( >s ) 



We were fatisfied however by this proof that there was gold in the 

 country, alid we haftened to quit our ftation, where a gale of wind from 

 the North, fuch Ss was to be hourly expet^ted, might prove fatal to us. 



In two days fail from this place, we arrived oppollte to a town on 

 the coaft, named Aguayaluco, where we obferved the inhabitants pa- 

 rading, armed with fliields of the fhell of the turtle, which being po- 

 lifhed and fhining in the fun our foldiers infifted were of gold. This 

 place we named La Rambla. We next came to an inlet where the river 

 Farole difcharges itfelf r this we named the river of St. Anthonio. Con- 

 tinuing our route by the mouth of the great river Guacayalco, and the 

 high chain of mountains which are covered with perpetual fnow, as alfo 

 others nearer the fea and which we named the ridge of St. Martin, be- 

 caufe they were firfl: defcribed by one of our foldiers of that nanie, Al va- 

 rado difcovered and entered the river called by the natives Pap&lohuna, 

 but by us afterwards the river of Alvarado, where the natives o^ a place 

 nam^d Tlatocalpa prefented him with feme fifh. Our chief was much 

 difpleafed with the condud: of this officer, for whofe return we were 

 obliged to wait during three days, and gave orders that in future no fhip 

 fhould ever feparate from the fquadron, left an accident fhould happen 

 where it might not be poffible to afford affiftance. As foon as Alvarado 

 had rejoined us we proceeded on our voyage until we came to the river 

 Vanderas, fo called by us on account of the white banners which we 

 obferved upon the fhore, and which were borne by numbers of Indians, 

 who waved them as a fignal of invitation to us. 



It is now well known through moft of Chriftendom, that Mexico 

 is a city as large as Venice, and built in the fame manner upon 4iht 

 water, alfo that the numerous and extenfive provinces of that empire 

 were ruled by a great monarch named Montezuma, whofe thirft for 

 conqueft induced him to extend his views to the utmoft limits of pofti- 

 bility. This monarch had received information of our firft expedition 

 under Cordova, of the battle of Champoton, that we were very few in 

 aumber, and that we came to procure gold in exchange for certain 



aiticles 



