364 
VOYAGE TO THE 
CHAP, bridle, threw his rider, and kicked him in the face and forehead: and 
as poor Flores could not swim, he was in a fair way of losing his life 
Nov. before he came within sight of the field of battle : assistance was 
speedily rendered, and he was saved. As Sanchez wished to surprise 
the enemy, he encamped until dusk, to avoid being seen by the wild 
Indians, who were travelling the country : several of whom were met 
and taken prisoners. At five they resumed their march; but neighbour 
Gexbano Chaboya being taken ill with a pain in his stomach, there was 
a temporary halt of the army : it however soon set forward again, and 
arrived at the river of Yachicume at eleven at night, with only one 
accident, occasioned by the horse of neighbour Leandro Flores again 
throwing up his heels, and giving him a formidable fall. 
“ The troop lay in ambush until five o’clock the next evening, and 
then set out, but here they were distressed by two horses running 
away ; they were however both taken after a short march, which 
brought them to the river San Francisco near the rancheria of their 
enemy the Cosemenes, and where the alferez commanded his troops to 
prepare for battle by putting on their cu6ros, or armour. The 23d the 
troop divided, and one division was sent round to intercept the Cose- 
menes, who had discovered the Christians, and were retreating ; some 
of whom they made prisoners, and immediately the firing began. It 
had lasted about an hour when the musket of soldier Jose Maria 
Garnez burst, and inflicted a mortal wound in his forehead ; but this 
misfortune did not hinder the other soldiers from firing. The Gentiles 
also opened their fire of arrows, and the skirmishing became general. 
Towards noon a shout was heard in the north quarter, and twenty 
Gentiles were seen skirmishing with three Christians, two on foot and 
one on horseback, and presently another shout was heard, and the 
Christians were seen flying, and the Gentiles in pursuit of them, who 
had already captured the horse. 
“ It was now four o’clock, and the alferez seeing that the Gentiles, 
who were in ambush, received little injury, disposed every thing for the 
retreat of the troops, and having burnt the rancheria, and seen some 
dead bodies, he retreated three quarters of a league, and encamped for 
