( so ) 



plied with in the time prefcribed. They alfo on being called on to re- 

 nounce their idolatrous worlhip, declared a ready aflent upon that point. 

 Cortes explained to them the myfteries of our true faith, and thofe parts 

 of it which are reprefented in the crucifix, and the image of our Holy 

 Virgin. To this the caciques replied that they admired the *• Tecle- 

 *' ciguata," which in their language fignifies a great princefs. 



When thefe people were queftioned as to their hoftilities againft 

 us they excufed themfelves by faying, that they had been inftigated 

 thereto by the cacique of Champoton, and alfo by our Indian inter- 

 preter who deferted from us. This man Cortes was very anxious to 

 lay hands on, but to his enquiries concerning him the anfwer was, that 

 he had fled; it came to our knowledge however afterwards, that he had 

 been facrificed. Being queftioned as to the place where they obtained 

 their gold they replied, that it was on the weft, and they frequently 

 repeated, '* Culchua," and *• Mexico," words, the fignification of 

 which was at this time unknown to us. We had here an interpreter 

 named Francifco, who had alfo been with Grijalva j he did not under- 

 ftand the language of Tabafco in the leaft, but knew perfectly what 

 they meant by the word Culchua, which country, he endeavoured to 

 explain to Cortes, lay far within the land. 



On the enfuing day, an altar being built and the crucifix eredted, 

 the towil of Tabafco changed its name for that of Santa Maria de la 

 Vitoria. The twenty Indian women who had been brought to us, 

 were upon this occafion baptized, the Rev. Father Bartholome de Ol- 

 medo preaching to them many good things touching our holy faith. 

 Donna Marina, the principal of them, was a woman of high rank, 

 which indeed fhe fhewed in her appearance ; and thefe were the firfl 

 chriftian women in New Spain ; Cortes gave one to each of his captains, 

 and we remained here five days longer, taking care of our fick and 

 wounded. This time Cortes employed in conciliating the natives, re- 

 commending to them to preferve their allegiance to his Majefty our 

 "Emperor, whereby they fhould enfure our protection to them : this they 



promifed 



