DISCOVERY OF NEW MEXICO a.d. 



1581-83. 



had told the Indians that they would kill them) there- 

 fore it was necessary to make a Fort of lime and stone 

 to inclose them, for the avoyding of such inconveniences 

 as otherwise might happen unto the Indians by them. 

 This tale was so stedfastly beleeved by the Caciques, 

 that in five houres they assembled such store of people 

 together, that with incredible celeritie they built the 

 said Fort which our men required. 



Moreover, when the Captaine saide that he would 

 depart, they brought unto him a present of 40000. 

 mantles of cotton, both white and of other colours, 

 and great store of hand-towels, with tassels at the 

 corners, with divers other things, and among the rest 

 rich mettals, which seemed to holde much silver. Rich metals. 

 Among these Indians they learned very much con- 

 cerning The great Lake aforesaide, whose report agreed 

 wholly with the relation of the former, as touching the 

 riches and great abundance of gold about that lake. Great abm- 



The Captaine reposing great confidence in this people ^^^''^^ ^J Z^^'^- 

 & in their good disposition toward him determined 

 after certaine dayes, to leave there five of his com- 

 panions with the rest of his Indian friends, that they 

 might returne with his cariages to the province of Zuni, 

 while himselfe with the foure other which remained 

 should ride in post to discover certaine very rich Mines, 

 whereof he had perfect information. And putting this 

 his purpose in execution he departed with his guides, 

 and having traveiled due-west 45. leagues he came unto 

 the said Mines, and tooke out of the same with his Exceedlngnch 

 owne hands exceeding rich metals holding great quantitie ^^^^/ ^^ 

 of silver : and the mines which were of a very broad 

 veine were in a mountaine whereon they might easily 

 ascend, by reason of an open way that led up to the 

 same. Neere unto these mines were certaine townes 

 of Indians dwelling upon the mountaines, who shewed 

 them friendship & came forth to receive them with 

 crosses on their heads, and other tokens of peace. Here- 

 about they found two rivers of a reasonable bignesse, 



201 



