[XVIII-14] Zagoatan, Zagutan, etc.
[XVIII-15] Ocumba was one of the pueblos discovered up the river.
[XVIII-16] 'Estuvieron muy cerca de se ahogar dos ó tres españoles,' is the prudent form in which Cortés disguises this and other unpleasant facts to the emperor. Cartas, 404.
[XVIII-17] An anthropophagous Mexican was here burned alive, as a warning against such indulgences; and a letter was given to the leading cacique to inform other Spaniards that he was a friend to the white man. Gomara, Hist. Mex., 252; Herrera, dec. iii. lib. vii. cap. viii.
[XVIII-18] Ascension is the name applied by Cortés to the Gulf of Honduras. While on the way to the capital of Acalan, a messenger came up with letters from Mexico, not of very late date, however, and he was sent back from Izancanac. Cortés, Cartas, 421-2.
[XVIII-19] The fate of the crew and vessels appears to have been mixed up with the invented narrative of the general disaster, and it was not till after Cortés' return to Mexico, two years later, that inquiries were made which revealed their fate. Bernal Diaz, Hist. Verdad., 196, 210. Albornoz, one of the rulers appointed by Cortés over Mexico, relates in a letter to the emperor, dated 15 December, 1525, that according to reports from Xicalanco traders to Ordaz, the party of Cortés had been killed seven to eight moons before, in an island city, seven suns distant from Xicalanco, called Cuzamelco. They had been surprised by night and slaughtered with sword and fire. A number of captives had been reserved for the table, but the flesh being found bitter of taste it had been cast into the lake. Icazbalceta, Col. Doc., i. 485-6.
[XVIII-20] Zaguatapan, Huatipan, etc.
[XVIII-21] 'Y los arboles tan altos que no se podia subir en ellos, para atalayar la tierra.' Gomara, Hist. Mex., 253.
[XVIII-22] Cortés names Uzumazintlan, below, and Petenecque, six leagues above, with three other pueblos beyond. Cartas, 412. Cortés gave presents in return, and made so forcible an appeal in behalf of his creed, that many returned to burn their idols. Gomara, Hist. Mex., 254. Bernal Diaz states that four foragers were killed on this river. Hist. Verdad., 198.
[XVIII-23] The natives reported two rivers, one very large, and bad marshes, on the three days' road to Acalan. Bernal Diaz, Hist. Verdad., 198.