( 44i ) 



were all hoftile; I recolledl that here we had a number of fhocks of an 

 earthquake, very long in their duration, and fo violent as to throw fe- 

 veral of the foldiers to the ground. 



When we paffed old Guatimala, the natives had aflembled to give 

 us an hoftile reception, but we drove them away before us, and took 

 poffeffion of their magnificent dwellings and quadrangles, for that 

 night, and on the enfuing day we hutted ourfelves on the plain, where 

 we halted for ten days ; during which time Alvarado fent fummons to 

 the neighbouring Indians, to come in and fubmit. We delayed here 

 to receive their anfwers, which none of them thought proper to fend. 

 We then proceeded on our journey by long marches, until we reached 

 the ftation of Alvarado's main force, at Olintepeque. After halting 

 there for fome days we proceeded on towards Mexico, by Soconuzco, 

 and Teguantepeque. On this march we loft two of our Spaniards, and 

 the Mexican lord Juan Velafquez who had been a chief under Guati- 

 motzin. 



When we arrived at Guaxaca, we learned the news of the death 

 of the governor Ponce de Leon. Anxioufly prefUng forward for Mex- 

 ico, we arrived at Chalco, from whence we fent forward meffengers to 

 Cortes to inform him of our approach, and requefting that he would 

 provide us good quarters, which we much required, for it was now 

 two^years and three months fince we fet out upon our expedition. As 

 Cortes knew of our approach, he rode out with many cavaliers to meet 

 lis on the caufeway, and accompany us into the city. We went on 

 our arrival, to the great church, to return our thanks to God. From 

 thence we attended the ge;ieral to his palace, where he had a fumptu- 

 ous entertainment provided for us. Alvarado went to his refidence in 

 the fortrefs, of which he had been appointed alcalde. Luis Marin, 

 went to lodge with Sandoval, and I and another friend named Captain 

 Luis Sanchez, were taken by Andrez de Tapia to his houfe. Sandoval 



and 



