Editing Spanish conquest of Yucatán (section)

====Avendaño's expedition, June 1695====
In May 1695, friar Antonio de Silva, the provincial superior of the [[Franciscans|Franciscan Order]] in Yucatán, had appointed two groups of [[Franciscans]] to head for [[Petén Basin|Petén]]; the first group was to join up with García de Parede's military expedition. The second group was to head for [[Lake Petén Itzá|Lake Petén Itza]] independently. This second group was headed by friar Andrés de Avendaño. Avendaño was accompanied by another friar, a lay brother, and six Christian Maya.<ref>Jones 1998, pp. 148, 150.</ref> This latter group left [[Mérida, Yucatán|Mérida]] on 2 June 1695.<ref>Jones 1998, pp. 130, 151–152.</ref> Avendaño continued south along the course of the new road, finding increasing evidence of Spanish military activity. The Franciscans overtook García de Paredes at Bʼukʼte, about {{convert|12|km|mi}} before Tzuktokʼ.<ref name="Jones1998p152">Jones 1998, p. 152.</ref> On 3 August García de Paredes advanced to Chunpich but tried to persuade Avendaño to stay behind to minister to the prisoners from Bʼukʼte. Avendaño instead split his group and left in secret with just four Christian Maya companions,<ref>Jones 1998, pp. 150, 154.</ref> seeking the Chunpich [[Kejache]] that had attacked one of García de Parede's advance companies and had now retreated into the forest.<ref>Jones 1998, pp. 154–155.</ref> He was unable to find the Kejache but did manage to get information regarding a path that led southwards to the [[Itzá Kingdom (1194–1697)|Itza kingdom]]. Avendaño returned to Tzuktokʼ and reconsidered his plans; the [[Franciscans]] were short of supplies, and the forcefully congregated Maya that they were charged with converting were disappearing back into the forest daily.<ref>Jones 1998, p.  155.</ref> Antonio de Silva ordered Avendaño to return to Mérida, and he arrived there on 17 September 1695.<ref>Jones 1998, p.  156.</ref> Meanwhile, the other group of Franciscans, led by Juan de San Buenaventura Chávez, continued following the roadbuilders into Kejache territory, through IxBʼam, Bʼatkabʼ and Chuntuki (modern Chuntunqui near [[Carmelita, Petén]]).<ref>Jones 1998, pp. 148, 157.<br>Quezada 2011, p. 23.<br>ITMB 1998.</ref>