VIRGINIA richly valued Tracts and Other Papers, Relating Principally to the Origin, Settlement, and Progress of the Colonies in North America, from the Discovery of the Country to the Year 1776. Collected by Peter Force. Vol. IV.

VIRGINIA richly valued By the description of the main land of Florida, her next neighbour: Out of the foure yeeres continuall travel and dicoverie, fur above one thousand miles East and West, of Don Ferdinando de Soto, and sixe hundred able men in his companie. Wherin are truly observed the riches and fertilitie of those parts, abounding with things necessarie, pleasant, and profitable for the life of man: with the natures and dispositions of the Inhabitants.

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE, THE Right Worshipfull Counsellors, and others the cheerefull adventurors for the advancement of that Christian and noble plantation in VIRGINIA.

THis worke, right Honourable, right Worshipfull, and the rest, though small in shew, yet great in substance, doth yield much lifht to our enterprise now on foot: whether you desire to know the present and future commodities of our countrie; or the qualities and conditions of the Inhabitants, or what course is best to be taken with them.

Touching the commodities, besides the generall report of Cabeça de Vaca to Charles the Emperour (who first traveled through a great part of the Inland of Florida, next adjoyning upon our Virginia) That Florida was the richest countrie of the world; and, that after hee had found clothes made of cotton wooll, he say gold and silver, and stones of great value: I referr you first to the rich mines of gold reported to be in the province of Yupaha, and described in the twelfth Chapter of this Treatise to come within our limits: And again, to the copper hatchets found in Cutifachiqui, standing upon the River of Santa Helena, which were said to have a mixture of gold. It seemeth also that the last Chronicler of the West Indies, Antonio de Herrera, speaking of the foresaid River of Santa Helena, which standeth in 32. degrees and an halfe, alludeth to the province of Yupaha, in these words: Y el oro, y plata, que hallaron, no era de aquella tierra, sino de 60. leguas, adentro al norte, de los pueblos dichos Otapales y Olagatanos, adonde se intiende, que ay minas de oro, plata, y cobre. That is to say, That the gold and silver which they found, was not of that countrie (of Santa Helena) but 60. leagues distant toward the North, of the townes called Otapales and Olagatanos, where we understand that there mines of gold, silver, and copper. By which reckoning these rich mines are in the latitude of 35. degrees and an halfe. I desire you likewise to take knowledge of the famous golden province of Chisca, stretching further to the North, whereof the Cacique of Coste gave notice to Ferdinando de Soto in the towne of Chiaha, affirming, that there were mines of copper, and of another mettall of the same colour, save that it was finer, and of a farre more perfect lustre, and farre better in sight, and that they used it not so much, because it was softer. And the selfsame thing was before told the Governour in Cutifachiqui: who sent two Christians from Chiaha with certaine Indians which knew the countrie of Chisca, and the language thereof, to view it, and to make report of that which they should finde. We likewise reade not long after, that the Governour set forward to seeke a province called Pacaha, which hee was informed to be neere unto Chisca, where the Indians told him, that there was gold. And in another place hee saith; That from Pacaha hee sent thirtie horsemen and fiftie footmen to the province of Caluça, to see if from thence he might travell to Chisca, where the Indians said, there was a worke of gold and copper. So that here is foure times mention, and that in sundrie places, of the rich and famous golde mines of Chisca, and that they lie beyond the moutaines toward the North, over which they were not able to travell for the roughnes thereof. But what neede I to stand upon forren testimonies, since Master Thomas Heriot, a man of much judgement in these causes, signified unto you all, at your late solemne meeting at the house of the right honourable the Earle of Exeter, how to the Southwest of our old fort in Virginia, the Indians often informed him, that there was a great melting of red mettall, reporting the manner in working of the same. Besides, our owne Indians have lately revealed either this or another rich mine of copper or gold in a towne called Ritanoe, neere certaine mountains lying West of Roanoac.Chap. 15Chap. 23.Chap. 24.Chapt. 14.

Another very gainfull comoditie is, the huge quantitie of excellent perles, and little babies and birds made of them, that were found in Cutifachiqui. The abundance whereof is reported to be such, that if they would have searched divers graves in townes thereabout, they might have laded many of their horses. Neither are the Turkie stones and cotton wooll found at Guasco to be forgotten, nor passed over in silence.

But that, which I make no small account of, is, the multitude of Oxen, which, from the beginning of the 16. to the end of the 26. Chapter, are nine severall times made mention of, and that along from Chiaha, Coste, Pacaha, Coligoa, and Tulla, still toward the North, to wit, toward us, there was such store of them, that they could keepe no corne for them: and that the Indians lived upon their flesh. The haire of these Oxen is likewise said to be like a soft wooll, betweene the course and fine wooll of sheepe: and that they use them for coverlets, because they are very soft and woolled like sheep: and no so onely, but they make bootes, shooes, targets, and other things necessarie of the same. Besides the former benefits, their young ones may be framed to the yoke, for carting and tillage of our ground. And I am in good hope, that ere it be long we shall have notice of their being nearer us, by that which I reade in the Italian relation of Cabeça de Vaca, the first finder of them; which writeth, That they spread themselves within the countrie above foure hundred leagues. Moreover, Vasques de Coronado, and long after him, Antonio de Espejo (whose voyages are at large in my third volume) traveled many leagues among these heards of Oxen, and found them from 33. degrees ranging very farre to the North and Northeast.

A fourth chiefe commoditie wee may account to be the great number of Mulberrie trees, apt to feede Silke-wormes to make silke: whereof there was such plenty in many places, that, though they found some hempe in the countrie, the Spaniards made ropes of the barks of them for their brigandines, when they were to put to sea for Nova Hispania.

A fifth is the excellent and perfect colours, as black, white, greene, yellow, and red, and the materials to dye withall, so often spoken of in this discourse: among which I have some hope to bring you to the knowledge of the rich graine of Cochonillio, so much esteemed, and of so great price. I speake nothing of the severall sort of passing good grapes for Wine and Raisons.

Neither is it the least benefit, that they found salt made by the Indians at Cayas, and in two places of the province of Aguacay: the manner also how the Inhabitants make it, is very well worth the observation.Chap. 31. & 32.

One of the chiefest of all the rest may be the notice of the South Sea, leading us to Japan and China, which I finde here twice to be spoken of. Whereof long since I have written a discourse, which I thinke not fit to be made over common.Chap. 31. & 32.

For closing up this point, The distances of places, the qualities of the soiles, the situations of the regions, the diversities and goodnesse of the fruits, the severall sorts of beasts, the varietie of fowles, the difference betweene the Inhabitants of the mountains and the plaines, and the riches of the Inland in comparison of the Seacoast, are judicially set downe in the conclusion of this booke, whereunto for mine owne ease I referr you.

To come to the second generall head, which in the beginning I proposed, concerning the manner and dispositions of the Inhabitants: among other things, I finde them here noted to be very eloquent and well spoken, as the short Orations, interpreted by John Ortiz, which lived twelve yeeres among them, make sufficient proofe. And the author, which was a gentleman of Elvas in Portugall, employed in all the action, whose name is not set downe, speaking of the Cacique of Tulla, saith, that aswell this Cacique, as the others, and all those which came to the Governour on their behalfe, delivered their message or speech in so good order, that no Oratour could utter the same more eloquently. But for all their faire and cunning speeches, they are not overmuch to be trusted: for they be the greatest traitors of the world, as their manifold most craftie contrived and bloody treasons, here set down at large, doe evidently prove. They be also as unconstant as the weathercock, and most readie to take all occasions of advantages to doe mischiefe. They are great liars and dissemblers; for which faults often times they had their deserved paiments. And many times they gave good testimonie of their great valour and resolution. To handle them gently, while gentle courses may be found to serve, it will be without comparison the best: but if gentle polishing will not serve, then we shall not want hammerours and rough masons enow, I meane our old soldiours trained up in the Netherlands, to square and prepare them to our Preachers hands. To conclude, I trust by your Honours and Worships wise instructions to the noble Governour, the worthy experimented Lieutenant and Admirall, and other chiefe managers of the businesse, all things shall be so prudently carried, that the painfull Preachers shall be reverenced and cherished, the valiant and forward soldiour respected, the diligent rewarded, the coward emboldened, the weake and sick relieved, the mutinous suppressed, the reputation of the Christians among the Salvages preserved, our most holy faith exalted, all Paganisme and Idolatrie by little and little utterly extinguished. And here reposing and resting my selfe upon this sweete hope, I cease, beseeching the Almightie to blesse this good work in your hands to the honour and glorie of his most holy name, to the inlargement of the dominions of hs sacred Majestie, and to the generall good of all the worthie Adventurers and undertakers. From my lodging in the Colledge of Westminster this 15. of Aprill, 1609.

By one publickely and anciently devoted to Gods service, and all yours in this so good action,

A RELATION OF SUCH THINGS, AS DON FERDINANDO DE SOTO, The Adelantado of Florida passed in seeking to conquer the said Countrey: wherein is declared who he was; and what some of them were that went with him: and some particulars and diversities of the Countrie, and whatsoever they saw and happened unto them in the same.

Chap. I. Which declareth who Don Ferdinando de Soto was, and how he got the government of Florida.

Captaine Soto was the sone of a Squire of Xerez of Badaioz. He went into the Spanish Indies, when Peter Arias of Avila was Governour of the West Indies: And there he was without any thing else of his owne, save his sword and target: and for his good qualities and valour, Peter Arias made him Captaine of a troope of Horsemen, and by his commandement hee went with Fernando Pizarro to the conquest of Peru: where (as many persons of credit reported, which were there present) as well as the taking of Atabalipa, Lord of Peru, as at the assault of the citie of Cusco, and in all other places where they found resistance, wheresoever hee was present, hee passed all other Captaines and principall persons. For which cause, besides his part of the treasure of Atabalipa, he had a good share: whereby in time he gathered an hundred and foure-scoure thousand Duckets together, with that which fell to his part: which he brought into Spaine: whereof the Emperour borrowed a certaine part, which he repaied againe with 60000 Rials of plate in the rent of the silkes of Granada, and all the rest was delivered him in the Contractation house of Sivil. He tooke servants, to wit, a Steward, a Gentleman Usher, Pages, a Gentleman of the Horse, a Chamberlaine, Lakies, and al other officers that the house of a Noble man requireth. From Sivil hee went to the Court, and in the Court, there accompanied him John Danusco of Sivil, and Lewis Moscoso D'alvarado, Nunno de Tovar, and John Rodriguez Lobillo. Except John Danusco, all the rest came with him from Peru: and every one of them brought fourteene or fifteene thousand Duckets: all of them went well and costly appareled And although Soto of his owne nature was not liberall, yet because that was the first time that hee was to shew himselfe in the Court, he spent frankely, and went accompanied with those which I have named, and with his servants, and many other which resorted unto him. Hee married with Donna Isabella de Bovadilla, daughter of Peter Arias of Avila, Earle of Punno en Rostra. The Emperour made him the Governor of the Isle of Cuba, and Adelantado or President of Florida; with a title of Marques of certaine part of the lands, that he should conquer.

