Page:Letters of Cortes to Emperor Charles V - Vol 2.djvu/290

 provided in the best possible manner; I speak with reference to the kind of arms with which they fight. I sent some of the natives to search for the inhabitants of the town, and they brought me two or three whom I  Arrival at Tiac then sent, accompanied by one of those traders from Acalan whom I had captured on the road, to rind the chief, and to tell him in my name not to be frightened; for I had not come to do him or his people any harm, but rather to help him in the wars he was carrying on, so as to leave him and his country in a state of peace and security. Two days later, the messengers returned, bringing with them an uncle of the lord of the country who was governing during his nephew's minority; the lord himself did not come, for he said he was afraid, but I spoke to the uncle and reassured him, after which he escorted me to another village of the same province, seven leagues further on, called Tiac, which was much larger than the former and equally well fortified, though not so strong since it was situated in a plain. Like the other town, it had strong palisades, a deep moat, and watch towers, and each of the three quarters into which it was divided had its own fortifications, while the whole was encircled by an outer wall stronger than the others. I had sent to this village two companies of cavalry and one of foot soldiers each under a captain, but upon their arrival they found it entirely deserted, though full of provisions; my men, however, managed to capture seven or eight natives near by, some of whom they had set at liberty so that they might go and speak to their chief, and tranquillise the people. They succeeded so well in this that, before my arrival at the place, its chief had already sent messengers with a present of provisions and cotton clothing.

After I arrived, the natives returned at two different times to bring us food and to speak with us, not only on the part of the lord of this town, but also on behalf