He nodded his assent, and in a few minutes the procession again started, the chiefs taking their places one on either side of him, and the villagers falling in behind.

The women struck up a sort of chant, in which all except the chiefs joined.

For an hour they kept on their way and then, on ascending a small hill, a large town was seen.
"Tabasco," the chief said, pointing towards it.
Roger repeated the word, and in doing so evidently gave much pleasure to the chiefs.

As they approached the town he could see many lofty buildings rising above it; and, as they passed through a line of long palisades that surrounded the place, a body of men issued out to meet him.
As they approached, they formed in order on each side of the road.
All were armed with spears tipped with sharp, shiny stones, and carried bows and arrows.

They were dressed in doublets of thickly quilted cotton, capable of turning an arrow or resisting the thrust of a native spear; although they would offer but poor protection against English arrows, or English weapons.
As they entered the town the streets were lined with similarly dressed soldiers; behind whom stood a crowd of natives, men and women saluting their strange visitor with loud cries of welcome.
The procession continued its way until it stopped before a large building, at the entrance to which stood an aged chief.