CHAP. II. How Cabeça de Vaca came to the Court, and gave relation of the Countrie of Florida: And of the Companie that was assembled in Sivil to goe with Don Ferdinando de Soto.

WHen Don Ferdinando had obtained the government, there came a Gentleman from the Indies to the Court, named Cabeça de Vaca, which had been with the Governor Pamphilo de Narvaez which died in Florida, who reported that Narvaez was cast away at sea with all the companie that went with him. And how he with foure more escaped and arrived in Nueva Espanna: Also he brought a relation in writing of that which hee had seene in Florida; which said in some places: In such a place I have seene this; and the rest which here I saw, leave to conferre of betweene his Majestie and my selfe. Generally he reported the miserie of the Countrie, and the troubles which hee passed: and hee told some of his kinsfolke, which were desirous to goe into the Indies, and urged him very much to tell them whether he had seene any rich country in Florida, that he might not tell them, because hee and another, whose name was Orantes, (who remained in Nueva Espanna with purpose to returne into Florida: for which intent hee came into Spaine to beg the government thereof of the Emperour) had sworne not to discover some of those things which they had seene, because no man should prevent them in begging the same: And hee informed them, That it was the richest Countrie of the world. Don Ferdinando de Soto was very desirous to have him with him, and made him a favourable offer: and after they were agreed, because Soto gave him not a summe of money which he demanded to buy a ship, they broke off againe. Baltasar de Gallegos, and Christopher de Spindola, the kinsemen of Cabeça de Vaca, told him, that for that which hee had imparted to them, they were resolved to passe with Soto into Florida, and therefore they prayed him to advise them what they were best to doe. Cabeça de Vaca told them, that the cause why he went not with Soto was, because hee hoped to beg another government, and that hee was loth to goe under the command of another: and that hee came to beg the conquest of Florida: but seeing Don Ferdinando de Soto had gotten it alreadie, for his othes sake hee might tell them nothing of that which they would know: but hee counselled them to sell their goods and goe with him and that in so doing they should doe well. Assoone as he had opportunitie hee spake with the Emperour, and related unto him whatsoever hee had passed and seene, and come to understand. Of this relation made by word of mouth to the Emperour, the Marques of Astorga had notice, and forthwith determined to send with Don Ferdinando de Soto his brother Don Antonio Osorio: & with him two kinsmen of his prepared themselves, to wit, Francis Osorio and Garcia Osorio. Don Antonio dispossessed himselfe of 60000 Rials of rent which hee held by the Church: and Francis Osorio of a towne of Vassals, which he had in the Countrie de Campos. And they made their Rendezvous with the Adelantado in Sivil. The like did Nunez de Tovar, and Lewis de Moscoso, and John Rodriguez Lobillo, each of whom had brought from Peru fourteene or fifteene thousand Duckets. Lewis de Moscoso carried with him two brethren: there went also Don Carlos, which had married the Governours Neece, and tooke her with him. From Badaioz there went Peter Calderan, and three kinsemen of the Adelantado, to wit, Arias Tinoco, Alfonso Romo, and Diego Tinoco, And as Lewis de Moscoso passed through Elvas, Andrew de Vasconcelos spake with him, and requested him to speake to Don Ferdinando de Soto concerning him, and delivered him certaine warrants which he had received from the Marques of Villa real, wherein he gave him the Captaineship of Ceuta in Barbarie, that he might shew them unto him. And the Adelantado saw them; and was informed who hee was, and wrote unto him, that hee would favor him in all things, and by al meanes, and would give him a charge of men in Florida. And from Elvas went Andrew de Vasconcelos, and Fernan Pegado, Antonio Martinez Segurado, Men Roiz Pereira, John Cordero, Stephen Pegado, Benedict Fernandez, and Alvaro Fernandez. And out of Salamanca, and Jaen, and Valencia, and Albuquerque, and from other partes of Spaine, many people of Noble birth assembled at Sivil: insomuch that in saint Lucar many men of good account which had sold their goods remained behind for want of shipping, wheras for other known and rich Countries, they are wont to want men: and this fell out by occasion of that which Cabeça de Vaca told the Emperour, and informed such persons as hee had conference withall touching the State of that Countrie. Soto made him great offers: and being agreed to goe with him (as I have said before) because he would not give him monie to pay for a ship, which he had bought, they brake off, & he went for Governour to the River of Plate. His kinsemen Christopher de Spindola, and Baltasar de Gallegos went with Soto. Baltasar de Gallegos sold houses and vineyards, and rent corne, and ninetie rankes of Olive trees in the Xarafe of Sivil: Hee had the office of Alcalde Mayor, and tooke his wife with him: And there went also many other persons of account with the President, and had the offices following by great friendship, because they were offices desired of many: to wit, Antonie de Biedma was Factor, John Danusco was Auditor, and John Gaytan nephew to the Cardinall of Ciguenza had the office of Treasurer.Florida is the richest Countrie of the world.Elvas is a citie in Portugal.Cabeça de Vaca was the Governour of the River of Plate.

CHAP. III. How the Portugales went to Sivil, and from thence to S. Lucar: he appointed Captaines over the ships, and distributed the people which were to goe in them.

THe Portugales departed from Elvas the 15. of Januarie, and came to Sivil the 19. of the same moneth, and went to the lodging of the Governor, and entred into a court, over the which were certaine galleries where hee was, who came downe and received them at the staires, whereby they went up into the galleries: when he was come up, he commanded chaires to be given them to sit on. And Andrew de Vasconcelos told him who hee and the other Portugales were, and how they all were come to accompany him, and serve him in his voyage. He gave him thanks, and made shew of great contentment for his comming and offer. And the table being alreadie laid he invited them to dinner. And being at dinner he commanded his steward to seeke a lodging for them neere unto his owne, where they might bee lodged. The Adelantado departed from Sivil to Saint Lucar with al the people which were to goe with him: And he commanded a muster to be made, at the which the Portugales shewed themselves armed in verie bright armour, and the Castellans very gallant with silke upon silke, with many pinkings and cuts. The Governour, because these bravaries in such an action did not like him, commanded that they should muster another day, and every one should come foorth with his armour: at the which the Portugales came as at the first armed with very good armour. The Governour placed them in order neere unto the standard which the ensigne-bearer carried. The Castellanes for the most part did weare very bad and rustie shirts of maile, and all of them headpeeces and steele cappes, and very bad lances. And some of them sought to come among the Portugales. So those passed and were counted and enroled, which Soto liked and accepted of, and did accompanie him into Florida; which were in all sixe hundred men. He had alreadie bought seven ships, and had all necessarie provision aboord them: He appointed Captaines, and delivered to every one his ship, and gave them in a role what people every one should carrie with them.Sixe hundred men went with Soto into Florida.

CHAP. IV. How the Adelantado with his people departed from Spaine, and came to the Canaries, and afterward to the Antiles.

IN the yeere of our Lord 1538. in the moneth of Aprill, the Adelantado delivered his shippes to the Captaines which were to goe in them: and tooke for himselfe a new ship, and good of saile, and gave another to Andrew de Vasconcelos, in which the Portugales went: hee went over the barre of S. Lucar on Sunday being S. Lazarus day, in the morning, of the moneth and yeere aforesaid, with great joy, commanding his trumpets to be sounded, and many shots of the ordinance to be discharged. Hee sailed foure daies with a prosperous wind; and suddenly it calmed: the calmes continued eight daies with swelling seas, in such wise, that wee made no way. The 15. day after his departure from S. Lucar, hee came to Gomera, one of the Canaries, on Easter day in the morning. The Earle of that Island was apparralled all in white, cloke, jerkin, hose, shooes, and cappe, so that hee seemed a Lord of the Gypses. He received the Governour with much joy: hee was well lodged, and all the rest had their lodgings gratis, and gat great store of victuals for their monie, as bread, wine and flesh: and they tooke what was needful for their ships: and the Sunday following, eight daies after their arrivall, they departed from the Isle of Gomera. The Earle gave to Donna Isabella the Adelantados wife a bastard daughter that hee had to bee her waiting maid. They arrived at the Antilles, in the Isle of Cuba, at the port of the City of Sant Iago upon Whit-sunday. Assone as they came thither, a Gentleman of the Citie sent to the sea side a very faire roan horse and well furnished for the Governour, and a mule for Donna Isabella: and all the horsemen and footemen that were in the towne came to receive him at the sea-side. The Governour was well lodged, visited, and served of all the inhabitants of that Citie, and all his companie had their lodgings freely: those which desired to goe into the countrie, were divided by foure and foure, and sixe and sixe in the farmes or granges, according to the abilitie of the owners of the farmes, and were furnished by them with all things necessary.

CHAP. V. Of the inhabitants which are in the Citie of S. Iago, and in the other townes of the Island: and of the qualitie of the soile, and fruites that it yeeldeth.

THe Citie of S. Iago hath fourescore houses which are great and well contrived. The most part have their walles made of bords, & are covered with thatch; it hath some houses builded with lime & stone, and covered with tiles. It hath great Orchards and many trees in them, differing from those of Spaine: there be figgetrees which beare figges as big as ones fist, yellow within, and of small taste; and other trees which beare a fruit which they call Ananes, in making and bignes like to a small Pineapple: it is a fruit very sweete in taste: the shel being taken away, the kernel is like a peece of fresh cheese. In the granges abroad in the countrie there are other great pineapples, which grow on low trees, and are like the * Aloetree: they are of a very good smell and exceeding good taste. Other trees do beare a fruit, which they call Mameis of the bignes of Peaches. This the Islanders do hold for the best fruit of the country. There is another fruit which they call Guayabas like Filberds, as bigge as figges. There are other trees as high as a javeline, having one only stocke without any bough, and the leaves as long as a casting dart: and the fruite is of the bignesse and fashion of a Cucumber, one bunch beareth 20. or 30. and as they ripen, the tree bendeth downeward with them: they are called in this countrie Plantanos; and are of a good taste, & ripen after they be gathered; but those are the better which ripen upon the tree it selfe; they beare fruite but once: and the tree being cut downe, there spring up others out of the but, which beare fruite the next yeere. There is another fruit; whereby many people are sustained, and chiefly the slaves, which are called Batatas. These grow now in the Isle of Terçera, belonging to the Kingdome of Portugal, and they grow within the earth, and are like a fruit called Iname, they have almost the taste of a chestnut. The bread of this countrie is also made of rootes which are like the Batatas. And the stocke whereon those rootes doe grow is like an Elder tree: they make their ground in little hillocks, and in each of them they thrust 4. or 5. stakes; and they gather the rootes a yeere and an halfe after they set them. If any one, thinking it is a Batata or Potato roote, chance to eate of it never so little, hee is in great danger of death: which was seene by experience in a souldier, which assone as hee had eaten a very little of one of those rootes, hee died quicklie. They pare these rootes and stampe them, and squese them in a thing like a presse: the juyce that commeth from them is of an evill smell. The bread is of little taste and lesse substance. Of the fruites of Spaine, there are Figges and Oranges, and they beare fruit all the yeere, because the soile is very ranke and fruitfull. In this countrie are many good horses, and there is greene grasse all the yeere. There be many wild oxen and hogges, whereby the people of the Island is well furnished with flesh: Without the townes abroad in the Countrie are many fruites. And it happeneth sometimes that a Christian goeth out of the way and is lost 15. or 20. daies, because of the many paths in the thicke groves that crosse to and fro made by the oxen: and being thus lost, they sustaine themselves with fruites and palmîtos: for there hee many great groves of Palme trees through all the Island: they yeeld no other fruite that is of any profit. The Isle of Cuba is 300. leagues long from the East to the West, and is in some places 30. in others 40. leagues from North to South. It hath 6. townes of Christians: to wit, S. Iago, Baracôa, Bayamo, Puerto de Principes, S. Espirito, and Havana. Every one hath betweene 30. and 40. households, except S. Iago and Havana, which have about 60. or 80. houses. They have Churches in each of them, and a Chaplen which confesseth them and saith Masse. In S. Iago is a Monasterie of Franciscan Friers: it hath but few Friers, and is well provided of almes, because the countrie is rich: The Church of S. Iago hath honest revenew, and there is a Curat and Prebends and many Priests, as the Church of that Citie, which is the chiefe of all the Island. There is in this countrie much gold, and few slaves to get it: For many have made away themselves, because of the Christians evill usage of them in the mines. A steward of Vasques Porcallo, which was an inhabitour in that Island, understanding that his slaves would make away themselves, stayed for them with a cudgill in his hand at the place where they were to meete, and told them, that they could neither doe nor thinke any thing, that hee did not know before; and that hee came thither to kill himselfe with them, to the end, that if hee had used them badly in this world, hee might use them worse in the world to come: And this was a meane that they changed their purpose, and turned home againe to do that which he commanded them.Great figges.Ananes.Great Pineapples.* Erva babosa.Mameis, an excellent fruit.Plantanos.Batatas, or Potatos.The Cassavi roote.Store of good horses.The length and breadth of Cuba.A wittie stratagem.

