114 
TIGUEX.—LOS QUIRES.-ACOMA.—ZUNI. 
valley of the aforesaid great river twelve leagues further, they arrived at the country which 
they called New Mexico. Here, all along the shore of the river, grew mighty woods of poplar, 
in some places four leagues broad, and great store of walnut-trees and vines, like those of 
Castillia. Having travelled two days through these woods, they arrived at ten towns, situated 
upon both sides of the river, where were about ten thousand persons. Here were houses of 
four stories in height, with “stoves for the winter season.” They had “ plenty of victuals 
and hens of the country.” “Their garments were of cotton and deer-skins, and the attire, 
both of men and women, was after the manner of Indians of Mexico.” “ Both men and 
Avomen wore shoes and boots, with good soles of neat’s leather—a thing never seen in any other 
part of the Indies.” “There are caciques who govern the people, like the caciques of Mexico; 
with sergeants to execute their commands, who go through the towns proclaiming, with a 
loud voice, the pleasure of the caciques.” In this province were many idols, which were wor¬ 
shipped; and “in every house was an oratory for the devil, wherein was placed for him meat.” 
There were also “certain high chapels, in which they say the devil useth to take his ease, 
and to recreate himself as he travelleth from one town to another; which chapels are marvel¬ 
lously well trimmed and painted.” “In all their arable grounds, whereof they have great 
plenty, they erect on the one side a little cottage, or shed, standing upon four studs, under 
which the laborers eat and pass away the heat of the day, for they are a people' much given to 
labor.” “This country is full of mountains and forests of pine-trees.” Their weapons were 
strong bows, and arrows pointed with flints. They used also targets, or shields, made of raw 
hides. 
Having remained four days in this province, not far off they came to another, called the 
province of Tiguas, containing sixteen towns, in one of which (Paola) the two friars, Lopez and 
Ruyz, had been slain. Hence the inhabitants fled. The Spaniards, entering the town, found 
plenty of food, hens, and rich metals. Here they heard of many rich towns far toward the 
east. In two days’ journey from the province of Tiguas, they found another province, contain¬ 
ing eleven towns, and about 40,000 persons. The country was fertile, and bordered on Cibola, 
where was abundance of kine. Here were signs of very rich mines. 
Having returned to Tiguex, they ascended Rio del Norte, six leagues, to another province, 
called Los Quires. Here they found five towns, and 14,000 persons, who worshipped idols. 
Among the curious things seen at this place, were a pie in a.cage, and “shadows, or canopies, 
like those brought from China,” upon which were painted the sun, moon, and stars. The 
height of the pole-star led them to believe themselves in N. latitude SI^ 0 . 
Pursuing the same northerly course, fourteen leagues thence they found another province, 
called the Cumanes (or Punames), with five towns, of which Cia was greatest, having 20,000 
persons, eight market-places, and houses plastered and painted in divers colors. The inhabit¬ 
ants presented them with mantles curiously wrought, and showed rich metals, and mountains 
near by, where were the mines. Having travelled six leagues northwest, they came to Ameies, 
where are seven great towns, and 30,000 souls. One of the towns was said to be very great 
and fair; but as it stood behind a mountain, they feared to approach it. Fifteen leagues west, 
they found a great town called Acoma, containing above 6,000 persons, and situated upon a 
high rock, which was above fifty paces high, having no entrance except by stairs hewed into 
the rock. The water of this town was kept in cisterns. Their corn-fields, two leagues distant, 
were watered from a small river, upon the banks of which were roses. Many mountains in this 
vicinity showed signs of metals; but they Avent not to see them, because many warlike Indians 
Avere dwelling upon them. 
Twenty-four leagues westward from Acoma, they arrived at Zuni, by the Spaniards called 
Cibola, containing great numbers of* Indians. Here Avere three Christian Indians, left by 
Coronado in 1540. They informed Espejo that “ threescore days’ journey from this place there 
Avas a mighty lake, upon the banks whereof stood many great and good towns, and tbat the 
inhabitants of the same had plenty of gold, as shoAvn by their wearing golden bracelets and 
