winship] SPANISH ATROCITIES AT TIGUEX 393 



lected their fighting force into two of the strongest villages, from one of 

 which they were able to defy the soldiers until thirst compelled them 

 to abandon the stronghold. The defenders attempted to escape by 

 stealth, but the sentries of the besieging force discovered them and 

 aroused the camp. Many of the Indians were killed by the soldiers dur- 

 ing the flight which followed, while others perished in the icy waters of 

 the Eio Grande. During an attack on the second village, a few of the 

 Spaniards who had succeeded in making their way to the highest por- 

 tion of the buildings, escaped from their perilous position by inducing 

 the native warriors to surrender. The Indians received an ample 

 promise of protection and safety, but the captain of the attacking 

 party was not informed of this, and in obedience to the general's 

 orders that no prisoners should be taken, he directed that the captives 

 should be burned as a warning to the neighboring tribes. This affair 

 is a terrible blot on the record of the expedition and of those who com- 

 posed it. In condemning it most severely, however, English readers 

 should remember that they are only repeating the condemnations which 

 were uttered by most of the men of rank who witnessed it, which were 

 repeated in New Spain and in old Spain, and which greeted the com- 

 mander when he led his expedition back to Mexico, to receive the cold 

 welcome of the viceroy. 



The Spaniards have told us only one side of the story of what was 

 happening along the Rio Grande in the fall of 1540. The other side 

 will probably never be heard, for it disappeared with the traditions of 

 the Indian villagers. Without pretending to supply the loss, it is at 

 least possible to suggest that the preparations by which the army- 

 master procured the excellent accommodations for the force must have 

 appeared very differently to the people in whose homes Cardenas 

 housed the soldiers, and to those who passed the winter in these snug 

 quarters. Castaiieda preserved one or two interesting details which 

 are as significant as is the striking fact that the peaceful natives who 

 entertained Alvarado most freely in September were the leaders of the 

 rebellion three mouths later. 



As soon as Coronado's men had completed the reduction of the 

 refractory natives, and the whole country had been overawed by the 

 terrible punishment, the general undertook to reestablish peaceful rela- 

 tions and confident intercourse between his camp and the surrounding 

 villages. The Indians seem to have been ready to meet him almost 

 half-way, although it is hardly surprising to find traces of an under- 

 lying suspicion, and a readiness for treacherous retaliation. 



THE STORIES ABOUT QUIVIRA 



While this reconciliation was being effected, Ooronado heard from 

 one of the plains Indians, 1 held as a slave in the village of Oicuye 



1 Castaiieda says that tins Indian accompanied Alvarado on the tirst visit to the bun'alo plains, 

 and this may be true without disturbing the statement above. 



