Page:Vol 1 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/482

302 Sail was set early in March, 1520, and after touching at Cozumel Island to pick up the party which had been left there some time before, they entered Rio de Tabasco to obtain water and provisions. The inhabitants fled from the town on seeing so large a force, but with the aid of an interpreter found there they were reassured, and brought maize and fowl, together with three women, as presents for the captain. Four days after leaving the river the fleet was dispersed by a storm, with the loss of six vessels and a number of soldiers and sailors. The rest of the vessels arrived at San Juan de Ulua in the latter part of April.

Three soldiers, deserters from the exploring expedition of Cortés, came on board, and after declaring