CHAP. VI. How the Governour sent Donna Isabella with the ships to Havana, and he with some of his people went thither by land.

THe Governour sent from S. Iago his Nephew Don Carlos with the ships in company of Donna Isabella to tarrie for him at Havana, which is an haven in the West part toward the head of the Island, 180. leagues from the Citie of Saint Iago. The Governour and those which stayed with him bought horses and proceeded on their journie. The first towne they came unto was Bayamo: they were lodged foure and foure, sixe and sixe, as they went in company, and where they lodged, they tooke nothing for their diet, for nothing cost them ought save the Maiz or corne for their horses, because the Governor went to visit them from towne to towne, and seased them in the tribute and service of the Indians. Bayamo is 25. leagues from the Citie of S. Iago. Neere unto the towne passeth a great River, which is called Tanto; it is greater then Guadiana, and in it be very great Crocodiles, which sometimes hurt the Indians, or the cattell which passeth the River. In all the countrie are neither Wolfe, Foxe, Beare, Lion, nor Tiger. There are wild dogges which goe from the houses into the woods and feed upon swine. There be certaine Snakes as bigge as a mans thigh or bigger, they are very slow, they doe no kind of hurt. From Bayamo to Puerto dellos principes are 50. leagues. In al the Island from towne to towne, the way is made by stubbing up the underwood: and if it be left but one yeere undone, the wood groweth so much, that the way cannot be seene, and the paths of the oxen are so many, that none can travell without an Indian of the Countrie for a guide: for all the rest is very hie and thicke woods. From Puerto dellos principes the Governour went to the house of Vasques Porcallo by sea in a bote, (for it was neere the sea) to know there some newes of Donna Isabella, which at that instant (as afterward was knowne) was in great distresse, in so much that the ships lost one another: and two of them fell on the coast of Florida, and all of them endured great want of water and victuals. When the storme was over, they met together, without knowing where they were: in the end they descried the Cape of S. Anton, a countrie not inhabited of the Island of Cuba: there they watered; and at the end of 40. daies, which were passed since their departure from the City of S. Iago, they arived at Havana. The Governour was presently informed thereof; and went to Donna Isabella. And those which went by land, which were one hundred and fiftie horsemen, being divided into two parts, because they would not oppresse the inhabitants, travelled by S. Espirito, which is 60. leagues from Puerto dellos principes. The food which they carried with them was Caçabe bread, which is that whereof I made mention before: and it is of such a qualitie, that if it be wet, it breaketh presently, whereby it happened to some to eate flesh without bread for many daies. They carried dogges with them, and a man of the Country, which did hunt; & by the way, or where they were to lodge that night, they killed as many hogges as they needed. In this journie they were well provided of beefe and porke: And they were greatly troubled with Muskitos, especially in a lake, which is called the mere of Pia, which they had much adoe to passe from noone till night, the water might be some halfe league over, and to be swome about a crossebow shot, the rest came to the waste, and they waded up to the knees in the mire, and in the bottome were cockle shels, which cut their feete very sore; in such sort, that there was neither boote nor shooe sole that was hole at halfe way. Their clothes and saddels were passed in baskets of Palme trees. Passing this lake, stripped out of their clothes, there came many muskitos, upon whose biting there arose a wheale that smarted very much: they strooke them with their hands, and with the blowe which they gave they killed so many, that the blood did runne downe the armes and bodies of the men. That night they rested very little for them, and other nights also in the like places and times. They came to Santo Espirito, which is a towne of thirtie houses; there passeth by it a little River: it is very pleasant and fruitfull, having great store of Oranges and citrons, and fruites of the Countrie: One halfe of the companie were lodged here, and the rest passed forward 25. leagues to another towne called la Trinidad of 15. or 20. households. Here is an hospital for the poore, and there is none other in all the Island. And they say, that this towne was the greatest in all the Countrie, and that before the Christians came into this land, as a ship passed along the coast, there came in it a very sicke man, which desired the Captaine to set him on shore: and the Captaine did so, and the ship went her way: The sicke man remained set on shore in that countrie, which untill then had not been haunted by Christians; whereupon the Indians found him, carried him home, and looked unto him till he was whole; and the Lord of that towne maried him unto a daughter of his, and had warre with all the inhabitants round about, and by the industrie and valour of the Christian, he subdued and brought under his command all the people of that Island. A great while after, the Governour Diego Velasques went to conquer it, and from thence discovered new Spaine: And this Christian which was with the Indians did pacifie them, and brought them to the obedience and subjection of the Governour. From this towne della Trinidad unto Havanaare 80. leagues, without any habitation, which they travelled. They came to Havana in the end of March; where they found the Governor, and the rest of the people which came with him from Spaine. The Governour sent from Havana John Dannusco with a caravele & two brigantines with 50. men to discover the haven of Florida: and from thence hee brought two Indians, which he tooke upon the coast, wherewith (aswell because they might be necessarie for guides and for interpretours, as because they said by signes that there was much gold in Florida) the Governour and all the companie received much contentment, and longed for the houre of their departure, thinking in himselfe that this was the richest Countrie, that unto that day had been discovered.Bayamo.Puerta dellos Principes.The Cape of S. Antonio.Santo Espirito.La Trinidad.Havana.

CHAP. VII. How we departed from Havana, and arived in Florida, and of such things as happened unto us.

BEfore our departure, the Governour deprived Nunno de Tovar of the office of Captaine Generall, and gave it to Porcallo de Figueroa, an inhabitant of Cuba, which was a meane that the shippes were well furnished with victuals: for he gave a great many loads of Casabe bread, and manie hogges. The Governour tooke away this office from Nonno de Tovar, because hee had fallen in love with the daughter of the Earle of Gomera, Donna Isabellas waighting maid, who, though his office were taken from him, (to returne againe to the Governours favour) though she were with child by him, yet tooke her to his wife, and went with Soto into Florida. The Governour left Donna Isabella in Havana; and with her remained the wife of Don Carlos, and the wives of Baltasar de Gallegos, and of Nonno de Tovar. And hee left for his Lieutenant a Gentleman of Havana, called John de Roias, for the government of the Island.

On Sunday the 18. of May, in the yeere of our Lord, 1539. the Adelantado or president departed from Havana in Cuba with his fleete, which were nine vessels, five great ships, two caravels, and two brigantines: They sailed seven daies with a prosperous wind. The 25. day of May, the day de Pasca de Spirito Santo, (which we call Whitson Sonday) they saw the land of Florida; because of the shoalds, they came to an anchor a league from the shore. On Friday the 30. of May they landed in Florida, two leagues from a towne of an Indian Lord, called Ucita. They set on land two hundred and thirteene horses, which they brought with them, to unburden the shippes, that they might draw the lesse water. Hee landed all his men, and only the sea men remained in the shippes, which in eight daies, going up with the tide every day a little, brought them up unto the towne. Assoone as the people were come on shore, hee pitched his campe on the sea side, hard upon the Bay which went up unto the towne. And presently the Captaine generall Vasques Porcallo with other 7. horsemen foraged the Countrie halfe a league round about, and found sixe Indians, which resisted him with their arrowes, which are the weapons which they use to fight withall: The horsemen killed two of them, and the other foure escaped; because the countrie is cumbersome with woods and bogs, where the horses stacke fast, and fell with their riders, because they were weake with travelling upon the sea. The same night following the Governour with an hundred men in the brigantines lighted upon a towne, which he found without people, because, that assoone as the Christians had sight of land, they were descried, and saw along the coast many smokes, which the Indians had made to give advice the one to the other. The next day Luys de Moscoso, Master of the Campe set the men in order, the horsemen in three squadrons, the Vantgard, the Batallion, and the Rerewarde: and so they marched that day and the day following, compassing great Creekes which came out of the Bay: They came to the towne of Ucita, where the Governour was, on Sunday the first of June, being Trinitie Sunday. The towne was of seven or eight houses. The Lordes house stoode neere the shore upon a very hie mount, made by hand for strength. At another end of the towne stood the Church, and on the top of it stood a fowle made of wood with gilded eies. Here were found some pearles of small valew, spoiled with the fire, which the Indians do pierce and string them like beades, and weare them about their neckes and handwrists, and they esteeme them very much. The houses were made of timber, and covered with Palme leaves. The Governour lodged himselfe in the Lords houses, and with him Vasques Porcallo, and Luys de Moscoso: and in others that were in the middest of the towne, was the chiefe Alcalde or Justice, Baltasar de Gallegos lodged; and in the same houses was set in a place by it selfe, al the provision that came in the ships: the other houses and the Church were broken down, and every three or foure souldiers made a little cabin wherein they lodged. The Countrie round about was very fennie, and encombred with great and hie trees. The Governor commanded to fel the woods a crossebow shot round about the towne, that the horses might runne, and the Christians might have the advantage of the Indians, if by chance they should set upon them by night. In the waies and places convenient, they had their Centinelles of footemen by two and two in every stand, which did watch by turnes, and the horsemen did visit them, and were readie to assist them, if there were any alarme. The Governour made foure Captaines of the horsemen, and two of the footemen. The Captaines of the horsemen were, one of them Andrew de Vasconcelos, and another Pedro Calderan de Badaoiz: and the other two were his kinsemen, to wit, Arias Timoco, and Alfonso Romo, borne likewise in Badaioz. The Captaines of the footemen, the one was Francisco Maldonado of Salamanca, and the other Juan Rodriguez Lobillo. While wee were in this towne of Ucita, the two Indians, which John Danusco had taken on that coast, and the Governor caried along with him for guides and interpretours, through carelessenes of two men, which had the charge of them, escaped away one night. For which the Governour and all the rest were very sorie, for they had alreadie made some roades, and no Indians could hee taken, because the countrie was full of marish grounds, and in many places full of very hie and thicke woods.May 18. 1539.This place was called Baya de Spirito Sancto, being on the West side of Florida, in 29. degrees, ½.The ships came up to the towne of Utica.The towne of Utica.June.Some perles found.

