A RENCOUNTER WITH THE NATIVES. 51 



called Kimpech, and at this day it is known by the 

 name of Campeachy. 



Continuing westwardly, they came opposite a 

 town about a league from the • coast, which was 

 called Potonchan or Champoton. Being again in 

 distress for water, they went ashore all together, and 

 well armed. They found some wells, filled their 

 casks, and were about putting them into the boats, 

 w r hen large bodies of warlike Indians came upon 

 them from the town, armed with bows and arrows, 

 lances, shields, double-handed swords, slings, and 

 stones, their faces painted white, black, and red, and 

 their heads adorned with plumes of feathers. The 

 Spaniards were unable to embark their water-casks, 

 and, as it was now nearly night, they determined to 

 remain on shore. At daylight great bodies of war- 

 riors, with colours flying, advanced upon them from 

 all sides. The fight lasted more than half an hour ; 

 fifty Spaniards were killed ; and Cordova, seeing that 

 it was impossible to drive back such a multitude, 

 formed the rest into a compact body and cut his 

 way to the boats. The Indians followed close at 

 their heels, even pursuing them into the water. In 

 the confusion, so many of the Spaniards ran to the 

 boats together that they came near sinking them ; but, 

 hanging to the boats, half wading and half swimming, 

 they reached the small vessel, which came up to their 

 assistance. Fifty-seven of their companions were 

 killed, and five more died of their wounds. There 

 was but one soldier who escaped unwounded ; all 



