separated from the main body, and, proceeding by a different route under Ávalos, they obtained the coöperation of several caciques,[1] who were dissatisfied with the king of Colima, and extended their raid over a large tract, notably the northern region which in honor of the leader obtained the name of Ávalos' province.[2] Álvarez had meanwhile, with more ambitious views, advanced by a southern route on the capital, only to be waylaid in a ravine by the allied forces under Zoma and Capaya, caciques of Jicotlan and Autlan, and to be driven back with considerable loss;[3] whereupon he hurried crestfallen upon his original mission to Zacatula.[4]
Informed of the disaster, as well as of the hostility of Impilcingo, a province between Zacatula and Colima, which had probably been stirred by the Spanish defeat, Cortés sent the able Olid with twenty-five horsemen and about eighty foot-soldiers,[5] to chastise this province, restore order in Zacatula, and, reënforced by a part of its troops, to subjugate Colima. The rugged nature of the country, which made cavalry useless, and the warlike spirit of the
- ↑ Such as those of Zapotlan and Sayula.
- ↑ Mota Padilla, loc. cit.; Gil, ubi sup. Jacotepec, Zacoalco, an? Axixie, appear among the subjected districts. 'The chief inducement for joining the Spaniards was to escape the heavy tribute to the king, one third of all produce.
- ↑ Three Spaniards and many allies. Cortés, Cartas, 276. Gomara, followed by Herrera and Beaumont, throw on Olid the blame for this operation. 'Peleo muchos dias. Al cabo quedo vẽcido,' etc. Hist. Mex., 220. Tello names the allies who supported the king, all of which Mota Padita reproduces. Cong. N. Gal., 69. Beaumont differs somewhat in regard to the allies. Crón, Mich., iii. 502. Owing to their confusion about early events little reliance can be placed on the names connected with the invasion.
- ↑ Not to Mexico as the above writers assume. 'Sabido por mi, mandé traer preso al capitan, y le castigué.' Cortés, Cartas, 276. Success would have obtained reward for the disobedience. Ávalos is said to have held out: in his district, but this is uncertain.
- ↑ Herrera, followed, by Beaumont and others, gives the same force as Cortés, but places it under Sandoval. dec, iii. lib. ili. cap. xvii.
without naming the officer. Cartas, 276. Bernal Diaz gives the name, and agrees upon the time. The main cause for the general confusion of writers is Herrera, An analysis of the main historians reveals his errors. dec. iii. lib. iii. cap. xi. xvii.; Frejes, Hist. Breve, 29-31. Mercator, 1569, Colima; Munich Atlas, xii., 1571, Collima, repeated northward; Ogilby, 1604, Colima; Dampier, 1679, V. Colima; Laet, 1633, Colima; same in West-Ind. Spieghel, Colom, Jefferys; Kiepert writes volcano and city. Cartog. Pac. Coast, MS., ii. 472
