Chapter 6 The Province of Nicaragua Summary and Analysis

Avila set out in 1522 or 1523 to Nicaragua. It was a beautiful fertile area with a healthy climate and prosperous people. The quality and abundance of produce was enough to support a very large population. Once the Spaniards arrived, they redistributed the land amongst themselves. In addition to taking land, they took the people as laborers and for their own personal needs. Even the smallest children, as soon as they could stand, were made to work as well as mothers who had just given birth. The flat terrain and absence of close by mountains made it hard for the natives to run and hide, though the people were reluctant to leave anyways because of the area's beauty.

One day, the Avila sent about fifty men on horseback to kill off a region greater than...