CHAP. VIII. Of some inrodes that were made into the Countrie: and how there was a Christian found, which had bin long time in the power of an Indian Lord.

FRom the towne of Ucita, the Governour sent the Alcalde Mayor, Baltasar de Gallegos with 40. horsemen and 80. footemen into the Countrie to see if they could take any Indians: and the Captaine John Rodriguez Lobillo another way with 50. footemen, the most of them were swordmen and targettours, and the rest were shot and crossebowmen. They passed through a countrie full of bogges, where horses could not travell. Halfe a league from the campe, they lighted upon certaine cabins of Indians neere a River: The people that were in them leaped into the River; yet they tooke foure Indian women: And twentie Indians charged us, and so distressed us, that wee were forced to retire to our campe, being, as they are, exceeding readie with their weapons. It is a people so warlike and so nimble, that they care not awhit for any footemen. For if their enemies charge them, they runne away, and if they turne their backs, they are presently upon them. And the thing that they most flee, is the shot of an arrow. They never stand still, but are alwaies running and traversing from one place to another: by reason whereof neither crossebow nor arcubuse can aime at them: and before one crossebowman can make one shot, an Indian will discharge three or foure arrowes; and he seldome misseth what hee shooteth at. An arrow, where it findeth no amour, pierceth as deepely as a crossebow. Their bowes are very long, and their arrowes are made of certaine canes like reedes, very heavie, & so strong, that a sharpe cane passeth thorow a target: Some they arme in the point with a sharpe bone of a fish like a chisel, and in others they fasten certaine stones like points of Diamants. For the most part when they light upon an armour, they breake in the place where they are bound together. Those of cane do split and pierce a coate of maile, and are more hurtfull then the other. John Rodriguez Lobillo returned to the Campe with sixe men wounded, whereof one died; and brought the foure Indian women, which Baltasar Gallegos had taken in the cabins or cotages. Two leagues from the towne, comming into the plaine field, he espied ten or eleven Indians, among whom was a Christian, which was naked, and scorched with the Sunne, and had his armes razed after the manner of the Indians, and differed nothing at all from them. And assoone as the horsemen saw them they ran toward them. The Indians fled, and some of them hid themselves in a wood, and they overtooke two or three of them, which were wounded: and the Christian, seeing an horseman runne upon him with his lance, began to crie out, Sirs, I am Christian, slay me not, nor these Indians, for they have saved my life. And straightway he called them, and put them out of feare, and they came foorth of the wood unto them. The horse men tooke both the Christian and the Indians up behind them; and toward night came into the Campe with much joy: which thing being knowne by the Governour, and them that remained in the Campe, they were received with the like.Certaine cabins of Indians.

CHAP. IX. How this Christian came to the land of Florida, and who he was: and what conference he had with the Governor.

THis Christians name was John Ortiz, and he was borne in Sivil of worshipful parentage. He was 12. yeeres in the hands of the Indians. He came into this Countrie with Pamphilo de Narvaez, and returned in the ships to the Island of Cuba, where the wife of the Governour Pamphilo de Narvaez was: and by his commandement with 20. or 30. other in a brigandine returned backe againe to Florida: and comming to the port in the sight of the towne, on the shore they saw a cane sticking in the ground, and riven at the top, and a letter in it: and they beleeved that the Governour had left it there to give advertisement of himselfe, when he resolved to goe up into the land: and they demanded it of foure or five Indians, which walked along the sea shore: and they bad them by signes to come on shore for it: which against the will of the rest John Ortiz and another did. And assoone as they were on land, from the houses of the towne issued a great number of Indians, which compassed them about, and tooke them in a place where they could not flee: and the other which sought to defend himselfe, they presentlie killed upon the place, and tooke John Ortiz alive, and carried him to Ucita their Lord. And those of the brigandine sought not to land, but put themselves to sea, and returned to the Island of Cuba. Ucita commanded to bind John Ortiz hand and foote upon foure stakes aloft upon a raft, and to make a fire under him, that there he might hee burned: But a daughter of his desired him that he would not put him to death, alleaging, that one only Christian could do him neither hurt nor good, telling him, that it was more for his honour to keepe him as a captive. And Ucita granted her request, and commanded him to be cured of his wounds: and assoone as he was whole, he gave him the charge of the keeping of the Temple: because that by night the wolves did cary away the dead corpses out of the same: who commended himselfe to God and tooke upon him the charge of his temple. One night the wolves gate from him the corpes of a little child, the sonne of a principal Indian; and going after them he threw a darte at one of the wolves and strooke him that carried away the corps, who feeling himselfe wounded, left it, and fell downe dead neere the place: and hee not woting what he had done, because it was night, went backe againe to the Temple: the morning being come, and finding not the bodie of the child, he was very sad. Assoone as Ucita knew thereof, he resolved to put him to death; and sent by the tract, which he said the wolves went, and found the bodie of the child, and the wolfe dead a little beyond: whereat Ucita was much contented with the Christian, and with the watch which hee kept in the Temple, and from thence forward esteemed him much. Three yeeres after hee fell into his hands, there came another Lord, calied Mocoço, who dwelleth two daies journy from the Port, and burned his towne. Ucita fled to another towne that he had in another sea port. Thus John Ortiz lost his office and favour that he had with him. These people being worshippers of the divell, are wont to offer up unto him the lives and blood of their Indians, or of any other people they can come by: and they report, that when he will have them doe that sacrifice unto him, he speaketh with them, and telleth them that he is athirst, and willeth them to sacrifice unto him. John Ortiz had notice by the damsell that had delivered him from the fire, how her father was determined to sacrifice him the day following, who willed him to flee to Mocoço: for shee knew that he would use him wel: for she heard say, that he had asked for him, and said hee would hee glad to see him: and because he knew not the way, she went with him halfe a league out of the towne by night, and set him in the way, and returned, because she would not be discovered. John Ortiz travailed all that night, and by the morning came unto a River, which is in the territorie of Mocoço: and there he saw two Indians fishing; and because they were in war with the people of Ucita, and their languages were different, and hee knew not the language of Mocoço, he was afraid, because he could not tell them who hee was, nor how hee came thither, nor was able to answer any thing for himselfe, that they would kill him, taking him for one of the Indians of Ucita, and before they espied him, he came to the place where they had laid their weapons: & assoone as they saw him, they fled toward the towne, and although he willed them to stay, because he meant to do them no hurt, yet they understood him not, and ran away as fast as ever they could. And assone as they came to the towne with great outcries, many Indians came forth against him, and began to compasse him to shoote at him: John Ortiz seeing himselfe in so great danger, sheilded himselfe with certaine trees, and began to shreeke out, and crie very loud, and to tell them that he was a Christian, and that he was fled from from Ucita, and was come to see and serve Mocoço his Lord. It pleased God that at that very instant there came thither an Indian that could speake the language and understood him; and pacified the rest; who told them what hee said. Then ran from thence three or foure Indians to beare the newes to their Lord: who came foorth a quarter of a league from the towne to receive him; and was very glad of him. He caused him presently to sweare according to the custome of the Christians, that hee would not run away from him to any other Lord: and promised him to entreate him very well; and that if at any time there came any Christians into that countrie, he would freely let him goe, and give him leave to goe to them: and likewise tooke his oth to performe the same according to the Indian custome. About three yeeres after certaine Indians, which were fishing at sea two leagues from the towne, brought newes to Mocoço that they had seene ships: and hee called John Ortiz, and gave him leave to go his way: who taking his leave of him, with all the haste he could came to the sea, and finding no ships, he thought it to be some deceit, and that the Cacique had done the same to learne his mind. So he dwelt with Mocoço nine yeeres, with small hope of seeing any Christians. Assoone as our Governor arrived in Florida, it was knowne to Mocoço, & straightway he signified to John Ortiz, that Christians were lodged in the towne of Ucita: And he thought he had jested with him, as hee had done before, and told him, that by this time he had forgotten the Christians, and thought of nothing else but to serve him. But he assured him that it was so, and gave him licence to goe unto them: saying unto him, that if hee would not doe it, and if the Christians should goe their way, he should not blame him, for hee had fulfilled that which he had promised him. The joy of John Ortiz was so great, that hee could not beleeve that it was true: notwithstanding he gave him thankes, and tooke his leave of him: and Mocoço gave him tenne or eleven principall Indians to beare him companie: and as they went to the port where the Governour was, they met with Baltasar de Gallegos, as I have declared before. Assoone as he was come to the campe, the Governour commanded to give him a sute of apparrell, and very good armour, and a faire horse; and enquired of him, whether hee had notice of any countrie, where there was any gold or silver? He answered, No, because he never went ten leagues compasse from the place where he dwelt: But that 30. leagues from thence dwelt an Indian Lord, which was called Paracossi, to whom Mocoço and Ucita, with al the rest of that coast paide tribute, and that hee peradventure might have notice of some good countrie: and that his land was better then that of the sea coast, and more fruitfull and plentifull of maiz. Whereof the Governour received great contentment: and said that he desired no more then to finde victuals, that hee might goe into the maine land, for the land of Florida, was so large, that in one place or other there could not chuse but bee some rich Countrie. The Cacique Mocoço came to the Port to visit the Governor, and made this speech following.John Oritz, lived 12. yeeres, among the Floridians of Utica and Mocoço.Mocoço dwelleth two daies journie from Ucita.A River.Mocoço his towne within 2. leagues of the sea.Paracossi 30. leagues from Puerto de Spirito Santo.

Right hie and mightie Lord, I being lesser in mine owne conceit for to obey you, then any of those which you have under your command; and greater in desire to doe you greater services, doe appeare before your Lordship with so much confidence of receiving favour, as if in effect this my good will were manifested unto you in workes: not for the small service I did unto you touching the Christian which I had in my power, in giving him freely his libertie, (For I was bound to doe it to preserve mine honour, and that which I had promised him:) but because it is the part of great men to use great magnificences: And I am perswaded, that as in bodily perfections, and commanding of good people, you doe exceede all men in the world, so likewise you doe in the parts of the minde, in which you may boast of the bountie of nature. The favour which I hope for of your Lordship is, that you would hold mee for yours, and bethinke your selfe to command me any thing, wherein I may doe you service.

