Page:Letters of Cortes to Emperor Charles V - Vol 1.djvu/36

16 lofty buildings, to which they gave the fanciful name of Grand Cairo. They discovered the island of Cozumel, and, in a battle with the Indians at Catoche, they captured two natives who afterwards became Christians, baptised under the names of Julian and Melchor, and rendered valuable services as interpreters. Besides the coast of Yucatan, the most interesting discovery made by this expedition was the mysterious crosses which they found the Indians venerating at Cozumel. Francisco Hernandez de Cordoba died a few days after his arrival in Cuba from the wounds he had received at Catoche, and the other members of the expedition made their way back to Santiago where the spoils taken from the temples, the small quantity of gold, the two strange Indians, and most of all the marvellous tales of the men served to excite the eager cupidity of the colonists, ever ready to believe that Eldorado was found. The news spread throughout the islands, and even reached Spain and Flanders, where the young King Charles the First (the Emperor Charles V.), then was.

Diego Velasquez promptly organised an expedition to follow up these discoveries, and establish trading relations with the natives, which he placed under the command of his kinsman, Juan de Grijalba. It was composed of four ships, the San Sebastian, La Trinidad, Santiago, and Santa Maria. The captains under Grijalba were Francisco de Avila, Pedro de Alvarado, and Francisco de Monteio (Bernal Diaz, cap. viii; Oviedo, Sumario, lib. xvii., cap. viii., Orozco y Berra, Conquista de Mexico, vol. iv., cap. i). This fleet set sail on May i, 1518, and after a fair voyage reached the island of Cozumel on May 3rd (Itinerario de larmata del Re Cattolico apud Icazbalceta, Documentos Ineditos, vol, i.).

Grijalba visited several points along the coast, giving Spanish names to various bays, islands, rivers, and towns. The Tabasco River, of which the correct Indian name