IN THE OLDEN TIME. 
265 
selves. Whether by any combination the tribes of 
Central America could have resisted the invaders, as 
did the Lacandones, no man can say. Probably their 
time had come, and no human or divine influence could 
change the event; but it is sad to see these many tribes, 
while the storm was gathering over their devoted heads, 
fighting among themselves in the most headstrong way : 
and so they fought until the coming of Pedro Alvarado. 
Guatemala held three hostile camps, — the Quiches at 
Utatlan; the Cakchiquels at Iximche or Tecpan Quauhte- 
malan; and the Tzutohiles at Atitlan. 
December 6, 1523, the greatest general and most trusted 
friend of Cortez, Pedro de Alvarado, departed from the 
City of Mexico at the head of three hundred infantry (of 
whom one hundred and thirty were archers and gunners), 
and one hundred and twenty cavalry. He took four small 
cannon, in which were used stone balls, forty reserve 
horses, and his native allies were two hundred Tlaxcal- 
tecas and one hundred Mexicans, besides a large number 
of tlcimenes to carry the baggage. With this warlike array 
went two ministers of the Prince of Peace, Juan Godinez 
and Juan Diaz. The conquest of Guatemala was the end 
to be attained. 
Alvarado marched south to Soconusco, and here met his 
first opponents. Unlike the contemptible Cakchiquels, 
the brave Quiches would make no terms with the invaders 
of their country, and as the Spaniards approached they 
hastened to join the men of Soconusco, and near Tonala 
fought their first battle with the white men. The Indies 
were utterly routed ; but they fell back and made prepara¬ 
tions for a greater struggle. Oxib-Queh was then Ahau- 
Ahpop of the Quiches, and his fellow-king or Ahpop-Camlia 
