dear friend, I am sure you must have something in reserve for yourself and your friend Sandoval, pray take us along with you that we may partake.”  Sandoval also assured me that he had not a single handful of maize.  “Well,” said I, “gentlemen, come to me when the soldiers are asleep, and you shall partake of what I had provided for myself and my companions.”  They both thanked and embraced me, and so we escaped famine for this bout, as I had with me twelve loads of maize, twenty fowls, three jars of honey, and some fruit and salt.  Cortes made inquiry as to how the reverend fathers had fared; but they were well off, as every soldier gave them a share of what they had procured.  Such are the hardships of military expeditions in unexplored countries.  Feared as he was by the soldiers, our general was pillaged of his provisions, and in danger of starving, and both he and captain Sandoval were indebted to me for their rations.

On continuing our march from the river for about a league, we came to the trembling marshes, where our horses had all been nearly destroyed; but the distance across did not exceed half a bowshot, between the firm ground on either side, and we got them through by main force.  When we were all safe over, and had given thanks to God for our safety, Cortes sent on to Huy-acala for a fresh supply of provisions, and took care not to have these plundered like the former; and on the ensuing day, our whole army arrived early at Huy-acala, where the chiefs had made ample preparation for our reception.  Having used every proper means to conciliate the chiefs of this nation, Cortes inquired from them as to the country we had still to march through, and whether they had heard of any ships being on the coast, or of any Europeans being settled in the country.  He was informed, that at the distance of eight days journey, there were many men having beards like ourselves, who had horses and three ships.  They also gave the general a map of the route, and offered every assistance in their power; but when asked to clear the road, they represented that some of their dependent districts had revolted, and requested our assistance to reduce them to obedience.  This duty was committed to Diego de Mazariegos, a relation of the treasurer de Estrada, as a compliment to him, and Cortes desired me in private to accompany him as his counsellor, being experienced in the affairs of this country.  I do not mention this circumstance, which is known to the whole army, by way of boast, but as my duty of historian requires it of me, and indeed his majesty was informed of it, in the letters which were written to him by Cortes.  About eighty of us went on this occasion along with Mazariegos, and had the good fortune to find the district in the best disposition.  The chiefs returned with us to Cortes, and brought a most abundant supply of provisions along with them.  In about four days, however, all the chiefs deserted us, and we were left with only three guides to pursue our march, as well as we could.  After crossing two rivers, we came to another town in the district of Huy-acala, which was abandoned by the inhabitants, but in which we took up our quarters.