Origin of the Chiapanecs—They Submit to the Spaniards after the Mexican Conquest—But Rise in Arms when Required to Pay Tribute—Captain Luis Marin Undertakes the Conquest of the Province—His Battles with the Natives—The Panic-stricken Artillerymen—Capture of the Stronghold of Chiapas—The Chamulans Rise in Revolt—Their Fortress Besieged—Repulse of the Spaniards—Bernal Diaz in Peril—Flight and Surrender of the Chamulans—Marin Returns to Espíritu Santo—Second Revolt of the Chiapanecs—Their Subjugation by Diego de Mazariegos—Third Rebellion—Their Self-destruction—Pedro Puertocarrero in the Field—His Discomfiture—Founding of Villa Real—Juan Enriquez de Guzman Takes the Residencia of Mazariegos—His Maleadministration 213 CHAPTER XIV. THREATENED DESTRUCTION OF THE INDIES. 1526-1543. Decrease of Indian Population at the Isthmus—And in Honduras—Treatment of Spanish Allies in Guatemala—Torture and Butchery of Hostile Natives—Terror Inspired by Alvarado—Early Legislation—Its Non-observance—The New Laws—The Audiencia of Panamá Abolished—The Audiencia of Los Reyes and Los Confines Established—Disgust Caused by the New Code—The First Viceroy of Peru Arrives at the Isthmus—He Takes Charge of Treasure Acquired by Slave Labor—And Liberates a Number of Indians 232 CHAPTER XV. PANAMÁ AND PERU. 1538-1550. Administration of Doctor Robles—Interoceanic Communication—Proposed Change of the Site of Panamá—Nombre de Dios and its Trade—The Isthmus the Highway of Commerce between the Hemispheres—Vasco Nuñez Vela Lands in Peru—Gonzalo Pizarro at the Head of a Rebellion—Dissolution of the Audiencia of Los Reyes and Arrest of the Viceroy—His Release—His Defeat and Death at Añaquito—Gonzalo's Dreams of Conquest—He Despatches Bachicao to Panamá—Hinojosa's Expedition—His Bloodless Conquest of the Province—Melchor Verdugo's Invasion—Pedro de la Gasca—His Negotiations with the Revolutionists—Gasca Lands in Peru—Execution of Gonzalo Pizarro 245 CHAPTER XVI. REVOLT OF THE CONTRERAS BROTHERS. 1550. Cause of the Revolt—Preparations of the Conspirators—Assassination of Bishop Valdivieso—The Rebels Defeat the Men of Granada—Their Plan of Operations—The Expedition Sails for Natá—Gasca Arrives at the Isthmus with the King's Treasure—Capture of Panamá—Blunders of the Rebel Leaders—Hernando de Contreras Marches to Capira—He is Followed by his Lieutenant Bermejo—Gasca's Arrival at Nombre de Dios—Uprising of the Inhabitants of Panamá—Bermejo's Attack on the City—His Repulse—His Forces Annihilated—Fate of Hernando and his Followers 274 CHAPTER XVII.