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maincd with him ever fince ; and of the whole number there were 

 now in exiftence, only himfelf, and Guerrero. As to his knowledge 

 of the country it was very confined, for he was only employed in pro- 

 curing wood and water, and digging in the maize fields, and had 

 never been farther from the coaft than about four leagues ; but he under- 

 ftood that it was very populous. He defcribed Guerrero as exad:ly re- 

 fembling an Indian, adding that he was conlidered by the natives as a 

 very brave man, infomuch that when above a year before, three fhips 

 came upon the coafl: at the point of Cotoche, (this was the expedition of 

 H. de Cordova,) he planned the attack upon thofe who landed, and led 

 the Indians in perfon. Upon hearing this, Cortes regretted much his 

 not being able to get him into his hands. 



Aguilar was well treated by the natives of Cozumel, who fupplied 

 him plentifully with provifions ; he in return earneflly exhorted them to 

 continue faithful to our holy religion, the good effe(5ls of which they 

 fliould foon perceive j and he alfo advifed them, to apply to Cortes for a 

 letter of protection, which would be of fervice to them in cafe of the ar- 

 rival of other Spaniards on their coaft. This was immediately granted 

 them ; and fuch is the true narrative in regard to Aguilar. 



On the fourth of March the fleet again put to fea, and Avas during 

 the night feparated by a gale of wind, but on the next day all the fhips 

 joined company except that of Velafquez de Leon, which not appearing 

 on theenfuing day, Cortes made fail for a certain bay on the coafl, 

 where, according to the furmife of the pilot, they found the fhip, which 

 had put in during the ftorm, and was detained there wind bound. Here 

 feveral of our companions went on fliore, and found in the town hard 

 by, four temples, the idols in which reprefented human female figures 

 of large fize, for which reafon we named this place, Punta de las 

 Mugeres, 



Aguilar faid that he had onc-e been fent fo far with a load, , and that 

 the town where he refided was about four leagues diflant j. he alfo told 



us 



