Great increase of Crocodiles.
Between Tlascala and Los Angelos are the Fountains, out of which the River hath its Original, which gliding by Machaocan and Zacatula, falls into the South Sea: This River is so exceeding full of Crocodiles, that they have made several places which formerly were Inhabited on its Banks, utterly desolate; for the Females laying generally Eggs as big as those of a Goose, increase prodigiously; and were it not that the Indian Mice, call’d Ichneumones, destroy’d them, they would grow still to greater numbers: But this Animal creeping in at the Crocodiles Mouth, eats his way out of the Belly again; Water-Serpents, Hawks, Buffeloes, and especially Tygers, are also their mortal Enemies, for they throwing the Crocodiles on their Backs, rend open their Bellies: They are more desirous of Mans flesh here than in any other place, because the River of Tlascala hath but small store of Fish; in the day time they lie cover’d in the Mud, from whence they rush forth, and set upon those that happen to pass by them; they pursue the Canoos in the Water, and strike down the Rowers with their Tails.
Burning Mountain Popatepeck.
Eight Leagues beyond Tlascala, appears the Mountain Popatepeck, which for ten years ceas’d smoaking, till Anno 1540. it broke forth in such a manner, that the Countrey all about was terrifi’d therewith; for it vomited not onely a black Smoak, but also horrible Flames, which sometimes being blow’d downward, burnt the Corn in the Fields, and the Ashes thereof flying as far as Guaxocingo and Chulula, burnt a great deal of the Town to the Ground; every one endeavor’d by flight to secure themselves, with intention never to return thither again; but the Flame and Smoak abating, Captain Diego de Ordas went up to view the place, whence the Fire was cast forth; which curiosity and presumption of his, had like to have cost him his Life, for the sulphury Smoak breaking forth on a sudden, had almost stifled him.
Rivers of Mexicana.
Moreover, the Bishoprick of Tlascala, is on the North Coast wash’d by the River Papoloava, since call’d Alvarado, from a Spanish Commander, who first Steer’d his Course thither: The next Stream nam’d Banderas, is so call’d, because the Natives held white Clothes on Poles, to invite the Spaniards ashore. The third is Almeria, on which, Cortesius, a year after the taking of Mexico, built the Town Medellin, as aforemention’d.
Along the Tlascallan shore, wash’d by the Northern Ocean, lie the Isles Blanca, Verde, and Sacrificios: The first receiv’d its denomination from White Land, the other from Green Trees; and the third, because Joan de Greyalve, who first Discover’d New Spain, Landing on this Island, found a Bloody Altar there, with Sacrific’d People with open’d Brests, chopt off Arms and Legs.
The River Almeria falling into the Ocean opposite to the Sacrificios, the Spanish Ships came often to an Anchor there; but in these latter times, they have forsaken the same, because the Northern Winds us’d to blow very hard against the shore, and spoil’d many Vessels: But Henry Hawks gives this reason, That a dreadful apparition of Spirits frighted the Spaniards from thence.
The Province Tepeaca.
In the Bishoprick Tlascala, is also compriz’d the Province Tepeaca, whose Metropolis was built by Cortez, when with great Loss he was sent from Almeria. The Soil thereabouts is barren and stony; the Water which they have in the City, is brought in Pipes from a River which flows out of the Mountains into the Market place. The plain Countrey hath many good Pastures. The Inhabitants thereof speak four sorts of Languages; of which, the commonest is the Mexican; others use the Popolucan or Otoman Tongues.