( 47' ) 



formed a plot for the affaffination of him and feveral more, which he 

 put in execution one night as the captain and the others were fleeping. 

 The fanguinary views of the confpirators went much farther, but the 

 interceffion of two Francifcan friars faved the Kves of many who were 

 already bleeding from their treachery, but whom, together with the 

 friars, they determined to land in Xalifco. Ximines taking the com- 

 mand upon the death of Bezerra, and continuing his route, difcovered 

 an ifland to which he gave the name of Santa Cruz. It was faid that 

 pearls were found on its coafts. It was inhabited by favages, and here 

 he determined to put the friars and thofe whofe lives had been fpared at 

 their intercefTion on fhore, which he accordingly did, and being in want 

 of water, he went to the fhore at the fame time in fearch of it ; they 

 had been on the ifland but a very fhort time when the natives came 

 down upon them, and put every perfon they found to death, in view, 

 of thofe on board the fhip. 



This gave the Marquis great vexation. He now determined not - 

 to truft any one, but to go in perfon, having three Oiips ready to launch 

 in the port of Guantepeque. When the Spaniards of thofe countries 

 faw that he intended to embark upon a voyage of difcovery, they 

 thought fuccefs was certain, and numbers prepared to follow him as 

 foldiers, above one hundred and thirty of whom were married men, 

 and brought their wives with them. They were in all above three 

 hundred and twenty, the women included. The Marquis left Mexico 

 accompanied by Andres de Tapia and feveral other officers, fome eccle- 

 liaftics, phyficians, furgeons, and an apothecary, and having embarked,, 

 in the month of May, one thoufand five hundred and thirty fix, or feven, 

 he fet fail for the Ifland of Santa Cruz, with as many colonifl:s and 

 foldiers as the veffels could contain ; and having arrived there after a 

 profperous voyage, he fent back the fhips to bring the remainder of his 

 people. The fecond voyage was not fo fortunate. They met with 

 gales of wind, in which they Were feparated near the river of St. Peter 

 and St. Paul, one veflTel only arriving at the Ifland. of Santa. Cruz, 



where 



