iscourse immediately commenced. They bid us welcome, and
stated that their ruler had sent them hither to inquire who we were, and
that he would be delighted to be of any use to such powerful men as we
were. They would have waited upon us earlier if they had not shunned the
people of Culhua, namely, the Mexicans (meaning as much as villains,)
who had been with us. Most probably these people had heard of our
battles at Tabasco and Potonchan; they at least knew that the Mexicans
had secretly departed from us three days ago. Cortes learnt from them
many things which were of the greatest importance to him, particularly
respecting the enemies and opponents of Motecusuma: Cortes, therefore,
was most friendly to these people, gave them various kinds of presents,
and desired them to return to their ruler and acquaint him that he would
visit him shortly in person. From this moment we called these Indians by
no other name than Lopelucios. However, it was impossible for us to
remain on these sand-hills, on account of the long-legged and small
gnats, which they call chechenes, and are the worst of all: we could get
no sleep for them. Moreover, we had no kind of provisions left; our
cassave-bread was quite mouldy and uneatable, on account of the worms,
with which it swarmed: it was, therefore, no wonder that several of our
men, who had Indian possessions in the island of Cuba, should wish to
return home, which was in particular the case with all the friends and
creatures of Velasquez. Cortes, observing this disposition, gave orders
for our departure to Quiahuitzlan, which had been seen by Montejo and
Alaminos, and where the vessels would be secure from the north winds,
being sheltered by the rock above mentioned.

While preparations were making for our departure, the whole of Diego
Velasquez's adherents united to remonstrate with Cortes. They asked him
how he was to commence the march without provisions; it was, indeed,
quite impossible to proceed further on by sea. Already thirty-five of
our men had died either of the wounds they received at Tabasco, of
sickness, or of hunger. The country we were now in was extensive, the
population numerous, and the inhabitants would, no doubt, attack us in a
few days. It was, therefore, most advisable to return to Cuba, and
render an account to Diego Velasquez of the gold we had bartered for, of
which we possessed a good deal: to this might be added the presents sent
by Motecusuma, the golden sun,