water, which resembled a river, which however it was
not. Alaminos the pilot alleged that the land
in which this gulf was situated was an island, and
that the water parted it from another country, on
which account it was called
Boca de Terminos,
or the Mouth of Boundaries. They landed here,
and remained three days, and found that it was no
island, but a bay forming a good harbour. There
were temples, having idols of clay and wood, representing
men, women, and serpents; but no town could be seen,
and it was conjectured that these served as chapels
for people who went a-hunting. During the three
days that the Spaniards remained here, they took several
deer and rabbits by means of a greyhound bitch they
had with them; but they negligently left her at this
place. Going on their voyage from hence, and
always laying to or coming to anchor at night, to
avoid falling in with rocks or shoals, they discovered
the mouth of a very large river, which promised to
be a good harbour; but, on sounding it, they found
that it had water enough for the two smaller ships
only. The boats went up the river with great caution,
as they saw many armed men in canoes along shore,
resembling those of Pontonchan. This river was
named
Tabasco, from the cacique of a neighbouring
town; but the Spaniards called it Rio de Grijalva,
from the name of their commander. As the boats
advanced they heard a noise made by the Indians who
were felling trees, as, having heard of what had happened
at Pontonchan, they concluded the Spaniards meant
to make war upon them.
The Spaniards landed at a grove of palms about half
a mile from the town, and the Indians came towards
them with about fifty canoes full of armed men in
a warlike posture, all finely decorated with feathers.
When all were ready on both sides to begin an engagement,
Grijalva sent Julian and Melchior to speak with the
natives. These interpreters told them that the
Spaniards were come to treat about some affairs that
would please them, and did not intend to go war, unless
forced in their own defence. On this four canoes
drew near, and being shewn certain strings of glass
beads, which they mistook for a sort of stones called
chalcibites, much valued among them, they were
pacified. Then Grijalva ordered the interpreters
to say, That he and his men were subjects of a great
king, to whom mighty princes were under obedience,
and it was both reasonable and for their advantage
that they too should submit themselves to his authority;
and desired them, until these things could be explained
more fully, to supply him and his men with provisions.
The Indians answered, That they would give provisions,
but saw no reason why, having a lord of their own,
they should submit to any other. They likewise
warned the Spaniards to beware of making war against
them, as they had done at Pontonchan; for they had
provided three xiquiples of armed men against
them, each xiquiple being 8,000. That they already