began to be undertaken by the Spaniards into regions west and north of the valley of Mexico never penetrated by the Aztec armies, and the Chichimecs, now reënforced by many Otomís who had refused to accept the conqueror's rule, were in course of time compelled to submit.
The first expedition against them was not undertaken by the Spaniards themselves, but by their Mexican and Otomí allies, and the pacification of the hostile tribes extended over a period of more than thirty years. The christianized Otomí cacique, Nicolás de San Luis de Montañez,[1] has given us a sketch of their subjection and his own share in accomplishing it. From his account we learn that as early as 1522, with permission of the Spaniards, he made an incursion into the Chichimec country, and was engaged for thirty years and more in making war on those tribes.
San Luis with the cacique Fernando de Tapia[2] and many relatives and friendly nobles in 1522 raised a large force and marched against the Chichimecs. It was during this incursion that a singular battle was fought on the 25th of July. The Chichimecs to the number of twenty-five thousand were posted on a hill, which later received the name of Sangremal. Conspicuous among their chiefs were Lobo, or the Wolf, and Coyote, as cunning as he was strong. The allied Otomí and Mexican forces entirely surrounded the hill. The Chichimecs possessed the advantage in regard to position; the Mexicans and Otomís in re-
- ↑ According to Father Vega in his Memorias de la Nacion Indiana, San Luis was a native of Tula, lineally descended from one of the Toltec kings, and a near relative of Montezuma. He became an early ally of the Spaniards, and assisted them against the Mexicans, being also christianized among the first. Charles V. made him cacique of Tula, a knight of Santiago, and captain general. Zerecero, Rev. Mex., 510. The narrative is exceedingly confused with respect to events, and contains errors as to dates and persons, besides useless repetitions. San Luis, Rel., in Beaumont, Crón. Mich., iv. 551-63.
- ↑ One of the highest chiefs among the Otomís. Upon receiving baptism he took Cortés' Christian name, and the patronymic of two celebrated conquerors who went with the former to Mexico. The chief was a supporter of the Spaniards. San Luis gives the names of the captains who served under him in the Chichimec campaign.
