and later known as the Nayarit hell—and descended to the rendezvous in the pass. The Spot was unfavorable both for comfort and defence; many Indians visited the camp in pretended friendliness, but the rulers did not make their appearance. The governor went in person to meet a band of two hundred warriors at a ranchería near by, and was ordered by an apostate chief, Cucut, the Serpent, to leave the country since the tonati's acts in lexico would not be ratified by the people. When Torre refused to comply, the Indians pretended to listen to his arguments, became very friendly, and even held out hopes of submission in the near future. During the next few days smoke signals were seen in all directions; Nayarit spies, including Melchor and Alonso, two of the leading chiefs, came to inspect the Spanish camp; and other spies sent out by Torre reported a plan to assemble for formal homage, and having arranged the warriors advantageously to attack at a given signal.[1] A council of war decided upon a retreat to Peyotlan, five leagues from the pass. The Indians treacherously protested against the change, promising everything, and the governor was inclined to credit their promises; but his men, and especially the native allies, insisted. The Spaniards remained at Peyotlan from the 11th to the 19th of October, frequently visited by Nayarits, who declared that the nation awaited only the coming of the tonati to submit.
Meantime that dignitary was in council with the elders at the ranchería of El Portero. He was opposed to war, and favored the admission of at least the padres, but was induced to leave the whole matter to the old men. Their decision was to name Coaxata, or Guasta, as a rendezvous, and to attack the Spaniards on the way thither at the Teaurite pass where the trail crossed a stream. This was on the 17th, and two
- ↑ According to Nayaritas, Rel., 10, the warning came on October 10th, and the attack was planned for October 16th. This writer speaks of a change of camp but does not name Peyotlan. Mota-Padilla, Conq. N. Gal., 473-4, says nothing of a retreat before the battle.
