( 353 ) 



Meaning to give feme repofe to his troops, Alvarado was difap- 

 pointed to find that the Indians were now affembled in greater force, 

 and determined to attack him in his poft. On their approach, to the 

 number of about fixteen thoufand, for their army was compofed of two 

 Xiquipils, Ah'arado drew out his troops in a plain, and advancing up- 

 on the enemy, completely defeated them, with fuch lofs, that for a 

 long time after, they remained completely under awe of the Spa- 

 niards. 



. The chiefs now propofed to treat for a peace, and fent ambafTadors 

 to Alvarado who received them kindly, but they had at the fame time 

 arranged a plan for the deftrudion of the Spanifh force, and it was this. 

 Not far diftant was a place called Utatlan, in a difficult country, and 

 furrounded with defiles, whither they perfuaded him to march, 

 and it was determined, that when the Spaniards were arrived, 

 they fhould be fallen on by furprife with the forces of both the diflrids. 

 Alvarado marched for Utatlan, but on his arrival remarked the bad iitu- 

 ation of the place. This town was of confiderable flrength, having 

 only two gates, to one of which was an afcent of about five and twenty 

 iteps, and the other opened to a very bad and broken caufeway. The 

 flreets were very narrow, and the houfes joined ; and in cafe of being 

 attacked, the ground about the town was unfit for cavalry. The Spa- 

 niards obferved alfo that the women and common people had difappeared; 

 and fome Indians of the place which they had left told them, that warri- 

 ors were pofled in ambufcade round the town, which it was intended 

 that night to fet fire to, and that was to be a flgnal for a general 

 attack. 



Alvarado therefore ordered his troops under arms, and marched 

 out into the open country, telling the caciques that it was to give his 

 horfes grafs. They did not feem pleafed with this change, and as foon 

 zsr Alvarado had his troops clear of the town he feized the cacique who 

 governed it, and reproaching him for his treafon, ordered that he fhould 

 be burnt alive, but Olmedo obtained a rcfpite and permifTion to ufe his 



Z z endeavours 



