovered that we were now completely surrounded by rivers and small
streams; the guides we had brought with us ran away in the night from
the soldiers who had charge of them. These men had but recently arrived
from New Spain, and it appears had been overtaken by sleep; our general,
on receiving the first information of their neglect of duty, was going
to have them severely punished; however, he was at length induced to
pardon them, and he sent out another party to explore our route; but as
this neighbourhood abounded with rivers, and it continued to rain very
fast, almost the whole of the country was inundated; besides which, we
could have no hopes of meeting with any of the inhabitants. Thus
situated, in the midst of the waters, we scarcely knew which way to
turn, and our distress and alarm were each moment increasing. Cortes
himself appeared considerably disheartened, and said, with a good deal
of ill humour, to Ircio, and other officers who came with him from
Mexico: "I should like to know which of you will volunteer to go out in
search of some Indian guide, or to discover a way out of these waters;
for it is shameful to leave everything to the veterans, who have
accompanied us from Guacasualco!"

After this reproach, Ircio, with some of his friends and acquaintances,
offered himself, and he actually marched out for this purpose.
Marmolejo, a person of distinction, likewise went out with six men; so
also Santacruz Burgales, with a like number. Each of these three small
detachments went off in a different direction, and they wandered about
for three days, but returned with the disheartening news, that wherever
they came there was nothing but water to be seen.