76 



INCIDENTS OF TRAVEL. 



gard to the many dangers they encountered on that 

 journey from the smallness of their numbers, the 

 great multitudes of warlike Indians, and the strong 

 walls and other defences which they found at every 

 step to obstruct their progress. The Indians con- 

 cealed the wells and ponds, and as there were no 

 streams or fountains, they were perishing with thirst. 

 Provisions were cut off, and they had war, thirst, 

 and hunger on their path. The roads were mere 

 narrow passes, with thick woods on both sides, 

 encumbered with the dead bodies of men and ani- 

 mals, and their sufferings from want of water and 

 provisions were almost beyond endurance. 



Arriving at a town called Pokboc, they pitched 

 and fortified their camp, with the intention of ma- 

 king a halt, but at night they were roused by find- 

 ing the camp on fire. All ran to arms, thinking less 

 of the fire than of the Indians, and in darkness and 

 silence waited to discover the quarter whence the 

 attack would come ; but hearing no noise, and re- 

 lieved from the apprehension of enemies, they at- 

 tempted to extinguish the flames. By this time, 

 however, the whole camp, and almost everything 

 that they had, were burned up. But they were not 

 dismayed. The captain gave notice of this misfor- 

 tune to his cousin in Campeachy, and resumed his 

 march. In the year 1540 he arrived at Tihoo. 



In a few days he was joined by forty other Span- 

 iards, who were sent on by Don Francisco Montejo, 

 and at this time some Indians came to them and 



