[XXII-28] The Zamalá, bearing at its source the name Seguilá, and lower that of Olintepec. Near the village of this latter name it is joined by the Tziha, from which junction down to the sea it is called the Zamalá. Brasseur de Bourbourg, Hist. Nat. Civ., iv. 635.
[XXII-29] The loss to the natives was of course severe. Of the Spaniards two only were killed, but many were wounded. The allies were greater sufferers, and a number of the horses were badly injured. See further Alvarado, Relacion, in Barcia, Hist. Prim., i. 157-8; Oviedo, iii. 475-6; Bernal Diaz, Hist. Verdad., 174; Salazar, Conq. Mex., 125-6; Ixtlilxochitl, Horribles Crueldades, 66; Fuentes y Guzman, Recordacion Florida, MS. 2; Juarros, Guat., ii. 250.
[XXIII-1] With whom the king of the Quichés was actually at war, and who with sneers and insults affirmed that without aid he could defend his kingdom against a greater army than that which the strangers were bringing against the Quichés. Juarros, Guat., ii. 247.
[XXIII-2] That is to say, 'Under the government of Ten.' The city was ruled by ten lords, each having under him a xiquipil, or 8000 dwellings. Fuentes estimated that this city contained 300,000 inhabitants. So strongly was it fortified that it had never been taken, though attempts had often been made. Juarros, Guat., ii. 240.
[XXIII-3] The most powerful of the Quiché monarchs, said to have reigned about the time of Julius Cæsar. For list of Quiché kings see [Native Races, v. 566].
[XXIII-4] Juarros states that Tecum Umam set out with 72,000 fighting men. At Chemequena, now Totonicapan, the number was increased to 90,000 by the forces of eight fortified places and eighteen towns; on the plains of Xelahuh ten lords joined him with 24,000 men, and 46,000 arrived from other quarters, so that in all his army amounted to 232,000 warriors. Juarros, Guat., ii. 248. Vazquez affirms that these forces came from more than 100 populous towns, which owed allegiance to the Quiché monarch, and that no aid was given by the Cakchiquels or Zutugils. Chronica de Gvat., 5.
[XXIII-5] Vazquez describes both the natural difficulties and the artificial defences of this pass as offering the greatest obstacles to the invaders. The gorge had been protected by palisades and ditches, and only by the most indefatigable exertions, now destroying trenches and stone barricades, now climbing rugged steeps by help of feet and hands, were the Spaniards able to reach the plain above. Moreover, the devil was at hand to help his own, and he wrought against the good Spaniards by means of diabolical transformations in lightning and whirlwinds, and otherwise convulsed elements; and by fearful apparitions and transformations into wild beasts. Chronica de Gvat., 5. This, from Fray Francisco's description, will enable the reader to form some opinion of the religio-historical narration representing this achievement.
[XXIII-6] Bernal Diaz states that the Spaniards had three men and two horses wounded in this struggle. Fuentes says six men and two horses were wounded. Fuentes y Guzman, Recordacion Florida, MS., 3.
[XXIII-7] Alvarado, Relacion, in Barcia, i. 158; Oviedo, iii. 476; Bernal Diaz, Hist. Verdad., 174; Gomara, Hist. Mex., 229.
[XXIII-8] 'I aqui hicimos otro alcance mui grande, donde hallamos Gente, que esperaba vno de ellos à dos de Caballo.' Alvarado, Relacion, in Barcia, i. 158. See also for a description of this engagement, Herrera, dec. iii. lib. v. cap. ix.