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