The Governour answered him, That although in freeing and sending him the Christian, he had preserved his honour and promise, yet he thanked him, and held it in such esteeme, as it had no comparison; and that hee would alwaies hold him as his brother, and would favour all things to the utmost of his power. Then he commanded a shirt to be given him, and other things, wherewith the Cacique being verie well contented, tooke his leave of him, and departed to his owne towne.

CHAP. X. How the Governour sent the ships to Cuba: and left an hundred men at the Haven de Spirito Santo, and himself with the rest of his people went into the maine land.

FRom the Port de Spirito Santo where the Governour lay, he sent the Alcalde Mayor Baltasar de Gallégos with 50. horsemen, and 30. or 40. footemen to the province of Paracossi, to view the disposition of the countrie, and enforme himselfe of the land farther inward, and to send him word of such things as he found. Likewise he sent his shippes backe to the Island of Cuba, that they might returne within a certaine time with victuals. Vasques Porcallo de figueroa, which went with the Governour as Captaine Generall, (whose principall intent was to send slaves from Florida, to the Island of Cuba, where he had his goods and mines,) having made some inrodes, and seeing no Indians were to be got, because of the great bogs and woods that were in the Countrie, considering the disposition of the same, determined to returne to Cuba. And though there was some difference between him & the Governor, whereupon they neither dealt nor conversed together with good countenance, yet notwithstanding with loving words he asked him leave and departed from him. Baltasar de Gallêgos came to the Paracossi: There came to him 30. Indians from the Cacique, which was absent from his towne, and one of them made this speech:Paracossi.

Paracossi, the Lord of this province, whose vassals we are, sendeth us unto your worship, to know what it is that you seeke in this his Countrie, and wherein he may doe you service.

Baltasar de Gallegos said unto him, that hee thanked them very much for their offer, willing them to warne their Lord to come to his towne, and that there they would talke and confirme their peace and friendship, which he much desired. The Indians went their way, and returned the next day, and said, that their Lord was ill at ease, and therefore could not come, but that they came on his behalfe to see what he demanded. He asked them if they knew or had notice of any rich Countrie where there was gold or silver. They told them, they did: and that toward the West, there was a Province which was called Cale; and that others that inhabited other Countries bad warre with the people of that Countrie, where the most part of the yeere was sommer, and that there was much gold: and that when those their enemies came to make warre with them of Cale, these inhabitants of Cale did weare hats of gold, in manner of head peeces. Baltasar de Gallegos, seeing that the Cacique came not, thinking all that they said was fained, with intent that in the meane time they might set themselves in safetie, fearing, that if he did let them goe, they would returne no more, commanded the thirty Indians to be chained, and sent word to the Governour, by eight horsemen, what had passed: whereof the Governour with al that were with him, at the Port de Spirito Santo received great comfort, supposing, that that which the Indians reported, might be true. Hee left Captaine Calderan at the Port, with thirtie horsemen, and seventie footemen, with provision for two yeeres, and himselfe with all the rest marched into the maine land, and came to the Paracossi, at whose towne Baltasar de Gallegos was: and from thence with all his men tooke the way to Cale. He passed by a little towne, called Acela, and came to another, called Tocaste: and from thence hee went before with 30. horsemen, and 50. footemen toward Cale. And passing by a towne, whence the people were fled, they saw Indians a little from thence in a lake; to whom the Interpretour spake. They came unto them and gave them an Indian for a guide: and hee came to a River with a great current, and upon a tree, which was in the midst of it, was made a bridge, whereon the men passed: the horses swam over by a hawser, that they were pulled by from the otherside: for one, which they drove in at the first without it, was drowned. From thence the Governour sent two horsemen to his people that were behind, to make haste after him; because the way grew long, and their victuals short. Hee came to Cale, and found the towne without people. Hee tooke three Indians which were spies, and tarried there for his people that came after, which were sore vexed with hunger and evill waies, because the Countries was very barren of Maiz, low, and full of water, bogs, and thicke woods; and the victuals, which they brought with them from the Port de Spirito Santo, were spent. Wheresoever any towne was found, there were some beetes, and hee that came first gathered them, and sodden with water and salt, did eate them without any other thing: and such as could not get them, gathered the stalkes of Maiz and eate them, which because they were young had no Maiz in them, when they came to the River which the Governour had passed, they found palmîtos upon low Palmetrees like those of Andaluzia. There they met with the two horsemen which the Governour sent unto them, and they brought newes that in Cale there was plentie of Maiz; at which newes they all rejoyced. Assoone as they came to Cale, the Governour commanded them to gather all the Maiz that was ripe in the field, which was sufficient for three moneths. At the gathering of it the Indians killed three Christians, and one of them which were taken told the Governour, that within seven daies journie, there was a very great Province, and plentifull of Maiz, which was called Apalache. And presently hee departed from Cale with 50. horsemen, and 60. footemen. He left the master of the Campe Luys de Moscoso with all the rest of the people there, with charge that hee should not depart thence untill he had word from him. And because hitherto none had gotten any slaves, the bread that every one was to eate, he was faine himselfe to beate in a morter made in a peece of timber with a pestle, and some of them did sift the flower through their shirts of maile. They baked their bread upon certaine tileshares which they set over the fire, in such sort as heretofore I have said they use to doe in Cuba. It is so troublesome to grind their Maiz, that there were many that would rather not eate it, then grind it: and did eate the Maiz parched and sodden.Paracossi.Acela.Tocaste.Another towne.A Lake.A swift River.Cale.

CHAP. XI. How the Governour came to Caliquen, and carrying from thence the Cacique with him went to Napetuca, where the Indians sought to have taken him from him, and in an assault many of them were slaine, and taken prisoners.

THe II. day of August 1539. the Governour departed from Cale; hee lodged in a little town called Ytara, and the next day. in another called Potano, and the third day at Utinama, and came to another towne, which they named the Evil peace; because an Indian came in peace saying, That he was the Cacique, and that he with his people would serve the Governour, and that if he would set free 28. persons, men and women, which his men had taken the night before, he would command provision to be brought him, and would give him a guide to instruct him in his way: The Governour commanded them to be set at libertie, and to keepe him in safegard. The next day in the morning there came many Indians, and set themselves round about the towne neere to a wood. The Indian wished them to carrie him neere them; and that he would speake unto them, and assure them, and that they would doe whatsoever hee commanded them. And when he saw himselfe neere unto them he brake from them, and ran away so swiftly from the Christians, that there was none that could overtake him, and all of them fled into the woods. The Governour commanded to loose a grayhound, which was alreadie fleshed on them, which passing by many other Indians, caught the counterfait Cacique, which had escaped from the Christians, and held him till they came to take him. From thence the Governour lodged at a towne called Cholupaha: and because it a store of Maiz in it, they named it Villa farta. Beyond the same there was a River, on which he made a bridge of timber, and travelled two daies through a desert, The 17. of August, he came to Caliquen, where he was informed of the Province of Apalache: They told him that Pamphilo de Narvaez had bin there, and that there hee tooke shipping, because hee could find no way to goe forward: That there was none other towne at al; but that on both sides was all water. The whole companie were very sad for these newes; and counselled the Governour to goe backe to the Port de Spirito Santo, and to abandon the Countrie of Florida, lest hee should perish as Narvaez had done: declaring, that if he went forward, he could not returne backe when he would, and that the Indians would gather up that small quantitie of Maiz which was left. Whereunto the Governour answered, that he would not go backe, till he had seene with his eies that which they reported: saying, that he could not beleeve it, and that wee should be put out of doubt before it were long. And he sent to Luys de Moscoso to come presently from Cale, and that he tarried for him here. Luys de Moscoso and many others thought, that from Apalache they should returne backe; and in Cale they buried their yron tooles, and divers other things. They came to Caliquen with great trouble; because the Countrie, which the Governor had passed by, was spoiled and destitute of Maiz. After all the people were come together, hee commanded a bridge to hee made over a River that passed neere the towne. Hee departed from Caliquen the 10. of September, and carried the Cacique with him. After hee had travelled three daies, there came Indians peaceably, to visit their Lord, and every day met us on the way playing upon flutes: which is a token that they use, that men may know that they come in peace. They said, that in our way before there was a Cacique, whose name was Uzachil, a kinseman of the Cacique of Caliquen their Lord, waiting for him with many presents, and they desired the Governor that he would loose the Cacique. But he would not, fearing that they would rise, and would not give him any guides, & sent them away from day to day with good words. He travelled five daies, he passed bysome smal townes, he came to a towne called Napetuca, the 15. day of September. Thither came 14. or 15. Indians, and besought the Governor to let loose the Cacique of Caliquen their Lord. He answered them that he held him not in prison, but that hee would have him to accompanie him to Uzachil. The Governour had notice by John Ortiz, that an Indian told him how they determined to gather themselves together, and come upon him, and give him battell, and take away the Cacique from him. The day that it was agreed upon, the Governour commanded his men to bee in a readines, and that the horsemen should bee readie armed and on horsebacke every one in his lodging, because the Indians might not see them, and so more confidently come to the towne. There came four hundred Indians in sight of the campe with their bowes and arrowes, and placed themselves in a wood, and sent two Indians to bid the Governour to deliver them the Cacique. The Governour with sixe footemen leading the Cacique by the hand, and talk with him, to secure the Indians, went toward the place where they were: And seeing a fit time, commanded to sound a trumpet: and presently those that were in the towne in the houses, both horse and foot, set upon the Indians, which were so suddenly assaulted, that the greatest care they had was which way they should flee: They killed two horses; one was the Governours, and hee was presently horsed againe upon another. There were 30. or 40. Indians slaine. The rest fled to two very great lakes, that were somewhat distant the one from the other: There they were swimming, and the Christians round about them. The calievermen and crossebowmen shot at them from the banke; but the distance being great, and shooting afarre off, they did them no hurt. The Governour commanded that the same night they should compasse one of the lakes, because they were so great, that there were not men enow to compasse them both; being beset, assoone as night shut in, the Indians, with determination to runne away, came swimming very softly to the banke; and to hide themselves, they put a water lilie leafe on their heads. The horsemen assoone as they perceived it to stirre, ran into the water to the horses breasts, and the Indians fled againe into the lake. So this night passed with any rest on both sides. John Ortiz perswaded them, that seeing they could not escape, they should yeeld themselves to the Governour: which they did, enforced thereunto by the coldnes of the water; and one by one, hee first whom the cold did first overcome, cried to John Ortiz, desiring that they would not kill him, for he came to put himselfe into the hands of the Governour. By the morning watch they made an end of yeelding themselves: only 12. principall men, being more honorable and valorous then the rest, resolved rather to die then to come into his hands. And the Indians of Paracossi, which were now loosed out of chaines, went swimming to them, and pulled them out by the haire of their heads, and they were all put in chaines; and the next day were divided among the Christians for their service. Being thus in captivitie, they determined to rebel; and gave in charge to an Indian, which was interpretour, and held to be valiant, that assoone as the Governour did come to speake with him, hee should cast his hands about his necke, and choke him: Who, when he saw opportunitie, laid hands on the Governour, and before he cast his hands about his necke, he gave him such a blow on the nostrils, that hee made them gush out with blood, and presently all the rest did rise. He that could get any weapons at hand, or the handle wherewith he did grind the Maiz, sought to kill his master, or the first hee met before him: and hee that could get a lance or sword at hand, bestirred himselfe in such sort with it, as though he had used it all his life time. One Indian in the market place enclosed betweene 15. or 20. footemen, made a way like a bull with a sword in his hand, till certaine halbardiers of the Governour came, which killed him. Another gat up with a lance to a loft made of canes, which they build to keepe their Maiz in, which they call a Barbacoa, and there hee made such a noise, as though tenne men had been there defending the doore: they slew him with a partisan. The Indians were in all about two hundred men. They were all subdued. And some of the youngest the Governour gave to them which had good chaines, and were carefull to looke to them that they gat not away. Al the rest he commanded to be put to death, being tied to a stake in the midst of the market place: and the Indians of the Paracossi did shoote them to death.Ytara.Potano.Utinama.The towne of Evill peace.Cholupaha.A River.Caliquen.A River.Some small townes.Napetuca.Two very great lakes.A new conspiracie.Two hundred Indians taken.

