( 36 ) 



th^m with him i but he could not be induced to quit his hoiTie, When 

 Aguilar faw that it was impoffihle to move him, he came with the In- 

 dian meflengers to the part of the coall where the (hips had been fta- 

 tioned ; but they had already failed, for the eight days to which De 

 Ordas conlidered himfelf limited, and one more, were expired ; and 

 De Ordas defpairing of the return of his meflengers, had gone back to 

 Cozumel, fo that Aguilar was forced to return with great forrow to his 

 Indian mafter. Cortes was exceedingly difpleafed at De Qrdas, for re- 

 turning without the Spaniards, or even thofe whom he fent in queft of 

 them. 



Certain failors named the Penyates of Gibraleon, were at this time 

 accufed of ftealing bacon from one Berrio a foldier, and a general exsir- 

 mination and queftions upon oath taking place, they denied it, but upon 

 a fearch, proofs were brought home to them, and notwithftanding 

 much interceffion was made, Cortes ordered feven of them to be feverely 

 whipped. 



There was on the Illand of Cozumel a temple, and feme hideous 

 idols, to which all the Indians of the neighbouring difl:rid:s ufed to go 

 frequently in folemn proceflion. One morning the courts of this temple 

 were filled with Indians, and curiofity having alfo drawn many of us 

 thither, we found them burning odoriferous refins like our incenfe, antd 

 Ihortly after, an old m^n in a large loofe mantle afcended to the top of 

 the temple, and harangued or preached to the multitude for a confider- 

 ablc time. Cortes who was prefent at length called Melchorejo to him, 

 to queftion him in regard to the evil dodtrines which the old man was 

 delivering; he then fummoned all the caciques and .chief perfons to 

 come to him, and as well as he could, by figns and interpretations, ex- 

 plained to them that the idols which they worfliipped were not gods, 

 but evil things, which would draw their fouls down to hell, and that if 

 they wifhed to remain in a brotherly conne(5lion with us, they muft pull 

 them down, and place in their ftead the crucifix of our Lord, by whofe 

 afTiflanqe they would obtain good harvefls, and the falvation of their 



fouls J 



