DISCOVERY OF COZUMEL. 



367 



morning we set sail to reconnoiter a cape which we 

 saw at a distance, and which the pilot told us was 

 the island of Yucatan. Between it and the point 

 of Cucuniel, where we were, we found a gulf, into 

 which we entered, and came near the shore of Cuz- 

 amil, which we coasted. Besides the tower which 

 we had seen, we discovered fourteen others of the 

 same form. Before leaving the first, the two canoes 

 of Indians returned ; the chief of the village was in 

 one of them, and came on board the vessel of the 

 admiral, and spoke to us by means of an interpreter 

 (one of the two Indians carried off from Yucatan 

 on the previous voyage of Cordova), and prayed the 

 commander to come to his village, saying that it 

 would be a great honour to him. ^ * ^ * 



We set sail, following the coast at the distance 

 of a stone's throw, for the sea is very deep upon 

 the borders. The country appeared very agree- 

 able ; we counted, on leaving this point, fourteen 

 towers of the form indicated. At sunset we saw a 

 large white tower, which appeared very high. We 

 approached, and saw near it a multitude of Indians, 

 men and women, who were looking at us, and re- 

 mained until the fleet stopped within musket shot 

 of the tower. The Indians, who are very numer- 

 ous in this island, made a great noise with their 

 drums. 



" On Friday, the sixth of May, the commandant 

 ordered one hundred men to arm themselves. They 

 embarked in the boats, and landed. They were ac- 



