COMING OF THE SPANIARDS. 



175 



by the Indians of San Andres Xecul, it is related that 

 when Montezuma was made prisoner, he sent a private 

 ambassador to Kicah Tanub, to inform him that some 

 white men had arrived in his state, and made war upon 

 him with such impetuosity that the whole strength of his 

 people was unable to resist them ; that he was himself 

 a prisoner, surrounded by guards ; and hearing it was 

 the intention of his invaders to pass on to the kingdom 

 of Quiche, he sent notice of the design, in order that 

 Kicah Tanub might be prepared to oppose them. On 

 receiving this intelligence, the King of Quiche sent for 

 four young diviners, whom he ordered to tell him what 

 would be the result of this invasion. They requested 

 time to give their answers ; and, taking their bows, dis- 

 charged some arrows against a rock ; but, seeing that 

 no impression was made upon it, returned very sorrow- 

 fully, and told the king there was no way of avoiding 

 the disaster ; the white men would certainly conquer 

 them. Kicah, dissatisfied, sent for the priests, desiring 

 to have their opinions on this important subject ; and 

 they, from the ominous circumstance of a certain stone, 

 brought by their forefathers from Egypt, having sud- 

 denly split into two, predicted the inevitable ruin of the 

 kingdom. At this time he received intelligence of the 

 arrival of the Spaniards on the borders of Soconusco 

 to invade his territory ; but, undismayed by the auguries 

 of diviners or priests, he prepared for war. Messages 

 were sent by him to the conquered kings and chiefs 

 under his command, urging them to co-operate for the 

 common defence ; but, glad of an opportunity to rebel, 

 Sinacam, the king of Guatimala, declared openly that he 

 was a friend to the Teules or Gods, as the Spaniards 

 were called by the Indians ; and the King of the Zutu- 

 giles answered haughtily that he was able to defend 



