Page:Vol 2 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/750

730, Cimatlan del Valle by Bishop Alburquerque, Chichicapa, Santa Catarina, Santa Ana, Teticpaque, Tlacuehahuaya, Juquila, and Chuapa. All, as well as can be made out, were created within the period above named. In 1575 the order laid the corner-stone of another convent in Antequera, which toward the end of the century found itself at the head of one hundred and twenty religious establishments in this diocese. The creation of a separate Dominican province of Oajaca had been contemplated prior to 1580; but for various reasons the division was not made until Father Antonio de la Serna obtained the final order from the general chapter held at Venice in 1592.

The Chontales, a fierce people, were brought under subjection to the crown after hard fighting. They paid tribute, but never would countenance the sojourn of Europeans among them, nor dwell in permanent towns. The first Christian churches erected in their country were mere huts of boughs hidden among the ravines, and scarcely distinguishable from the trees and undergrowth. The people would place food for the missionaries on the ground at the entrance of the huts and say to the Indian attendant, "Tell them to eat and go away, for we have no need of their mass." Father Domingo Carranza went among them with his staff and a rosary, attended by his Zapotec servant. At first the Chontales fled from him, and he was reduced to live on wild fruits; but after a while some