14 A NATURALIST IN MEXICO. 



houses. They next landed at a town called Champoton for 

 water, and a terrific battle took place between the Spaniards 

 and natives, in which fifty seven Spaniards were killed and 

 many wounded. On the 6th of April, 1518, another ex- 

 pedition, under command of Juan de Grijalva, set forth, and 

 discovered the Island of Cozumel. They landed at Cham- 

 poton, called by the Spaniards Bay de Mai a Pcica, or ''of 

 the bad fight," and another battle ensued, in which the 

 Spaniards were compelled to retreat to their ships. 



In the year 152Y, Don Francisco Montejo set sail from 

 Seville in four vessels, with four hundred men, for the con- 

 quest of Yucatan. They landed at the Island of Cozumel, 

 took a native for an interpreter, sailed to the mainland, and 

 landed all the Spanish soldiers. Under the guidance of the 

 native from Cozumel they marched along the coast, and, 

 without receiving any resistance from the natives, arrived at 

 Conil. From Conil the expedition marched to the province 

 of Choaca, and from there to Ak^, where they were con- 

 fronted by a multitude of natives. Here a fearful battle en- 

 sued, which lasted two days, and ended in the defeat of the 

 natives with more than 1,200 of their number killed. From 

 Ak6 the Spaniards went to Chichen Itza. Here the 

 Adelantado divided his forces, and sent Captain Davila 

 with sixty-six men to Ba Khalal. Those left at Chichen 

 Itza were soon in a very desperate condition. An immense 

 multitude of natives having assembled before them, the 

 Spaniards sallied forth, and a terrific battle followed. Great 

 slaughter was made among the natives, and one hundred 

 and fifty Spaniards were killed. 



Two years later. Captain Davila and the Adelantado, 

 after much suffering, met again at Campeachy. The suffer- 

 ings of the little band at Campeachy were terrible, and after 

 enduring the hardships until all but five were reduced to 

 sickness, they abandoned the place. 