CHAP. XII. How the Governour came to Apalache, and was informed, that within the land, there was much gold.

THe Governour departed from Napetuca the 23. of September: he lodged by a River, where two Indians brought him a buck from the Cacique of Uzachil. The next day he passed by a great towne called Hapaluya; and lodged at Uzachil, and found no people in it, because they durst not tarrie for the notice the Indians had of the slaughter of Napetuca. He found in that towne great store of Maiz, french beanes, and pompions, which is their foode, and that wherewith the Christians there sustained themselves. The Maiz is like course millet, and the pompions are better and more savorie then those of Spaine. From thence the Governour sent two Captaines each a sundry way to seeke the Indians. They tooke an hundred men and women: of which aswel there as in other places where they made any inrodes, the Captaine chose one or two for the Governour, and divided the rest to himselfe, and those that went with him. They led these Indians in chaines with yron collars about their neckes; and they served to carrie their stuffe, and to grind their Maiz, and for other services that such captives could doe. Sometimes it happened that going for wood or Maiz with them, they killed the Christian that led them, and ran away with the chaine: others filed their chaines by night with a peece of stone, wherewith they cut them, and use it in stead of yron. Those that were perceived paid for themselves, and for the rest, because they should not dare to doe the like another time. The women and young boyes, when they were once an hundred leagues from their Countrie, and had forgotten things, they let goe loose, and so they served; and in a very short space they understood the language of the Christians. From Uzachil the Governour departed toward Apalache, and in two daies journie, hee came to a towne called Axille, and from thence forward the Indians were carelesse, because they had as yet no notice of the Christians. The next day in the morning, the first of October, he departed from thence, and commanded a bridge to bee made over a River which hee was to passe. The deepe of the River where the bridge was made, was a stones cast, and forward a crossebow shot the water came to the waste; and the wood, whereby the Indians came to see if they could defend the passage, and disturbe those which made the bridge, was very hie and thicke. The crossebow men so bestirred themselves that they made them give back: and certain plancks were cast into the River, whereon the men passed, which made good the passage. The Governor passed upon Wednesday, which was S. Francis his day, and lodged at a towne which was called Vitachuco, subject to Apalache: he found it burning; for the Indians had set it on fire. From thence forward the countrie was much inhabited, and had great store of Maiz. Hee passed by many granges like hamlets. On Sunday the 25. of October, he came to a towne, which is called Uzela, and upon Tuesday to Anaica Apalache, where the Lord of all that Countrie and Province was resident: in which towne the Campemaster, whose office is to quarter out, and lodge men, did lodge all the companie round about within a league, and halfe a league of it. There were other townes, where was great store of Maiz, Pompions, French Beanes, and Plummes of the Countrie, which are better then those of Spaine, and they grow in the fields without planting. The victuals that were thought necessarie to passe the winter, were gathered from these townes to Anaica Apalache. The Governour was informed, that the sea was ten leagues from thence. Hee presently sent a Captaine thither with horsemen and footemen: And sixe leagues on the way, he found a towne, which was named Ochete, and so came to the sea; and found a great tree felled, and cut into peeces, with stakes set up like mangers, and saw the skulles of horses. Hee returned with this newes. And that was held for certaine, which was reported of Pamphilo de Narvaez, that there hee had builded the barkes wherewith he went out of the land of Florida, and was cast away at Sea. Presently the Governour sent John Danusco with 30. horsemen to the port de Spiritu Santo, where Calderan was, with order, that they should abandon the port, and all of them come to Apalache. He departed on Saturday the 17. of November. In Uzachil and other townes that stood in the way he found great store of people alreadie carelesse. Hee would take none of the Indians, for not hindring himselfe, because it behooved him to give them no leasure to gather themselves together. He passed through the townes by night, and rested without the townes three or foure houres. In tenne daies he came to the Port de Spirito Santo. He carried with him 20. Indian women, which he tooke in Ytara, and Potano, neere unto Cale, and sent them to Donna Isabella in the two caravels, which hee sent from the Port de Spirito Santo to Cuba. And he carried all the footemen in the brigandines, and coasting along the shore, came to Apalache. And Calderan with the horsemen, and some crossebowmen on foote went by land; and in some places the Indians set upon him, and wounded some of his men. Assoone as he came to Apalache; presently the Governour sent sawed plankes and spikes to the seaside, wherewith was made a piragua or barke, wherein were embarked 30. men well armed; which went out of the Bay to the Sea, looking for the brigandines. Sometimes they fought with the Indians, which passed along the harbour in their canoes. Upon Saturday the 29. of November, there came an Indian through the Watch undiscovered, and set the towne on fire, and with the great wind that blew, two parts of it were consumed in a short time. On Sonday the 28. of December came John Danusco with the brigandines. The Governour sent Francisco Maldonado a Captaine of footemen with 50. men to discover the coast Westward, and to seeke some Port, because he had determined to go by land, and discover that part. That day there went out eight horsemen by commandement of the Governor into the field, two leagues about the towne to seeke Indians: for they were now so emboldened, that within two crossebow shot of the camp, they came and slew men. They found two men and a woman gathering French Beanes: the men, though they might have fled, yet because they would not leave the woman, which was one of their wives, they resolved to die fighting: and before they were slaine, they wounded three horses, whereof one died within a few daies after. Calderan going with his men by the Sea-coast, from a wood that was neere the place, the Indians set upon him, and made him forsake his way, and many of them that went with him forsooke some necessarie victuals, which they carried with them. Three or foure daies after the limited time given by the Governour to Maldonado for his going and comming, being alreadie determined and resolved, if within eight daies he did not come, to tarrie no longer for him, he came, and brought an Indian from a Province, which was called Ochus, sixtie leagues Westward from Apalache; where he had found a good Port of good depth and defense against weather. And because the Governor hoped to find a good countrie forward, he was very well contented. And he sent Maldonado for victuals to Havana, with order, that he should tarrie for him at the Port of Ochus, which hee had discovered, for hee would goe seeke it by land: and if he should chance to stay, and not come thither that summer, that then hee should returne to Havana, and should come againe the next summer after, and tarrie for him at that port: for hee said hee would doe none other thing but goe to seeke Ochus. Francisco Maldonado departed, and in his place for Captaine of the footemen remained John de Guzman. Of those Indians which were taken in Napetuca, the treasurer John Gaytan had a young man, which said, that he was not of that Countrie, but of another farre off toward the Sunrising, and that it was long since he had travelled to see Countries; and that his Countrie was called Yupaha, and that a woman did governe it: and that the towne where she was resident was of a wonderfull bignesse, and that many Lords round about were tributaries to her: and some gave her clothes, and others gold in abundance: and hee told, how it was taken out of the mines, and was moulten and refined, as if hee had seene it done, or the divel had taught it him. So that all those which knew any thing concerning the same, said that it was impossible to give so good a relation, without having seene it: And all of them, as if they had seene it, by the signes that he gave, beleeved all that he said to be true.A River.Hapaluya a great towne.Uzachil.Axille.A River.Vitachoco.October 25.Uzela.Anaica-Apalache.Apalache within 10. leagues of the sea.Ochete.The sea.The Port de Spiritu Santo tenne daies journie from Aapalache.Novem. 28.Ochus 60. leagues West of Apalache.Chap. 11.Abundance of gold.

CHAP. XIII. How the Governour departed from Apalache to seeke Yupaha, and of that which happened unto him.

ON Wedensday the third of March, of the yeere 1540. the Governor departed from Anaica Apalache to seeke Yupaha. He commanded his men to goe provided with Maiz for sixtie leagues of desert. The horsemen carried their Maiz on their horses, and the footemen at their sides: because the Indians that were for service, with their miserable life that they lead that winter, being naked and in chaines, died for the most part. Within four daies journie they came to a great River: and they made a piragua or ferrie bote, and because of the great current, they made a cable with chaines, which they fastened on both sides of the River; and the ferrie bote went along by it; and the horses swam over, being drawne with capstans. Having passed the River, in a day and an halfe, they came to a towne called Capachiqui. Upon Friday, the 11. of March, they found Indians in armes. The next day five Christians went to seeke morters, which the Indians have to beate their Maiz, and they went to certaine houses on the backside of the Campe environed with a wood: And within the wood were many Indians which came to spie us; of the which came other five and set upon us. One of the Christians came running away, giving an alarme unto the Campe. Those which were most readie answered the alarme. They found one Christian dead, and three sore wounded. The Indians fled unto a lake adjoyning neere a very thicke wood, where the horses could not enter. The Governour departed from Capachiqui, and passed through a desert. On Wednesday the 21. of the moneth he came to a towne called Toalli: And from thence forward there was a difference in the houses. For those which were behind us were thatched with straw, and those of Toalli were covered with reeds, in manner of tiles. These houses are verie cleanly. Some of them had walles daubed with clay, which shewed like a mudwall. In all the cold Countrie the Indians have every one a house for the winter daubed with clay within and without, and the doore is very little: they shut it by night, and make fire within; so that they are in it as warme as in a stove: and so it continueth all night that they need not clothes: and besides these, they have others for summer; and their kitchins neere them, where they make fire and bake their bread: and they have barbacoas wherein they keepe their Maiz; which is an house set up in the aire upon foure stakes, boorded about like a chamber, and the floore of it is of cane hurdles. The difference which Lords or principall mens houses have from the rest, besides they be greater, is, that they have great galleries in their fronts, and under them seates made of canes in manner of benches: and round about them they have many lofts, wherein they lay up that which the Indians doe give them for tribute, which is Maiz, Deeres skins, and mantles of the Countrie, which are like blankets: they make them of the inner rinde of the barkes of trees, and some of a kind of grasse like unto nettles, which being beaten, is like unto flaxe. The women cover themselves with these mantles; they put one about them from the wast downeward; and another over their shoulder, with their right arme out, like unto the Egyptians. The men weare but one mantle upon their shoulders after the same manner: and have their secrets hid with a Deeres skin, made like a linen breech, which was wont to be used in Spaine. The skins are well corried, and they give them what colour they list, so perfect, that if it be red, it seemeth a very fine cloth in graine, and the blacke is most fine: and of the same leather they make shooes; and they die their mantles in the same colours. The Governour departed from Toalli the 24. of March: he came on Thursday at evening to a small River, where a bridge was made whereon the people passed, and Benit Fernandez a Portugall fell off from it, and was drowned. Assoone as the Governour had passed the River, a little distance thence he found a towne called Achese. The Indians had no notice of the Christians: they leaped into a River: some men and women were taken; among which was one that understood the youth which guided the Governour to Yupaha: whereby that which he had reported was more confirmed. For they had passed through Countries of divers languages, and some which he understood not. The Governour sent by one of the Indians that were taken to call the Cacique, which was on the other side of the River. Hee came and made this speech following:March the 3. 1540.A great River.Capachiqui.Toalli.A grasse like flaxe.Excellent colours.A small River.Achese.

