So they brought in provisions to us for sale, and we had less difficulty, in that way, than the people of the town." At last the villages of the Tabascans were left behind.

For some days the caravans traveled through a very sparsely populated country, and then arrived at a large village, where the Anahuac language was spoken.
"We are now in the country of the king," the principal merchant said.

"All over it you will find the same language spoken; for although there are many people who lived under their own chiefs, and many of whom have been but lately conquered, the language is similar, though spoken with differences, for all the tribes came down from the north and settled here." "And who dwelt here before they came ?" "A people called the Toltecs.

They were a great people, well instructed in agriculture, great workers in metals and builders of grand cities." "And what became of them ?" "It is not known, but misfortunes came upon them, famine or disease, and it is said that they went away to the south.

Then came a people called the Chichemecs, a barbarous people from the north, whom we found here when we came.