EXPEDITION OF MONTEJO. 57 



every captain, officer, or subject who had Hcense to 

 discover and people islands or terra firma w^ithin the 

 Hmits of the King of Spain, was bound to carry with 

 him. 



The fleet stopped at the island of Cozumel, w^here 

 the adelantado had great difficulty in communicating 

 with the Indians from want of an interpreter. Ta- 

 king on board one of them as a guide, the fleet cross- 

 ed over to the continent, and came to anchor ofl* the 

 coast. All the Spaniards went on shore, and, as the 

 first act, with the solemnities usual in the new con- 

 quests, took formal possession of the country in the 

 name of the king. Gonzalo Nieto planted the roy- 

 al standard, and cried out, in a loud voice, " Espana ! 

 Espana ! viva Espana !" 



Leaving the sailors on board to take care of the 

 vessel, the Spaniards landed their arms, ammunition, 

 horses, and provisions, and, remaining here a few 

 days to rest from the excessive heat some became 

 sick. The Indians knew that the Spaniards had 

 established themselves in New Spain, and were de- 

 termined to resist this invasion with all their strength; 

 but, for the moment, they avoided any hostile demon- 

 strations. 



As yet the adelantado had only touched along 

 the coast, and knew nothing of the interior. Expe- 

 riencing great difficulty from the want of an inter- 

 preter, he commenced his march along the coast un- 

 der the guidance of the Indian from Cozumel. The 

 country was well peopled, and, without committing 



Vol. I.— H 