Right high, right mightie, and excellent Lord, those things which seldome happen doe cause admiration. What then may the sight of your Lordship, and your people doe to mee and mine, whom we never saw? especially being mounted on such fierce beasts as your horses are, entring with such violence and furie into my Countrie, without my knowledge of your comming. It was a thing so strange, and caused such feare and terrour in our mindes, that it was not in our power to stay and receive your Lordship with the solemnitie due to so high and renowned a Prince, as your Lordship is. And trusting in your greatnesse and singular vertues, I doe not onely hope to be freed from blame, but also to receive favors: and the first which I demand of your Lordship is, that you will use me, my Countrie, and subjects as your owne: and the second, that you will tell mee who you are, and whence you come, and whither you goe, and what you seeke, that I the better may serve you therein.

The Governour answered him, that hee thanked him as much for his offer and good will, as if hee had received it, and as if hee had offered him a great treasure: and told him that he was the sonne of the Sun, and came from those parts where he dwelt, and travelled through that Countrie, and sought the greatest Lord, and richest Province that was in it. The Cacique told him; that farther forward dwelt a great Lord, and that his dominion was called Ocute. Hee gave him a guide, and an interpretour for that Province. The Governour commanded his Indians to bee set free, and travelled through his Countrie up a River very well inhabited. He departed from his towne the first of Aprill; and left a very high crosse of Wood set up in the middest of the market place: and because the time gave no more leasure, hee declared to him onely, that that crosse was a memorie of the same, whereon Christ, which was God and man, and created the heavens and the earth, suffered for our salvation: therefore he exhorted them that they should reverence it: and they made shew as though they would doe so. The fourth of Aprill the Governour passed by a towne called Altamaca, and the 10. of the moneth he came to Ocute. The Cacique sent him two thousand Indians with a present, to wit, many conies, and partriges, bread of Maiz, two hens, and many dogs: which among the Christians were esteemed as if they had been fat wethers, because of the great want of fleshmeate and salt, and hereof in many places, and many times was great need; and they were so scarse, that if a man fell sicke, there was nothing to cherish him withall: and with a sicknesse, that in another place easilie might have been remedied, he consumed away till nothing but skinne and bones were left: and they died of pure weaknes, some of them saying, If I had a slice of meate, or a few cornes of salt, I should not die. The Indians want no fleshmeat: for they kill with their arrowes many deere, hennes, conies, and other wild fowle: for they are very cunning at it: which skill the Christians had not: and though they had it, they had no leasure to use it: for the most of the time they spent in travell, and durst not presume to straggle aside. And because they were thus scanted of flesh, when sixe hundred men that went with Soto, came to any towne, and found 30. or 40. dogs, he that could get one and kill it, thought himselfe no small man: and he that killed it, and gave not his Captaine one quarter, if he knew it, he frowned on him, and made him feele it, in the watches, or in any other matter of labour that was offered, wherein hee might doe him a displeasure. On Monday the 12. of Aprill, the Governour departed from Ocute: The Cacique gave him two hundred Tamenes, to wit, Indians to carrie burdens: hee passed through a towne, the Lord whereof was named Cofaqui, and came to a province of an Indian Lord, called Patofa, who, because he was in peace with the Lord of Ocute, and with the other bordering Lords, had many daies before notice of the Governour, and desired to see him: He came to visit him, and made this speech following.A River very well inhabited.Altamaca.Ocute.Conies, Partriges, Henns, Dogges.Cafaqui.Patofa.

Mightie Lord, now with good reason I will crave of fortune to requite this my so great prosperitie with some small adversitie; and I will count my selfe verie rich, seeing I have obtained that, which in this world I most desired, which is, to see, and bee able to doe your Lordship some service. And althoough the tongue bee the image of that which is in the heart, and that the contentment which I feele in my heart I cannot dissemble, yet is it not sufficient wholly to manifest the same. Where did this your Countrie, which I doe governe, deserve to be visited of so soveraigne, and so excellent a Prince, whom all the rest of the world ought to obey and serve? And those which inhabit it being so base, what shall bee the issue of such happines, if their memorie doe not represent unto them some adversitie that may betide them, according to the order of fortune? If from this day forward we may be capable of this benefit, that your Lordship will hold us for your owne, we cannot faile to be favoured and maintained in true justice and reason, and to have the name of men. For such as are void of reason and justice, may hee compared to brute beasts. For mine owne part, from my very heart with reverence due to such a Prince, I offer my selfe unto your Lordship, & beseech you; that in reward of this my true good will, you will vouchsafe to make use of mine owne person, my Countrie, and subjects.

The Governour answered him, that his offers and good wil declared by the effect, did highly please him, whereof he would alwaies be mindfull to honour and favour him as his brother. This Countrie, from the first peaceable Cacique, unto the Province of Patofa, which were fiftie leagues, is a fat Countrie, beautifull, and very fruitfull, and very well watered, and full of good Rivers. And from thence to the Port de Spirito Santo, where wee first arived in the land of Florida, (which may bee 350. leagues, little more or lesse) is a barren land, and the most of it groves of wild Pinetrees, low and full of lakes, and in some places very hie and thicke groves, whither the Indians that were in armes fled, so that no man could find them, neither could any horses enter into them. Which was an inconvenience to the Christians, in regard of the victuals which they found conveied away; and of the trouble which they had in seeking of Indians to bee their guides.An excellent Countrie for 50. leagues.

CHAP. XIIII. How the Governour departed from the Province of Patofa, and went through a desert, where he and all his men fell into great distresse, and extreme miserie.

IN the towne of Patofa the youth, which the Governour carried with him for an interpretour and a guide, began to fome at the mouth, and tumble on the ground, as one possessed with the divell: They said a Gospell over him; and the fit left him. And he said, that foure daies journie from thence toward the Sunne rising, was the province that he spake of. The Indians of Patofa said, that toward that part they knew no habitation; but that toward the Northwest, they knew a Province which was called Coça, a verie plentifull countrie, which had very great townes in it. The Cacique told the Governour, that if he would go thither, he would give him guides and Indians for burdens; and if he would goe whither the youth spake of, that he would likewise give him those that he needed: and so with loving words and offers of courtesie, they tooke their leaves the one of the other. He gave him seven hundred Indians to beare burdens. Hee tooke Maiz for four daies journie. Hee travelled sixe daies by a path which grew narrow more and more, till it was lost altogether: He went where the youth did lead him, and passed two Rivers which were waded: each of them was two crossebowshot over: the water came to the stirrops, and had so great a current, that it was needfull for the horsemen to stand one before another, that the footemen might passe above them leaning unto them. He came to another River of a greater current and largenes, which was passed with more trouble, because the horses did swim at the comming out about a lances length. Having passed this River, the Governor came to a grove of pinetrees, and threatned the youth, and made as though hee would have cast him to the dogges, because he had told him a lie, saying, it was but four daies journie, and they had traveled nine, and every day 7. or 8. leagues, and the men by this time were growne wearie and weake, and the horses leane through the great scanting of the Maiz. The youth said, that hee knew not where hee was. It saved him that he was not cast to the dogges, that there was never another whom John Ortiz did understand. The Governour with them two, and with some horsemen and footemen, leaving the Campe in a grove of pinetrees, travelled that day 5. or 6. leagues to seek a way, and returned at night very comfortlesse, and without finding any signe of way or towne. The next day there were sundrie opinions delivered, whether they should goe backe, or what they should doe: and because backward the Countrie whereby they had passed was greatly spoiled and destitute of Maiz, and that which they brought with them was spent, and the men were very weake, aud the horses likewise, they doubted much whether they might come to any place where they might helpe themselves. And besides this, they were of opinion, that going in that sort out of order, that any Indians would presume to set upon them, so that with hunger, or with warre, they could not escape. The Governour determined to send horsemen from thence every way to seeke habitation: and the next day he sent foure Captaines, every one a sundrie way with eight horsemen. At night they came againe, leading their horses, or driving them with a sticke before; for they were wearie, that they could not lead them; neither found they any way nor signe of habitation. The next day, the Governour sent other foure with as many horsemen that could swim, to passe the Ose and Rivers which they should find, and they had choice horses the best that were in the Campe. The Captaines were Baltasar de Gallegos, which went up the River; and John Danusco, downe the River: Alfonso Romo, and John Rodriguez Lobillo went into the inward parts of the land. The Governour brought with him into Florida thirteene sowes, and had by this time three hundred swine: He commanded every man should have halfe a pound of hogs flesh every day: and this hee did three or foure daies after the Maiz was all spent. With this small quantitie of flesh, and some sodden hearbs, with much trouble the people were sustained. The Governour dismissed the Indians of Patofa, because hee had no food to give them; who desiring to accompanie and serve the Christians in their necessitie, making shew that it grieved them very much to returne, untill they had left them in a peopled Countrie, returned to their owne home. John Danusco came on Sunday late in the evening, and brought newes that he had found a little towne 12. or 13. leagues from thence: he brought a woman and a boy that he tooke there. With his comming and with those newes, the Governour and all the rest were so glad, that they seemed at that instant to have returned from death to life. Upon Monday, the twentie sixe of Aprill, the Governour departed to goe to the towne, which was called Aymay; and the Christians named it the towne of Reliefe. He left where the Camp had lien at the foote of a Pinetree a letter buried, and letters carved in the barke of the pine, the contents whereof was this: Dig here at the foot of this pine, & you shal find a letter. And this he did, because when the Captaines came, which were sent to seeke some habitation, they might see the letter, and know what was become of the Governour, and which way he was gone. There was no other way to the town, but the markes that John Danusco left made upon the trees. The Governour with some of them that had the best horses came to it on the Monday: And all the rest inforcing themselves the best they could, some of them lodged within two leagues of the towne, some within three and foure, every one as he was able to goe, and his strength served him. There was found in the towne a storehouse full of the flowre of parched Maiz; and some Maiz, which was distributed by allowance. Here were foure Indians taken, and none of them would confesse any other thing, but that they knew of none other habitation. The Governour commanded one of them to be burned; & presently another confessted, that two daies journie from thence, there was a Province that was called Cutifa-Chiqui. Upon Wednesday came the Captaines Baltasar de Gallegos, Alfonso Romo, and John Rodriguez Lobillo: for they had found the letter, and followed the way which the Governour had taken toward the towne. Two men of John Rodriguez companie were lost, because their horses tired: the Governour checked him very sore for leaving them behind, and sent to seeke them: and assoone as they came, he departed toward Cutifa-Chiqui. In the way three Indians were taken, which said, that the Ladie of that Countrie had notice alreadie of the Christians, and staied for them in a towne of hers. The Governour sent by one of them to offer her his friendship, and to advertise her how hee was comming thither. The Governour came unto the towne: and presently there came foure canoes to him; in one of them came a sister of the Ladie, and approching to the Governour she said these words:Two swift Rivers.Another greater RiverNine daies journie.The great increase of swine.Aymay.An Indian burned for his falsehood.Cutifa-Chiqui.

