joined by an Indian youth of about sixteen
years of age, whom they did not observe till the fourth day of their
march. Suspecting him of being a spy, Alvarado asked him who he was and
what was his object in following them. He said that he had fled from
Guachacoya, because the chief whom he served was at the point of death,
and he had been appointed to be buried alive along with his master, as
it was the custom of the country to inter women and servants along with
great personages, to minister to them in the next world.

[Footnote 185: Though not directly so expressed in the text; it may be
inferred from circumstances in the after part of the narratives that the
present object of Alvarado and the Spaniards, was to endeavour to find
their way by land to the northern part of New Spain.--E.]

At the end of the 100 leagues of wilderness, the Spaniards came to a
province called _Auche_, where they were well received, and where they
rested for two days. Still determined upon proceeding to the westwards,
they were informed that they had a desert wilderness of four days
journey to cross, and received a supply of provisions sufficient for the
journey, with a guide to conduct them through the wilderness. But after
having marched for eight days in that direction, still in the
unhospitable and unpeopled wilds, and having been three days without
Indian corn, they discovered that they had been imposed upon and were
likely to perish of famine. Alvarado now ordered a dog to be let loose
upon the faithless guide; who acknowledged that he had received orders
from the cacique of Auche to lead them into the heart of the desert that
they might there perish, because he did not think himself able to
contend with them in arms. He craved pardon therefore of the general for
having obeyed the orders of his chief, and engaged to lead the army in
three days more, still proceeding to the westwards, to an inhabited
country where they would find provisions. But the Spaniards were so
incensed against him for leading them into the present alarming
situation, that they would not listen to his apology or promises, and
permitted the dogs to devour him. Thus left in the utmost want of
provisions, and utterly ignorant of the country, the Spaniards held on
their way towards the west for other three days, during which they had
to subsist upon any wild plants they could find; and at length came to
an inhabited though barren country. They here procured the means