( 444 ) 



When our captain Marin and the reft of us found that we were 

 difappointed, in the receipt of our expected intelligence, we determin- 

 ed to fend a party to Truxillo to learn the truth. Accordingly ten of 

 the cavalry, of which I was one, fet out, and on our arrival at a place 

 named Olancho, we learned from fome, Spaniards that Cortes had failed. 

 This intelligence was foon after confirmed to us in a communication we 

 had with Saavedra ; we therefore returned to our Captain Marin with 

 the good news, and foon after we all fet out with joyful hearts 

 for Mexico. I recoiled we threw ftones at the country we left be- 

 hind us. 



On our way, at a place called Maniani, we met five foldiers who 

 had been fent by Alvarado in fearch of us. They .were commanded by 

 one of our veterans named Diego de Villanueva, a brave foldier. As 

 foon as we had recognized each other and faluted, we enquired for 

 his Captain Alvarado, who, he informed us was not far diftant, and 

 whom accordingly, after two days march farther, we fell in with. 

 Our meeting took place at the, town of Cholulteca Malalaca, and a third 

 party joined us there, compofed of captains under Pedro Arias de 

 Avila, who met Alvarado's party to adjuft fome difference about 

 bounds. We remained here together for three days. Alvarado at this 

 time fent one Gafpar Arias de Avila, a confidential friend of his to 

 treat with Captain Pedro Arias, about fome particular bufinefs, I be- 

 lieve relative to a marriagej for Captain P. A. de Avila feemed much 

 devoted to Alvarado. 



Continuing our march, we crofled a hoftile country where the 

 natives killed one of our foldiers, and wounded three others. The 

 want of time prevented our punifliing them as they deferved. Further 

 on, in Guatimala, they had alfo manned the palTes againft us, and we 

 were detained three days in forcing our way; here 1 received a wound 

 of an arrow, but it was of little confequence. We then arrived at the 

 valley where the city of Guatimala is now built, the people of which 



were 



