writer has put it. The villages of the lower part of New Mexico had
these walls of circumvallation, but to the northward such walls
appear to have been rare.


Alarcon was now more than ever desirous of informing Coronado of his
whereabouts, and tried to persuade some of his men to go to Cibola
with a message, promising fine rewards. Only one, a negro slave, and
he with reluctance, offered to attempt the journey. Alarcon tried to
get the old man to give him guides and provisions, but without
success, as the old man seemed to desire to induce Alarcon to help
them fight their battles with the Cumanas, saying, if he would end
this war, he could have their company to Cibola. Alarcon was
determined to go, and sent a man back to the ships to inform those
there of his purpose, but he changed his mind soon after, concluding
to go to the ships himself and return, leaving there his sick, and
rearranging his company. The man who had been sent to the ships
overland was overtaken and brought back by the natives, but was
obliged to remain with them till Alarcon came up again. The descent
from here was made in two and a half days, though it had taken
fifteen to come up. Arriving at the ships all was found to have gone
well except a few minor accidents, and, directing repairs to be made,
Alarcon turned about and started up-river once more, first calling
the whole company together, telling them what he had learned of
Cibola, and that, as Coronado might now have been informed by natives
of his presence, he hoped to find means of reaching him. There was
much objection to this plan, but he proceeded to carry it out, taking
all three boats this time, loaded with "wares of exchange, with corn
and other seeds, with hens and cocks of Castile." This region he
called the Province of Campanna de la Cruz, and he left orders for