[VI‑17] The present town of Cuajiniquilapa is situated a few miles from the right bank of this river.
[VI‑18] Brasseur de Bourbourg assumes that it was surmounted by a fortress.
[VI‑19] Tonaltetl by name.
[VI‑20] Juarros, Guat., ii. 88-90. This author makes the rather doubtful assertion that the place was called Los Esclavos from the fact that these were the first rebels whom the Spaniards branded. Brasseur de Bourbourg more reasonably assigns the origin of the name to the great number branded.
[VI‑21] Brasseur de Bourbourg says: 'The town of this name situated between the lofty mountains of Bilabitz and Meawan preserved more than other places the ancient rites of Hunahpu and Exbalanqué, and the temple of these gods annually received a certain number of human victims.' Hist. Nat. Civ., iv. 699.
[VI‑22] Brasseur de Bourbourg gives the number of Indian allies as three thousand. Hist. Nat. Civ., iv. 700.
[VI‑23] Called by Juarros, Gaspar Arias Dávila. Guat., i. 363. This officer may be identical with a certain Gaspar Arias de Avila or Dávila, whom Alvarado while in Honduras sent to confer with Pedrarias at Panamá. The name of Gaspar Arias appears in the minutes of the cabildo of Oct. 4, 1525, and not again till March 18, 1528, when he was nominated for the office of alcalde. The omission of his name for so long a period may be explained by his absence in Panamá.
[VI‑24] According to Bernal Diaz, Gaspar Arias was a firm supporter of Alvarado and his party. Hence, probably, his dismissal from office.
[VI‑25] The reception which Arias met with at Santiago is a good illustration of Orduña's character. On appearing before the cabildo and petitioning that the wand of office be restored to him, Orduña passionately called him a disturber of the peace, laid violent hands on him, and, while ordering him to be carried off to prison, struck him in the face. 'Delante de todo el cabildo, y en gran menosprecio y desacatamiento de su magestad y de su cabildo.' In January 1530 Arias again petitioned for redress, but though the voting was somewhat in his favor, he does not seem to have obtained it, as his name appears no more as alcalde. Arévalo, Actas Ayunt. Guat., 139-42.
[VI‑26] 'Plusieurs Espagnols et surtout beaucoup d'alliés, ayant été pris vivants, se virent emmenés dans la place et sacrifiés solennellement à la divinité barbare.' Brasseur de Bourbourg, Hist. Nat. Civ., iv. 700. The name of the idol was Exbalanqué.