Guatimala was discovered at the same time with Mexico; but it is doubtful whether it was ever a part of that empire. The origin of its people and of their civilization is unknown. The same marks of national industry, the same massive ruins, great cities, temples, and palaces, the same order and regular government, prevailed here as in the north; but over them was thrown the same mystic veil which hid from eager gaze the inner and more interesting truths of their origin. Tradition among the natives pointed to a party of Toltecas from Mexico, as the original settlers, and even preserves the name of Nimaquiche, as the chief who led the party from Tula to their new abode. At the time of the Mexican conquest, Kicab Tanub, an alleged descendant of Nimaquiche reigned in Utatlan, the principal seat of the Quiches or primitive inhabitants of the country. This chief, who appears to have been of a most active warlike nature, was then engaged in hostilities with the neighbouring nations, called Mams, Zutugiles, and even with Sinacam, a king of Guatimala.

After the conquest of Mexico, Cortes despatched Alvarado against the southern countries, with three hundred infantry, and thirty-five horsemen, two hundred Tlascalans and Cholulans, and a hundred Mexicans. His artillery numbered four pieces. Such was the army destined to conquer provinces who numbered their warriors by hundreds of thousands. This army commenced its march in 1523, moved through the region of Socunusco and penetrated to the city of Xetulul in the Palahunoh chain of mountains. This, together with its fortress, was soon captured. On the banks of the Zomala, the troops were suddenly attacked by a numerous body of Indians, who, discharging stones and arrows upon them, compelled the auxiliaries to fall back. A discharge of musketry soon drove the assailants to their retreat in the mountains; but at short intervals they renewed the attack, seriously retarding the progress of the invaders. HE news of this formidable invasion surprised Kicab Tanub in the midst of his military operations. His anxiety at so imminent a calamity absorbed all other feelings, and he determined immediately to conclude peace with the neighbouring chieftains. A plan for peace, and a general coalition against the invaders was sent to them; but so far was it from being accepted, that Sinacam openly declared himself the friend and ally of the Spaniards, or gods, as they were called. The king of the Zutugiles fiercely replied that he was

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strong enough to defend his own territory against any enemy; and thus Kicab Tanub saw himself reduced to the necessity, not only of contending with his former enemies, but also with the Spaniards.

Undismayed by the gathering storm, the king applied himself diligently to finding means to avert it; but in the midst of his preparations, he sickened and died. His eldest son, Tecum Uman, had just ascended the throne, when he received intelligence that the Spaniards had quitted Soconusco, and were marching toward Xelahuh, (Quezaltenango.) This place was the best fortified and most important of any in Utatlan, containing a garrison of twenty-five thousand men. To maintain this position was a matter of no little importance; and to that end Tecum Uman determined to direct all his efforts.

He, accordingly, issued from his capital in great pomp, surrounded by the nobles of the kingdom, and at the head of seventy thousand men, under his best general, Ahzol. Eighty thousand joined him at Chemequina; and at Quezaltenango, where he came in sight of the Spaniards, his force was swelled to two hundred and thirty thousand fighting men.

Without waiting for offers of negotiation, the king determined at once to give battle. His preparations for this issue prove that the determination was not a blind confidence in superior numbers-the too frequent error in the Indian armies. He chose the field of

Tzaccaha, and began fortifying it with the greatest care and precision. A wall, bordered by a deep ditch, was extended around its entire circuit; and in front of the ditch were planted rows of poisoned missiles, designed to interrupt and disorder an enemy's ranks. Thus intrenched, the Quiches awaited the advance of their powerful antagonists.

