( 355 ) 



Between threats and promifcs Alvarado at length luccecdcd, after which 

 he returned to Guatimala. Fra Bartholome e^xertcd Wmfelf with efFeft 

 in his holy office, for, ereding an altar and an image of our Lady, he 

 explained the myfteries of our faith to the natives, who imitated our ex- 

 ample in adoring the Holy Virgin. 



A people who came from a diflance towards the fouth, to make 

 fubmiffion, and who were named the Pipiles, told our chief, that in 

 their way was a nation called the Izcuintepeques, of a very malignant 

 and obftinate difpolition, who maltreated all fucb as went through their 

 country. To them he fent an invitation to come in and make fubmif- 

 fion, which they negleding, he marched againft them with his whole 

 force and a body of his allies of Guatimala, and coming on them by 

 furprife he made great deftrudion among them. This vwas an unfortu- 

 nate event, produdive of mifchief, and di'redly contrary to his Ma* 

 jefty's orders. I have now given the reader a fummary account of the 

 conqueft and pacification of Guatimala and its dependencies, but it may 

 be found at full length as written by Gonzalo de Alvarado. I was not 

 prefent at it, nor did I go into that province until my return from Hi- 

 gueras. The Indians of this province are not good foldiers j only wait- 

 ing the attack in broken ground. 



Cortes had been informed that the provinces of Higueras and Hon- 

 duras contained rich mines, and certain failors alfo told him, they had 

 met with the natives fifhing, and that they ufed nets which had weights 

 of gold mixed with copper; as alfo, that a ftraight, or paflage, was 

 probably fomewhere about that coafl. In compliance with his Majefty's 

 orders, he therefore determined to fend a body of troops thither under 

 Chrifioval de Oli to fearch for this paflage to the Spice Iflands, and to 

 make enquiry concerning the mines. As the way thither by land was 

 very tedious and difficult, it was determined he (hould go by fea, and 

 accordingly fix fhips were provided, and three hundred and feventy fol- 

 diers embarked, of whom one hundred were mufqueteers and crofsboW-- 

 men, and twenty two, cavalry. Five alfo of the old conquerors of 

 . ) Z z 2 Mexico, 



