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by the people of Cinacatan, a polifhed and mercantile nation, and ar- 

 riving at Chamula, we found this place ftrongly fortified by nature, 

 and the inhabitants well armed, having a large kind of fliield with 

 which they could cover the whole body, and which when not wanted 

 was rolled up. When we approached we were attacked with fliowers 

 of arrows, upon which our captain ordered the cavalry to go into the 

 plain, there to watcii the infurgents of the neighbouring diftrids of 

 Quiabuitlan. Our mufqueteers then fired upon the enemy, but with ve- 

 ry little eftedt, whereas their miffile weapons injured us who were unco- 

 vered, materially. We were during this whole day fighting thus, to 

 very little purpofe, and when we attempted to force the ramparts, we 

 found them guarded by above two thoufand men armed with lances. 

 Finding our endeavours inefFe<51:ual, it was determined to procure tim- 

 ber from another town which was depopulated, and to conftrud: of it 

 the m.achines named burros or mantas, under cover of which twenty 

 men or m.ore could approach, and remain under the walls, fo as to 

 work an entrance. We therefore drew off for that time, and having 

 procured the timber and conilruded thefe machines, we again proceeded 

 to the attack. Under cover of them our men endeavoured to undermine 

 the wall, the enemy throwing down upon us fcalding water mixed with 

 blood, fire, and heavy ftones, infomuch that we were quite in defpair, 

 and forced to retreat to repair the machines, which having done, we 

 again brought them to the walls, and working under them we made 

 different breaches. As foon as the enemy perceived this, they fent up 

 to the top of their ramparts four of their principal pcrfons, priefls, and 

 others, who addrefTed us covered with their thick fhields, and told us, 

 that fince we wanted gold we might have it; and therewith threw over 

 feven crowns of fine gold, together with a quantity of gold trinkets, 

 and other things made of that metal, caft in the forms of fhells and 

 birds ; and they alfo at the fame time fent among us frefli fhowers of 

 arrows, darts, and flones. We had fucceeded in making two confide- 

 rable breaches in the walls, but it was now dark, and a heavy rain be- 

 gan to fall ; we were therefore obliged to defifl for that night, keeping 

 good watch all round our pofl, and the cavalry remaining on the plain 



ground J 