HE Spaniards approached Xelahuh with the utmost caution, in order to avoid surprise. In winding through the mountains, now known as Santa Maria de Jesus, they encountered, very unexpectedly, a host of Indians who barred the passage. The tableland above was in like manner swarming with warriors. Soon the wild passes of the Cordilleras rang with the shouts of tens of thousands, and the two armies joined in a fierce and bloody struggle. Victory declared for the invaders, and, filing through the ravine, they recommenced their march. But their toil had only begun. At every pass, a new battle was offered; every peak and crag rained down showers of missiles, and the whole mountain range seemed converted into a hostile camp. Six engagements took place between Zamala and the river Olintepec. The last was fought in a defile on the river shore. The slaughter was so terrible that streams of blood ran down into the water, staining it for many yards along the banks, thus giving rise to the present significant name of Xiquigel, or bloody river. In a subsequent action, the Quiches fought with such desperate valour, that, forgetting all discipline, they seized the horses of the Spaniards by the mane, and struggled to overturn both steed and rider. Two days after, the victors entered Xelahuh which was found deserted. In a little while, however, the inhabitants returned and concluded a treaty with the new occupants.

The great battle between Alvarado and the Quiches took place on the following day. The first shock was terrible; and for a time the Spaniards seemed in danger of being defeated; but, as the crowds of their opponents continued to pour on, they became so densely packed, that exertion was almost impossible. almost impossible. Hundreds were mowed down in passive slaughter. The battle was not restored until the Spaniards had cut an opening into the living mass with their weapons. The vast multitude swayed to and fro like the

ocean, and a wild uproar rose upon the air, and rolled from rock to rock of those lofty plains. The king behaved in a manner worthy his cause and station; and, at length, singling out Alvarado, he rushed upon him and engaged in a furious personal encounter. The horse of the Spanish general was struck dead; and, for a while, he was himself in imminent danger. He finally overturned his opponent with his lance. But, instead of being discouraged by the death of their king, the Quiches threw themselves upon the Spanish cavalry, and grasping the horses, struck maddened but vain blows with their hands. The steeds with their riders plunged breast-high among piles of dead bodies; and the ground in the im mediate scene of battle was one great pool of blood. Discipline at last prevailed; and the rout of that day was total.

These great reverses were not sufficient to dampen the spirit of the Quiches. King Chignauivcelut, successor of Tecum Uman, ordered a great council to assemble at Utatlan, to deliberate upon future measures. It was there resolved to abandon open force, and

attempt to draw the invaders into a snare. Accordingly, the king sent a solemn embassy to Alvarado, announcing the submission of the kingdom, and offering a rich present in gold. Overjoyed at this news, Alvarado received the envoys with high distinction; and, on being invited in the king's name to visit the city and repose after his fatigues, he cordially assented, and dismissed them with presents to the monarch.

On the following day, the army commenced its march for Utatlan, elated with the prospect of speedy peace. After entering, they beheld, to their surprise, that their road lay through a narrow street, commanded by heavy fortifications, and flanked by ditches; that the women and children had all been removed; and that anxiety and trepidation displayed themselves among the inhabitants. Suspicions of treachery arose, and were soon confirmed by the Indians of Quezaltenango, who had discovered that the enemy had resolved on firing the city during the night. They also affirmed that large numbers of warriors were concealed in the neighbouring defiles, ready to fall upon all who should escape the flames.

IN this perplexing extremity, Alvarado called a council of war, and announced to his officers the dangers of their situation, and the necessity of an immediate retreat from the city. This was instantly agreed Without any appearance of fear or agitation, the troops issued forth in good order and gained the plain. So abrupt a departure necessarily asto

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nished the king; but Alvarado excused himself by alleging that the. pasturage of the plains was, in the evening, indispensable to the horses. The king still continued his pacific policy; but in the eagerness to free the land from its invaders, he overstepped the bounds of prudence, and committed a fatal error. He accompanied Alvarado to the plain. Hardly had that leader placed himself in safety, when he seized the monarch, brought him to speedy trial, and, on the same evening, hung him in the presence of both armies. By this decisive step, it was thought the Indians would have been awed into submission; but the result was far otherwise.

The various forces of the Quiches, as though by common consent, poured down upon the Spaniards, and a contest ensued in which the latter found themselves attacked on all sides. But, although unpropitious at first, the battle soon turned in favour of the inva