The People hereabouts were generally Man-eaters.
Eighteen Leagues farther runs the River Tamochala, which hath many Villages on both sides thereof.
Between Petatlan and Tamochala lie several desolate Wildernesses, and Woods of the Brasile-Tree.
But Gusman travelling up twenty seven Leagues along the fore-mention’d River Tamochala, came to the Province Cinoloa, where they stay’d six Weeks, by reason of the abundance of Rains; during which time the Villagers provided them Turtle-Doves, Hares, Rabbets, and all sorts of Fowls; but at last deserted their Habitations in the Night: after which the Spaniards crossing Tamochala went along a barren Desart, where (had they not found Water in certain Wells, and likewise store of Juice out of the Tunas-Trees) they had without doubt perish’d; at last getting over the River Yaguinu, they found a deserted Village, out of which a broad Path led along the Stream; whither Gusman marching, he came into a Plain, where he spy’d several Indians, which after some resistance were routed by the Spanish Horse.
The Villages built on the Banks of the River Yaguinu, as also the Language of the Inhabitants differ little from the former.
Not far from hence a Ridge of Hills runs into the Sea, and also extend themselves a hundred Leagues towards Xalisco.
Sect. VII.
Zacatecas.
Bounds and Description of Zacatecas.
The Zacatecas, as they call them, are bounded on the South, with Guadalajara; on the North, with New Biscay; on the West, with Couliacan and some part of Xalisco; and on the East, with New Spain. The Countrey, especially the more Western part of it, is very rich in Silver Mines, no Province of this part of America richer; but not so apt either for Wheat or Maiz. But the Eastern parts of it are abundantly stor’d with all sorts of Fruits, the Woods every where replenish’d with Deer, the Fields no less with Corn, and every Tree almost giving Entertainment to some Bird or other.
Towns and Villages.