MODKUX PUEBLOS. 59 



Now, the ancient Mexicans had a myth which told of 

 their origin in the north where there were seven caves 

 or canyons from which they beheved they had migrated. 

 Furthermore, it was an adventurous age and men were 

 looking for new lands where there was gold ready mined, 

 and men to kill or to convert, as occasion demanded. 



Marcos de Niza. To investigate this report of seven 

 cities to the north, Marcos de Niza was sent with a 

 small escort and the negro, Estevan, as a guide. As 

 they went toward the north they continually heard of 

 the great and rich cities; but great and rich and cities 

 meant one thing to Europeans acquainted with Mexico 

 and Peru and another thing to the ignorant natives. 



When they reached Vacapa, in central Sonora, 

 Estevan was told to go in advance and discover the best 

 route. He was ordered to send back word of what he 

 might find and not to proceed more than fifty or sixty 

 leagues. Estevan sent back messengers but hurried 

 on himself and after some days of delay the friar fol- 

 lowed. A month later when he had reached the 

 mountainous country near the headwaters of the Salt 

 River one of the men who had been with the Itegro 

 met him and told him that they had reached the 

 sought seven cities but that the natives had killed 

 Estevan. Friar Marcos went on until he could see 

 buildings in the distance and was then forced to return 

 by his unwilling followers. 



Coronado. The report which he brought back was 

 sufficiently glowing to bring about an expedition the 

 next year by Francisco Vazquez Coronado who had 



