iards become rebellious, and at least one of their number was hanged as an example.[1]
What concerned Guzman most was the decrease of his force. He was determined on this adventure. In fact, he must go on; he could not well turn back. It was sad for him to see his men perish, not because of the men, but because of himself. Even now if he would continue his expedition he must have reënforcements. The maestre de campo, Gonzalo de Lopez, was therefore sent to Michoacan and the Avalos provinces for Tarascan warriors and carriers, together with hogs and other supplies.[2]
At length Guzman became convinced that he must remove from that spot if he would not see the whole army perish, for disease was daily thinning his number. A division under Lope de Samaniego was sent northward to Chametla, where they met with a friendly reception, and brought back fowl and fish. As they gave a good account of the place Guzman resolved to remove thither, sending first Verdugo and Proaño with a small force to prepare quarters, a task which they easily accomplished, aided by the friendly natives. At the same time, that is, at the end of November or beginning of December, Garcia del Pilar was sent southward to hasten the return of Lopez, who had been absent about forty-five days. He found the worthy maestre[3] at Ahuacatlan faithfully engaged in branding slaves,[4] for the northern market. On
- ↑ Another Spaniard was saved from the gibbet only on account of influential intercession; others charged with attempts at flight were kept prisoners.
- ↑ Tello and Mota Padilla, followed by Navarrete, says it was the captain Juan Sanchez de Olea who was sent to Mexico for aid. According to Tello he returned in two months with 6,000 carriers and supplies. Mota Padilla estimates the number at 3,500. Lopez, in Pacheco and Cárdenas, Col. Doc., xiv. 437-8, and the author of the 3a Rel. Anón., 447, add, that a commission was given by Guzman to enslave and punish the natives of the Jalisco district for having attacked a convoy of provisions sent from Michoacan, killing some of the men.
- ↑ Oviedo informs us that Lopez served under Guzman with 10 horsemen at his own expense; and unlike most of his companions he came back as poor as he started!
- ↑ Beaumont, Crón. Mich., iii. 404, speaks of 5,000 slaves sent by Guzman from Jalisco to Pánuco. This statement, if founded on fact, probably refers to a somewhat later period. Pilar and Lopez in their declarations estimate
