who had but
just arrived and knew nothing of them, should that instant wish to
impose a master on them. We had better consider a bit before we
commenced war with them, as we had with those at Potonchan. That already
all the warriors of the country had been ordered out against us, and two
armies, each composed of 8000 men were ready for action. They certainly
had learnt that a few days ago we had killed and wounded 200 men; but
they were more powerful than the inhabitants of that country, which was
the reason why they first wished to know what our intentions were. Our
declaration would be communicated to the caziques of the numerous
districts, who had united themselves for war or for peace."

Upon this they embraced our commander, in token of peace, who presented
them with necklaces of glass beads, and desired them to return as
quickly as possible with an answer; adding that if they did not return
we would enter their town by main force, though we had no evil
intentions whatever.

These delegates communicated with the caziques and papas--the latter
having also a voice in their councils,--and they declared that our offer
of peace was acceptable to them. Provisions were ordered to be sent us,
and all present agreed that they themselves with the neighbouring tribes
should each contribute their quota in order to make us a present in gold
to insure our good friendship, and obviate a recurrence of what had
taken place at Potonchan. From what I subsequently learnt and witnessed
I found that it was customary with the inhabitants of these countries to
make each other presents whenever they were in treaty about peace.

All I have been relating took place on the promontory where the palm
trees stood. About thirty Indians soon arrived, laden with broiled fish,
fowls, fruit, and maise-bread. They also brought pans filled with
red-hot embers, on which they strewed incense, and perfumed us all.
After this ceremony was ended they spread some mats on the ground, over
which they laid a piece of cotton cloth; on this they put some trifling
ornaments in gold in the shape of ducks and lizards, with three
necklaces made of gold, which had been melted into the shape of round
balls. All these things, however, were of an inferior kind of gold, not
worth 200 pesos. They next presented us with some mantles and
waistcoats, as they themselves wore, and begged of us to accept them in
good kind; saying they had no more gold to give us, but that furt