in the sequel. The return of the Spaniards to the great river was
soon known in all the neighbouring districts. Upon which the cacique of
Anilco, to prevent them from favouring the Guachacoyans as formerly,
sent an embassy to Alvarado, offering his friendship and making mighty
promises. The ambassador sent upon this occasion by Anilco was his _Apu_
or lieutenant-general, who brought great abundance of fruit and other
things to the Spaniards, and 200 Indian, servants to attend upon them
and supply their wants. Having delivered his message, the Apu sent back
the answer to the cacique, and remained with the Spaniards. The cacique
of Guachacoya came likewise to wait upon the Spanish general, with a
great present, to confirm the former friendship, and though he saw the
lieutenant of his enemy among the Spaniards, he took no notice of the
circumstance. On consultation about the brigantines, it was found that
it would require seven of them to accommodate all the people; and the
timber being all hewed and ready, the work was begun in earnest, and
occupied their utmost diligence all the months of February, March and
April 1543, during all which time they were amply supplied with all
necessaries by Anilco, who even furnished them with blankets and mantles
to defend themselves from the cold. These articles of clothing were
manufactured by the Indians from an herb resembling mallows, which has
fibres like those of flax; and the dresses which are made of this
substance are afterwards dyed according to their fancies. On the present
occasion, the Spaniards reserved the new blankets and mantles furnished
by Anilco for sails to their brigantines, and broke up those which were
old and useless to serve as oakum for caulking their vessels. Of the
same materials the Spaniards made all kinds of cordage for their
brigantines, from the smallest ropes up to cables; and in every thing
the cacique Anilco, to whom they had formerly done so much injury,
assisted the Spaniards to the utmost of his power, while Guachacoya was
exceedingly dissatisfied at seeing the intimacy between them.

On the other side of the river there lay a large and fertile province
called _Quiqualtanqui_, the cacique of which was a haughty warlike
youth, who believed that although the Spaniards were now building
vessels to convey them out of the country, they might yet return in
greater numbers to enslave the natives. For this reason he determined to
destroy them, and assembl