According to his statement he was wrecked in the vicinity with nineteen others. Seven of his comrades were overcome by hunger and exhaustion. The rest fell into the hands of the cacique of that country, a monster who sacrificed five of them to his deities and placed the others in a kind of cage, intending to fatten and then eat them. They had the good fortune, however, to escape. Helpless and despairing, they wandered about the forests, subsisting upon roots and herbs, until at last they met some Indians who took them to a kindly cacique, an enemy of the other. He received them humanely but each day imposed hard tasks upon them. The most of them died in a short time, only two of them, Aguilar and Guerro, surviving. They soon had an opportunity to render the cacique important service in his wars, for which he was very grateful. Guerro married an Indian woman of distinction, was made commander, and gradually became so Americanized that when the Spaniards arrived he did not care to change his conditions. He would not see them, perhaps for shame, for Aguilar said he had pierced his nose and painted various parts of his body as the natives did. Cortes embraced the poor Aguilar and covered his nakedness with his own cloak. As Aguilar had learned the language of the country during his long stay there, Cortes was rejoiced at his discovery, for he naturally hoped he would be of great service to him in future communications with the Indians. From Cozumel he directed his course to Tabasco, and to that part of it where the river Grijalva empties into the sea. He expected to meet a friendly reception, as Grijalva had, but he was disappointed. At sight of his vessels the natives assumed a hostile aspect and seemed determined to prevent him from landing. He sent Aguilar to them to make an agreement, but it was useless. They would not listen to him, and he had to return without accomplishing his object. The event was as unpleasant to Cortes as it was unexpected. He had not planned to begin his conquest in that place. His object was to reach as soon as possible the region nearest the country of the great Mexican Empire, and begin his operations there. Now he found himself in the unpleasant situation of being forced either to submit to the threats of the natives or to inaugurate hostilities in an outlying province, which, even if they ended successfully, must cost at least time, and lives, of which he had few to spare. If he turned back, the Indians would certainly take it as a mark of cowardice and become more troublesome than ever. After considering this view of the situation, it seemed to him a conclusive reason for attacking them. As the approach of night prevented him from doing so at once, the assault was deferred until the next day, and the intervening night was devoted to the necessary preparations. [Illustration: _THE ENGAGEMENT BETWEEN THE SPANIARDS AND THE PEOPLE OF TABASCO_]