112 SMITHSONIAN MISCELLANEOUS COLLECTIONS VOL. I02 



Chapter XXXVII 



Continuing the Description of the Provinces, etc., Discussed in the 

 Preceding Chapter. 



316. From Xuala they traveled 4 leagues over pleasant meadows 

 and flat country with occasional villages and crossed a gentle range 

 of hills with many groves of fruit trees and cool glades, arriving in 

 the Province of Chief Guaxale ; then 5 more to the territory of 

 Ichiaha, in whose rivers there were extensive beds of fine large pearls ; 

 great quantities were buried with the bodies of chief personages. 

 The chief sent men out to fish for them, and in a short time they 

 brought in their canoes loaded with large oysters and took many out 

 of them ; the Spaniards were astonished at this, and one soldier found 

 a pearl in one, as large as a hazelnut, and of great value. Bordering 

 on this is the Province of Acoste, and on the bank of that mighty 

 river, the Province of Lord Coza, very extensive and well settled, 

 with gentle and attractive fields abounding in food crops. The prin- 

 cipal village, of 500 houses, was above the banks of the river. Here 

 the chief cordially requested the Governor to establish a settlement, 

 since it was such an important matter for all of them. From this 

 province it is 20 leagues through country all covered with field cabins 

 and farms to the village of Talise, fortified with deep trenches, since 

 it was the frontier post opposite the province of the arrogant Lord 

 of Tascaluza, with whom Coza was at war. 



317. Next comes the Province of Chief Tascaluza, who was of 

 giant stature but slender ; he had a son still young, almost as tall as 

 he ; the tallest Spaniard hardly came up to his shoulder. His chief 

 city was Mavila, on the other side of the river, where there was 

 abundance of food because of the fertility of the land. Tascaluza 

 tried to kill the Spaniards and under cover of peace set a great ambush 

 for the Spaniards, who were proceeding on their guard as was suitable 

 among such people ; the savages fell upon them and they joined cruel 

 battle, which lasted almost all day, both sides fighting valiantly; 83 

 Spaniards were killed and 45 horses, to the great sorrow of the 

 Spaniards, and many were badly wounded ; but they came off vic- 

 torious, having killed 11,000 of the savages, many of them burned to 

 death, the Spaniards having set fire to the village, where they lost 

 their baggage and everything they had. 



318. Disconsolate (though victorious) at the loss of their com- 

 rades, they traveled from JMavila 3 days over pleasant country and 

 prairies to the Province of Chioza, where the chief came out with 

 8,000 warriors to bar their passage. Chioza was well located between 



