( 398 ). 



loaded with provifions, alfo fome from a place named Teapan in my 

 encomienda. 



We proceeded on our march to Tepetitan and Iztapa, croffing a 

 great river named Chilapa, at which we were detained four days mak- 

 ing barks. I propofed to Cortes, to fend five of our Indian guides to a 

 town of the fame name, which I underftood to be on the banks of this 

 river, to defire the people to affift us with their canoes. Cortes affented, 

 and it was done; we procured fix large canoes, and alfo provifions. We 

 were four days in palTmg. 



From this we went on to Tepetitan which was depopulated and 

 burnt, in confequence of a civil war. For three days of our march 

 from the river of Chilapa, our horfes w^re almoft conflantly up to the 

 girths in the marfhy grounds which we had to pafs. We then reached 

 a place named Iztapa, the inhabitants of which had fled. We fent in 

 fearch of them, and feveral chiefs and others were brought in, who be- 

 ing treated kindly, made the general a prefent of fome trifling articles in 

 gold. We halted here for three days on account of the plenty of corn 

 and grafs ; Cortes alfo approved of it for the fcite of a colony, it being 

 furrounded by many towns which might be attached to.it as dependen- 

 cies. From the travelling merchants here, Cortes obtained information 

 as to his future route, producing to them a map painted on clotb, 

 whereon was reprefented the way which he was to take to reach Huy- 

 acala, which means great Acala; it being fo called to diflinguifh it from 

 another place of that name. They told him that the way he was to 

 take was much interfed:ed by rivers, and that in order to reach a place 

 named Tamaztepeque, three days journey diflant, three rivers and an 

 arm of the fea were to be crofTed. The general in confequence gave or- 

 ders to the chiefs to conftrud bridges at the proper places, and alfo to 

 bring canoes; neither of which was obeyed. 



The three days which the natives afTurt^d us the journey would 

 take up, turned out to be no lefs than feven; but they fucceeded in 



getting 



