188

CAPTURE AND BURNING OF LACANDON. [CHAP. XII.

But the delay which these embassies occasioned, was turned to good account by Quiñones, for he took advantage of it to put together the framework of one or two large vessels which the army had brought with them from Comitlán. The timbers were put together, caulked, and then launched amidst general acclamation. The astonishment of the Lacandones, when they beheld this large monster, filled with armed men, floating towards their town, was excessive. They immediately took to flight; but a hundred and fifty of their number were made prisoners, and amongst them were the principal cacique and the high priest, both of whom had been concerned in the murder of Father Vico and his companion in Acalan. This capture was effected by the Indians of Chiapa, who were far more skilful and courageous swimmers than the Lacandones, none of whom, save those in canoes, being able to escape.

The troops now entered the abandoned town, and, after having examined the houses and places of worship, it was discovered that the Lacandones, unlike the other tribes whom the Spaniards had met with, had not a single idol, but only adored the sun, and that they simply made their offerings and sacrifices before it in its actual presence, and under no other form. The only things found which might have belonged to Father Vico and his companion were a scapulary and small cape: it was subsequently known that these had been worn by the priest who presided at the festivals of the Lacandones, when they held their drunken revels; there were also found two small images. The town was then given up to pillage, and afterwards set on fire amidst great rejoicing, the rest of the army on the shore, who could see what was going on, joining heartily in the cry. Qui

ñones also despatched a force of thirty Spanish soldiers and a great number of Indian auxiliaries in pursuit of of the fugitive Lacandones, who had descended a large river in their canoes, but the pursuers, having no means. of following them further, returned to the main body.

The camp of the Spaniards was now raised, and the whole of the troops having crossed the lake, the brig was scuttled and sunk, and the army advanced upon the town of Totiltepeque, which also belonged to the Lacandones. Their march was a very disorderly one, all the ordinary precautions being neglected, as they never imagined the enemy would dare to attack victims who were so numerous and well appointed. This confidence nearly caused their ruin, for in a narrow defile the army was waylaid by a body of about a hundred Lacandones, who, appearing on the heights, attacked the Spaniards so suddenly, showering down such heavy flights of arrows, that the troops were thrown into great confusion: several were very badly wounded, and amongst these Juan de Guzman, the master of the camp. They rallied however after the first shock, and as soon as the Indians had exhausted their quivers, the Spaniards scaled the heights, but the foe had taken flight.

No further interruption was offered after this ambuscade, and Totiltepeque was gained in safety; the place was abandoned, but was found to be well provided with stores and provisions. This was a great relief to the army, whose means of subsistence were beginning to fall short. From Totiltepeque the Spaniards proceeded to Puchatla, which, like the first town they came to, was situated in a small lake, and the inhabitants waited for them while they were making rafts to cross over. When these were ready the Spaniards embarked, the Chiapa

190

PUCHUTLA CAPTURED.

CHAP. XII.

Indians swimming and guiding them for upwards of three hundred yards, carrying bundles of canes upon which they rested on the water. They were so expert as to swim with one hand guiding the raft, and in the other bearing their bows and arrows, which from time to time they discharged against the enemy, diving to avoid the discharge which the latter directed against them in return. Others of the Chiapanos swam on the gourds, also shooting while swimming, and covering a distance of more than a league; while another body protected the Spaniards on the rafts from the darts of the Lacandones in their canoes, thus giving them the opportunity to load their muskets as they advanced. The Puchutlans who were in the town, finding that their people in the lake were being hemmed in, and that the Spaniards drew nearer, took to their canoes, and rushing to the fight, a regular naval engagement took place, in which both sides fought with the most determined bravery; but the action did not last long, the effect of the fire-arms being too great for the barbarians to withstand: a panic seized them, and they fled in every direction, leaving several of their numbers killed, and many prisoners. The Spanish troops then entered Puchutla without further opposition, and, as usual, they found the town deserted.

Having accomplished so much, it was expected by the followers of Quiñones that he would not have paused here; but, for reasons which he did not choose to assign, the expedition was prosecuted no further, and, greatly to the discontent of those who had put themselves to such serious charges in the outset, orders were given for the army to return to Guatemala. But beyond the fact that they had driven the enemy before them wherever they

appeared, the expedition was wholly fruitless. The Spaniards carried back with them upwards of one hundred and ninety Lacandones prisoners, including amongst them the cacique and the high-priest; but, shortly after they arrived at Guatemala, the whole of them effected their escape.

An amusing incident is related by Villagutierre, which took place on the return of the army:

"The spoils of the war amounted to nothing; but as it was considered by the Indians highly dishonourable to return from battle without trophies, one of them, who had not been lucky enough to pick up anything, hit upon a notable expedient: ashamed to enter the town empty-handed, he filled a basket with stones, covered it with his cloak and bore it on his shoulders, like the booty carried by his companions who had been more fortunate than himself. He went home in the same manner, and his wife received him with rapture, believing that he had brought a great treasure. Eager to examine it she tore away the cloak, but saw nothing save stones. These however she made the instruments of her vengeance, and so pelted her unhappy husband with them, that he was obliged to seek refuge in an ignominious flight."

Villagutierre thus sums up the result of this expedition against the Lacandones:-" Many of the Knights and Esquires who had taken part in the war, were rewarded with crosses and honours, but the greater part of them had spent so much money in finery and ornaments, bright arms and accoutrements, that they contracted considerable debts, and left their houses and estates involved for several years, and perhaps they are even yet not free."

CHAPTER XIII.

FEIGNED SUBMISSION OF THE ITZAEX.-THE FIRST MISSIONARY EXPEDITION TO ITZA.-VOYAGE UP THE RIVER OF TIPU.-ITS SINGULAR QUALITIES.ARRIVAL OF THE MISSIONARIES AT TIPU.-RELIGIOUS

BEHAVIOUR OF THE INDIANS.-EMBASSY TO TAYASAL.-RETURN OF ITZALAN WARRIORS.-THE MISSIONARIES SET OUT FOR TAYASAL.PROTRACTED JOURNEY. ARRIVAL AT TAYASAL.-THE FIRST MASS PERFORMED. FUENSALIDA'S EXHORTATION. THE IDOL TZIMINHAC.FATHER ORBITA'S INDISCREET ZEAL. ATTEMPT TO CONVERT THE CANEK. NARROW ESCAPE OF THE MISSIONARIES. THEY RETURN TO TIPU.

ALTHOUGH the people called the Itzaex had never been subdued by force of arms, a paramount authority over them had always been claimed by the Crown of Spain in virtue of the right supposed to be derived from the formal act of taking possession of the country generally. This authority however was merely nominal, nor had any attempt been made to reduce the inhabitants of the central region of Yucatan to submission since the failure of the expedition against the Lacandones and Puchutlas in 1559. The principle of military conquest had indeed been abandoned by the Council of the Indies, as far as related to the subjugation of the small independent tribes in the interior, and the extension of authority by religious cans had become the substitute. Had it rested with the Governors of Yucatan, war would have