EXPEDITION OF GRIJALVA. 



53 



from the port of Matanzas for Yucatan. Doubling 

 Cape San Antonio, and forced by the currents farther 

 down than its predecessor, they discovered the Island 

 of Cozumel. 



Crossing over, and sailing along the coast, they 

 came in sight of Potonchan, and entered the Bay of 

 Mala Pelea, memorable for the disastrous repulse of 

 the Spaniards. The Indians, exulting in their for- 

 mer victory, charged upon them before they landed, 

 and fought them in the water ; but the Spaniards 

 made such slaughter that the Indians fled and aban- 

 doned the town. The victory, however, cost them 

 dear. Three soldiers were killed, more than seven- 

 ty wounded, and Juan de Grijalva was hurt by three 

 arrows, one of which knocked out two of his teeth. 



Embarking again, and continuing toward the west, 

 in three days they saw the mouth of a very broad riv- 

 er, which, as Yucatan was then supposed to be an 

 island, they thought to be its boundary, and called the 

 Boca de Terminos. At Tobasco they first heard 

 the famous name of Mexico ; and after saiHng on to 

 Culua, now known as San Juan de Ulloa, the fort- 

 ress of Vera Cruz, and some distance beyond along 

 the coast, Grijalva returned to Cuba to add new fuel 

 to the fire of adventure and discovery. 



Another expedition was got up on a grand scale. 

 Ten ships were fitted out, and it is creditable to the 

 fame of Juan de Grijalva that all his old companions 

 wished him for their chief ; but, by a concurrence of 

 circumstances, this office was conferred upon Her- 



