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visited on his head; of Father Buenaventura and his companions he could give no account. He reported also that the Itzaex were all for war, and had constructed several strong works of defence, with many other less important particulars.

The Itzalan had scarcely furnished his narration before a sudden call to arms was made, in consequence of the approach of a body of Indians from the lake. They proved however to be of the Alain tribe, who professed themselves friendly to the Spaniards, and were headed by their Cacique Chamaxculu and other Indians, some of whom had already been baptized in Merida. Ursua gave them a warm welcome, with every appearance of the amicable purpose for which he had entered Itza, and dismissed them with many presents. Hardly had they retired before a fresh squadron of canoes was seen approaching from the Great Peten, and, by the white flag which one of them carried, Don Martin Cán recognized the presence of the high-priest Quincanek, the eldest first-cousin of the king, and next to him in authority. He came accompanied by another chief, called Kitcán, and, anxious to conciliate such important personages, Ursua gave them a brilliant reception, the troops being drawn up, and the music playing as they landed, and

were escorted to his tent.

Quincanek opened the interview by declaring, through the interpreters, that his heart was greatly rejoiced at the kindness which the Itzaex had always experienced from the Spanish commander; and Ursua replied, that if a similar disposition prevailed on their part, no hostile proceedings would arise from his visit, but if he were provoked to war the heaviest chastisement would befall them. Quincanek returned that he wanted only peace,

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VISIT OF ITZALAN WOMEN.

CHAP. XIX.

and was ready to keep it; and, having spoken about the Guatemala road, said, pointing to the south, that it went in that direction as far as the sea, on the other side of the lake. The General then told him that it would be advantageous that the Itzaex should open a road round the lake to join that of Guatemala, and Quincanek at once promised that it should be done, Ursua agreeing to pay the Indians for their labour. Before he parted from the high-priest, the General obtained from him a confirmation of the statement of Don Martin Cán respecting the embassy, and having bestowed upon himself and his followers a number of the usual presents, he urged him, on taking leave, to request the Canek to visit the Spanish camp in the same friendly manner. The Quincanek undertook for his royal cousin that the visit should be paid on a certain day, and the Itzalans returned to Tayasal,-all but Don Martin, who willingly remained with the Spaniards.

But the period named by the high-priest went by, and the Canek never appeared, though in his stead there were numbers of Itzalan women, whose presumed object was to convert the camp of Ursua into another Capua. He prevented this by the strictness of his discipline, and, though well received, the fair Itzalanas were compelled to return to the Great Peten, with their purposes of conquest unaccomplished.

It now became necessary to hold a council of war, to decide upon what course should be adopted, for everything indicated that the Itzaex were not to be won over by fair words and kindness. Yet Ursua was still for endeavouring to pacificate the country without force, and strongly urged this view of the case in the speech which he made to the Council. The chief officers, Paredes,

Estenoz, Zubiaur, and the rest, were however of a different opinion, and advocated a war of extermination; but the General would not yield to their representations, and though he had made up his mind to embark for Tayasal, the vessels being now ready,-he forthwith issued a proclamation to his troops, forbidding hostilities with the Indians under any pretext, on pain of death, unless a direct order from himself were issued on the subject.

CHAPTER XX.

EMBARKATION OF THE SPANISH TROOPS. MIRACULOUS APPEARANCE OF THE PICTURE OF ST. PAUL.-URSUA'S PEACEABLE EDICT.-THE ITZAEX MUSTER ON THE LAKE, AND COMMENCE HOSTILITIES.-THE SPANIARDS REPEL THE ASSAULT, ATTACK THE HEIGHTS OF TAYASAL, AND CAPTURE THE CITY.-TAYASAL RE-BAPTIZED.--DESTRUCTION OF IDOLS AND TEMPLES.-FORMAL POSSESSION TAKEN IN THE NAME OF THE KING OF SPAIN. DISCOVERY OF THE REMAINS OF VELASCO AND FATHER BUENAVENTURA. THE FUGITIVE ITZAEX BE IN TO RETURN TO TAYASAL.-CLEMENCY OF URSUA.-THE CANEK AID THE HIGH PRIEST BROUGHT INTO THE SPANISH CAMP.-GENER.L SUBMISSION OF THE ITZAEX.-THE CANEK AND QUINCANEK PLACED IN DURANCE, AND BROUGHT то TRIAL. AWFUL HURRICANE.-THE STORM EXORCISED.-RESULT OF THE TRIAL.-ACCOUNT OF TAYASAL AND DESCRIPTION OF THE CUSTOMS OF THE INHABITANTS

HAVING published this edict, and every preparation having been made, the day had scarcely dawned, on the 13th of March, 1697, when General Ursua aid his army confessed, and received the Sacrament. They then prayed to God for the success of the undertking, mass was said by the Vicar-General, Don Juan Pɛheco, the troops breakfasted, and, with the royal stndard flying, marched down to the waterside, where the vessels were in readiness.

Before he embarked, Ursua harangued his mn, and the Vicar-General blessed the galliot that was aout to

convey him. "He had scarcely done so," says Villagutierre, "when a engraving, about six inches wide, was seen floating on the waves and coming towards the vessel; on taking it out of the water, it was given to General Ursua. It turned out to be the picture of the glorious Apostle St. Paul, and, in consequence of this miracle, the galliot was called after his name1.'

The force which Ursua took with him consisted of 158 Spanish soldiers and 50 Indian servants, likewise armed, together with Don Martin Cán, the VicarGeneral, and the Under-Vicar Francisco de Mora. He left behind in the camp, which was well fortified and provided with artillery, a garrison of 127 Spaniards, besides a number of war-Indians, pioneers and others, under the command of Juan Francisco Cortes, a soldier appropriately named to be, under such circumstances, on such a spot.

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When the sun rose, the galliot was already on her way, steering direct for the Great Peten, and the VicarGeneral, commanding silence, offered a Salve to Nuestra Señora de los Remedios, for the success of the expedition; and when the prayer was over, the soldiers raised a great cry: "Viva la ley de Dios! Viva la ley de Dios!" Long live the law of God!" Ursua then ordered the edict, which had been published the evening before, to be read again. The drums and trumpets were ordered to sound, and the Vicar-General addressed the men: Señores," he said, "let all those who, at the bottom of their hearts, are sorry for having offended God, and would ask pardon for their sins, lift up their hands and say, 'Lord, I have sinned, have mercy upon When all, apparently, had performed this act,

me!" "

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1 Villagutierre, lib. viii. cap. 8.

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