HISTORY OF THE SPANISH CONQUEST OF YUCATAN AND OF THE ITZAS

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                               CHAPTER IX

                  THE SECOND ENTRADA OF PADRE AVENDANO


The first entrada being spoiled on account of trouble with the
soldiers, Avendano remained in the province until October 4, 1695. On
that day news reached him from a Spanish resident of Bacalar, called
Francisco de Ariza, that the nation of the Itzas, who numbered eighty
thousand fighting men, had expressed their willingness to receive
Christianity. This news pleased the Governor (Ursua) because the Itzas
were now the only obstacle that lay between him and the completion of
the Guatemala-Yucatan highway. Accordingly arrangements were concluded
according to the terms of which Avendano was once more to attempt to
bring the Itzas to the Church. At his own wish he and his priests were
to do this alone without the retarding influences arising from the
presence of soldiers. Avendano asked for and received various letters