( 6 ) 



mediately after which, ten priefls ruflied out of an adjoining temple. — 

 They were drelled in loofe robes of white cotton, their long hair was clot- 

 ted with blood, and matted and twifled together fo as to be apparently 

 impoflible to be feparated ; they had in their hands vefiels containing fire 

 and aromatics, with which they fumigated us, making figns at the fame 

 time, that unlefs we quitted their Country before the fuel lying by us was 

 confumed, they would put us to death. They then kindled the faggots, 

 and retired without doing any thing more. The warriors however 

 began to make a noife by whiftling, founding their horns, and drums. 

 Thefe formidable preparations made us think it mofl: prudent to retire, 

 which we accordingly did, and regaining our boats on board of which 

 the water caflcs had been already put, we embarked, and reaching our 

 veflcls, proceeded on our voyage. We coafted for fix days, during 

 which time we encountered a violent gale of wind from the North, and 

 were in imminent danger of being driven on fhore. We alfo fuiBFered 

 from want of water, owing to the badnefs of the veffels, and were con- 

 ftantly obliged to go on fiiore and fink wells, in order to procure a daily 

 fupply. Continuing our route, we arrived oppofite a town about a 

 league from the coaft, which we determined to proceed to, and for that 

 purpofe call anchor. 



This town the name of which was Pontonchan, contained feveral 

 buildings of lime and fione, and was furrounded by fields of maize. — 

 Having landed and found a fpring of water, while v/e v/ere engaged in 

 filling ourcaflvs, large bodies of warriors approached us in filencc; they 

 were armed with their ufual mifiile weapons, fhields, and two handed 

 fwords. Their bodies were covered by a defenfive arincur of cotton 

 reaching to the knees, their faces painted black, white, and red, and 

 plumes of feathers ornamented their heads. They accofted us in the 

 fame manner that the natives of Campeche had done, pointing to the 

 Eaft and faying " Caftillan, Caftillan,'* we replied to them by figns 

 that we came from the Eaft, but were much perplexed to knov/ the 

 meaning of this exprefiFion, or whether to conftrue it favorably or other- 

 w ife; and as we meant to remain on fhore, for the night, we formed 



ourfelves 



