was probably the invention of some more ingenious brain. Tying a hungry dog to the tongue of a large bell suspended from the limb of a tree, they placed food above the animal, but out of reach. Then they made a sally, which was but a feint, in order to reconnoitre the enemy's camp, and draw them off from their pathway of escape. All being ready they crept stealthily forth under cover of the night, leaving the dog to ring deception regarding their watchful presence. Thus some hours were gained, and when the enemy discovered the trick and a number pursued, they dared not openly attack.
Reaching the town of Silan,[1] in the territory of the Cheles, a friendly people, they remained in that neighborhood for several months, and thence made their way to Salamanca,[2] where they arrived some time in 1532, and were soon afterward rejoined by Ávila and all that was left of his command.[3]
Once more Montejo displays his unfitness for com-
- ↑ A harbor and town on the north coast, some 21 leagues east by north from Merida. In Ogilby, 1671, is given Morras de Silaa; Dampier, 1699, Sélam; Kiepert, Vijia de Silan. Cartog. Pac. Coast, MS., i. 374.
- ↑ In Herrera's narrative are many perplexities and contradictions as to Montejo's expedition. In dec. iv. lib. x. cap. i, he says: 'The adelantado abandoned Chichen Itza in 1531, went to Campeche for a few months, and then proceeded with his men to New Spain, where he lived some years importuning assistance to renew his attempt.' In dec. v. lib. 1 cap. ix., he affirms 'that in 1532 Montejo was settled in Salamanca, where Ávila on his return from Villa Real and Trujillo found him.' Again, in dec. v. lib. ix. cap. viii., he states 'that in 1535 the adelantado, the contador, and their men were at Salamanca, and that at this time Montejo left Yucatan and went to Mexico to ask aid from the newly arrived viceroy.' Speaking of the natives, he stigmatizes them as 'mendacious and perfidious creatures, who never killed a Spaniard except by treachery;' utterly oblivious of the numerous encounters in which, by reason of native courage and endurance, it often went hard with their hated destroyers. Herrera may be used, but cannot be wholly trusted when writing on Yucatan.
- ↑ When Ávila and his men arrived at Trujillo, he was supplied with arms and horses by the colonists, and with such articles of clothing as they could spare, although, no vessel from Spain having reached there for three years, they were themselves in need of raiment. See Hist. Cent. Am., ii., this series. Soon afterward two ships arriving from Cuba, the contador put his men on board, and thus rejoined Montejo. From Ávila's own narrative to the king, dated from Salamanca, June 23, 1533, we learn that he had been 25 days at Trujillo, and was forced to leave 16 of his men behind. He refers to another report by Valencia, an officer of Montejo, also addressed to the king. Dávila, Relacion, in Pacheco and Cárdenas, Col. Doc., xiv. 97-128. 'Avila, after two years' absence, returned to Montejo's camp, by way of Trujillo.' Montejo, Carta, in Squier's MSS., xxii. 129.
