r the breeding of cattle, and the harbour excellently situated
for trading with Cuba, St. Domingo, and Jamaica, but too far distant
from Mexico; and, what was worse, full of shallows; which was the reason
we seldom made use of this harbour for commerce, or transporting goods
from Mexico.

With respect to Pizarro, he returned, with only one of the Spaniards who
accompanied him to Tustepec, but he had been more fortunate in the
discovery of gold, of which he brought with him dust of that metal to
the value of 1000 pesos. He related that he had himself commenced
washing for gold dust in the provinces of Tustepec and Malinaltepec, and
neighbouring districts; for which purpose he had employed a considerable
number of Indians, whom he remunerated for their labour with two thirds
of the gold they found. He had likewise visited other provinces higher
up in the mountains, called the country of the Chinantecs. Here he was
met by a number of Indians, armed with bows, arrows, shields, and
lances, of much greater length than ours. They declared that no Mexican
should set foot in their territory, under pain of death, but that the
teules were very welcome. The Mexicans consequently remained behind, and
Pizarro pursued his journey with the Spaniards only. The Chinantec
caziques then ordered a number of the inhabitants to repair to the
river, to wash the gold dust from the sand. The gold dust here found is
of a curly shape, and the inhabitants said that the mines, where the
metal was found in that shape, were much more productive and the metal
more solid. Pizarro was likewise accompanied by two caziques of that
country, who, in the name of the inhabitants, came to make friendship
with us, and declare themselves vassals of our emperor. They also
brought a present in gold, and complained bitterly of the Mexicans, who
were held in such utter abhorrence by them, on account of their lust
after plunder, that they could not endure the sight of a Mexican, or
bear to hear their name pronounced.

Cortes received Pizarro and the caziques with every possible kindness,
and returned the latter many thanks for their present, assuring them of
our friendship, and readiness to serve them at all times, and then
dismissed them. That, however, they might travel in safety through the
Mexican territories, he desired two distinguished Mexicans to accompany
them to the confines, for which they were very thankful. Cortes then
inquired of Pizarro what had become