the "grand Teul," the principal aboriginal town of all this region, spoken of as a kind of sacred stronghold built on a high mesa, and containing fine temples, fountains, and statues of stone.[1] But hallowed as it was to the entire native population of that region, it possessed little attraction for the Spaniards, whose forces under Chirinos had reduced it to ashes.
From here it was decided to cross the western range in search of the large and populous provinces on the South Sea, distant some twelve days' journey, and as provisions were scarce, with few prospects of replenishing along the route, the army was divided. One division under Chirinos marched westward across the Nayarit Mountains, by a difficult route which can not be exactly traced by the records, and arrived at Tepic early in May.[2] Guzman with the remainder followed a route to the south, recrossed the river, and approached Tepic by way of Iztlan and Ahuacatlan, likewise over bad roads, where part of the baggage was lost. They met with no resistance, though some of the villages had been abandoned. On reaching Jalisco, the last place explored by Francisco Cortés in 1524, they learned that Chirinos had been in Tepic
Tonalá, as distinct from the operations of the main army, exploring part of Aguascalientes and extending as far as Jerez in northern Zacatecas. According to these authorities the main army remained south of the river, waiting [3]
- ↑ There is much doubt about the locality of 'the grand Teul.' No extensive ruins so far as I know have been Discovered in the region of the pueblo which now bears that name. For a description of the aboriginal remains in this region, see Native Races, iv. 578-93, this series. Guzman calls Teul, Teblichan, and also Teul or Tonauipan.
- ↑ The country was so rugged that of the 17 days employed they could travel only three days on horseback. Guzman, Carta, 383. Tello, Hist. N. Gal., 343-5, compares this crossing the sierra to Hannibal's crossing the Alps. The Tepic natives thought the Spaniards must be birds, regarding the route as impassable to men. Ramirez, Proceso, 207-8, thinks Chirinos reached the coast north of the Rio Grands and returned southward to Tepic.
- ↑ at Aztatlan until joined by Oñate's force, thence proceeding to Tepic, where was Chirinos' division. Gil even makes Guzman in his march from Aztatlan to Tepic pass as far south as Mascota. But all these statements are indefinite and contradictory to those of Guzman and others, who agree that the main army crossed the river and marched by way of Nochistlan to Teul. None of the latter speaks of any independent branch expedition, but Oñate or Chirinos are repeatedly mentioned as having been sent forward to reconnoitre. Oviedo, Herrera, and Salazar agree with this version, at least with that which refers to Guzman's march in person through Nochistlan. See Tello, Hist. N. Gal., 343-7, and others, ubi sup.
