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conquer the' Zapotecans who were in rebellion, and to take with him 

 Pedro de Ircio as his private counfellor and director. Cortes knew very 

 well this man was not fit for any fervice, being a poor difeafed mifera- 

 ble obje(5t, from the effedis of his fins; he therefore put him off, telling- 

 him that nation was not eafily to be conquered on account of the high 

 rugged mountains which they inhabit, and which are always covered 

 with mifts and clouds ; as alfo that cavalry could not be brought againft 

 them, on account of the bad and narrow roads which it was neceffary 

 to climb like ladders, each foldier's head at the heels of his file leader. 

 However at laft Cortes agreed to the propofal of this man who was a 

 fellow of a very flanderous tongue, and one whom he would have been 

 glad to have got rid of in this way where he was likely to lofe his life. 

 The general in confequence wrote to ten or twelve of us who were in 

 Guacacualco, defiring: that we fhould <io with him. and I was one of 



' O ID * 



the number thus feledted. Thefe Indians are a light and very adtive 

 people, and when in the field have a way of whiftling and fliouting, 

 which makes the hills and woods refound again. Having this man 

 with us it was impofilble to effed: any thing, and as we advanced under 

 a very heavy rain, we came to a village of fcattered houfes, fome being 

 upon a ridge, and others in the valley. Poor Rangel whined and com- 

 plained all the way of the pain of his limbs , to our great annoyance, 

 knowing it was entirely ufelefs trouble imd danger, and that the Indians 

 who were fo nimble would deftroy us climbing the rocks in one file, 

 if they made a ftand any where. It was at laft agreed, as Rangel grew 

 worfe and worfe, to abandon the black expedition as we ufed to call it, 

 and return to our homes. His counfellor alfo as he called him, Pedro 

 de Ircio, was the firft to advife him to it, and fetting the example by 

 following his own advice, went home to his town of Villa Rica. Ran- 

 gel however preferred accompanying us to Guacacualco, which was 

 more grief to us than going with him in his expedition. He had hopes- 

 that the hot climate of that country, as he faid, would relieve him of 

 his pains. 



No fooner had we arrived at this place then he took in his head ta 