Excellent Lord, my sister sendeth unto you by me to kisse your Lordships hands, and to signifie unto you, that the cause why she come not in person, is, that she thinketh to do you greater service staying behind, as she doth, giving order, that with all speed, al her canoes be readie, that your Lordship may passe the River, and take your rest, which shall bee presentlie performed.

The Governour gave her thankes, and she returned to the other side of the River. Within a little while the Ladie came out of the towne in a Chaire, whereon certaine of the principall Indians brought her to the River. She entered into a barge, which had the sterne tilted over, and on the floore her mat readie laied with two cushions upon it one upon another, where she sate her downe; and with her came her principall Indians in other barges, which did wait upon her. She went to the place where the Governor was, and at her comming she made this speech following:

Excellent Lord, I wish this comming of your Lordship, into these your Countries, to be most happie: although my power be not answerable to my wil, and my services be not according to my desire, nor such as so high a Prince, as your Lordship, deserveth; yet since the good will is rather to be accepted, then all the treasures of the world, that without it are offered, with most unfaileable and manifest affection, I offer you my person, lands, and subjects, and this small service.

And therewithal she presented unto him great store of clothes of the Countrie, which shee brought in other canoes; to wit, mantles and skinnes; and tooke from her owne necke a great cordon of perles, and cast it about the necke of the Governour, entertaining him with very gracious speeches of love and courtesie, and commanded canoes to be brought thither, wherein the Governour and his people passed the River. Assoone as hee was lodged in the towne, she sent him another present of many hens. This Countrie was verie pleasant, fat, and hath goodly meadows by the Rivers. Their woods are thin, and ful of walnut trees and Mulberrie trees. They said the sea was two daies journie from thence. Within a league and halfe a league about this towne, were great townes dispeopled, and overgrowne with grasse; which shewed, that they had been long without inhabitants. The Indians said, that two yeere before there was a plague in that Countrie, and that they remooved to other townes. There was in their storehouses great quantitie of clothes, mantles of yarne made of the barkes of trees, and others made of feathers, white, greene, red and yellow, very fine after their use, and profitable for winter. There were also many Deeres skinnes, with many compartiments traced in them, and some of them made into hose, stockings, and shooes. And the Ladie perceiving, that the Christians esteemed the perles, advised the Governour to send to search certaine graves that were in that towne, and that hee should find many: and that if hee would send to the dispeopled townes, hee might load all his horses. They sought the graves of that towne, and there found fourteene rooves of perles, and little babies and birds made of of them. The people were browne, well made, and well proportioned, and more civill then any others that were seene in all the Countrie of Florida, and all of them went shod and clothed. The youth told the Governour, that hee began now to enter into the land which he spake of: and some credit was given him that it was so, because hee understood the language of the Indians: and hee requested that he might bee Christened, for he said hee desired to become a Christian: Hee was Christened, and named Peter; and the Governour commanded him to bee loosed from a chaine, in which untill that time he had gone. This Countrie, as the Indians reported, had been much inhabited, and had the fame of a good Countrie. And, as it seemeth, the youth, which was the Governours guide, had heard of it, and that which he knew by heresay, hee affirmed that hee had seene, and augmented at his pleasure. In this towne was found a dagger, and beades, that belonged to Christians. The Indians reported, that Christians had beene in the haven, which was two daies journie from this towne, many yeeres agoe. Hee that came thither was the Governour, the Licenciate Lucas Vasquez de Ayllon, which went to conquer this Countrie, and at his comming to the Port hee died; and there was a division, quarrels and slaughters betweene some principall men which went with him, for the principall government: And without knowing any thing of the Countrie, they returned home to Hispaniola. All the Companie thought it good to inhabit that Countrie, because it was in a temperat climate: And that if it were inhabited, al the shippes of New Spaine, of Peru, Santa Martha, and Tierra firme, in their returne for Spaine, might well touch there: because it was in their way; and because it was a good Countrie, and sited fit to raise commoditie. The Governour, since his intent was to seeke another treasure, like that of Atabalipa Lord of Peru, was not contented with a good Countrie, nor with pearles, though many of them were worth their weight in gold. And if the Countrie had been divided among the Christians, those which the Indians had fished for afterward, would have been of more value: for those which they had, because they burned them in the fire, did leese their colour. The Governour answered them, that urged him to inhabit, That in all the Countrie, there were not victuals to sustaine his men one moneth; and that it was needfull to resort to the Port of Ocus, where Maldanado was to stay for them: and that if no richer Countrie were found, they might returne againe to that whensoever they would: and in the meane time the Indians would sow their fields, and it would be better furnished with Maiz. He inquired of the Indians, whether they had notice of any great Lord farther into the land. They told him, that 12. daies journies from thence, there was a Province called Chiaha, subject to the Lord of Coça. Presently the Governour determined to seeke that land. And being a sterne man, and of few words, though he was glad to sift and know the opinion of all men, yet after hee had delivered his owne, hee would not be contraried, and alwaies did what liked himselfe, and so all men did condescend unto his will. And though it seemed an errour to leave that Countrie, (for others might have been sought round about, where the people might have been sustained, untill the harvest had been readie there and the Maiz gathered) yet there was none that would say anything against him, after they knew his resolution.A great cordon of perles.They passe the River.Cutifa-Chiqui.Walnut trees.Mulbery trees for silke.The sea two daies journie off.Mantles of the barkes of trees.Mantles of feathers.Three hundred ninetie two pounds of pearles found.This towne was but two daies journie from the haven of Santa Helena.In the yeere 1525.It is in 32. degrees ½.Chiaha 12. daies journie from Santa Helena: and Coste 7. daies journie from Chiaha: at which towne of Coste, they had an oxe hide: Chap. 16

Chap. XV. How the Governour departed from Cutifa-Chiqui to seeke the Province of Coça; and what happened unto him in the way.

THe Governour departed from Cutifa-Chiqui the third day of May. And because the Indians had revolted, and the will of the Ladie was perceived, that if she could, she would depart without giving any guides or men for burdens, for the wrongs which the Christians had done to the Indians: (for there never want some among many of a base sort, that for a little gaine doe put themselves and others in danger of undoing.) The Governour commanded her to be kept in safegard, and carried with him, not with so good usage as she deserved for the good wil she shewed, and good entertainement that she had made him. And he verified that old proverb which saith; For weldoing I receive evill. And so he carried her on foot with his bondwomen to looke unto her. In all the townes where the Governour passed, the Ladie commanded the Indians to come and carrie the burdens from one towne to another. We passed through her Countrie an hundred leagues, in which, as we saw, she was much obeyed. For the Indians did all that she commanded them with great efficacie and diligence. Peter the youth that was our guide, said, that she was not the Ladie her selfe, but a neece of hers, which came to that towne to execute certaine principal men by commandement of the Ladie, which had withheld her tribute: which words were not beleeved, because of the lies which they had found in him before: but they bare with all things, because of the need which they had of him, to declare what the Indians said. In seven daies space the Governour came to a Province called Chalaque, the poorest Country of Maiz that was seene in Florida. The Indians fed upon rootes and herbes which they seeke in the fields, and upon wild beasts, which they kil with their bowes and arrowes: and is a verie gentle people. All of them goe naked, and are very leane. There was a Lord, which for a great present, brought the Governour two Deeres skins: and there were in that Countrie many wild hennes. In one towne they made him a present of 700. hennes, and so in other townes they sent him those which they had or could get. From this Province to another, which is called Xualla, he spent five daies: here he found very little Maiz; and for this cause, though the people were wearied, and the horses very weake, he staied no more but two daies. From Ocute to Cutifa-chiqui, may bee some hundred and thirtie leagues, whereof 80. are wildernesse. From Cutifa-chiqui to Xualla, two hundred and fiftie, and it is an hillie Countrie. The Governour departed from Xualla toward Guaxule: he passed very rough and hie hilles. In that journie, the Ladie of Cutifa-chiqui (whom the Governour carried with him, as is afore said, with purpose to carrie her to Guaxule, because her territorie reached thither) going on a day with the bondwomen which lead her, went out of the way, and entred into a wood, saying, she went to ease her selfe, and so she deceived them, and hid her selfe in the wood; and though they sought her they could not find her. She carried away with her a little chest made of canes in manner of a coffer, which they call Petaca, full of unbored perles. Some which could judge of them, said, that they were of great value. An Indian woman that waited on her did carrie them. The Governour not to discontent her altogether, left them with her, making account that in Guaxule he would ask them of her, when he gave her leave to returne: which coffer she carried away, and went to Xualla with three slaves which fled from the Campe, and one horseman which remained behind, who falling sicke of an ague went out of the way, and was lost. This man, whose name was Alimamos, dealt with the slaves to change their evill purpose, and returne with him to the Christians: which two of them did; and Alimamos and they overtooke the Governour 50. leagues from thence in a Province called Chiaha; and reported how the Ladie remained in Xualla with a slave of Andrew de Vasconcellos, which would not come backe with them, and that of a certaintie they lived as man and wife together, and meant to goe both to Cutifa-chiqui. Within five daies the Governour came to Guaxule. The Indians there gave him a present of 300. dogges, because they saw the Christians esteeme them, and sought them to feed on them: for among them they are not eaten. In Guaxule, and all that way, was very little Maiz. The Governour sent from thence an Indian with a message to the Cacique of Chiaha, to desire him to gather some Maiz thither, that he might rest a few daies in Chiaha. The Governour departed from Guaxule, and in two daies journie came to a towne called Canasagua. There met him on the way 20. Indians every one loaden with a basket ful of Mulberries: for there be many, and those very good, from Cutifa-chiqui thither, and so forward in other Provinces, and also nuts and plummes. And the trees grow in the fields without planting or dressing them, and as big and as rancke, as though they grew in gardens digged and watered. From the time that the Governour departed from Canasagua, hee journied five daies through a desert; and two leagues before hee came to Chiaha, there met him 15. Indians loaden with Maiz, which the Cacique had sent; and they told him on his behalfe, that he waited his comming with 20. barnes full of it; and farther, that himselfe, his Countrie, and subjects, & al things els were at his service. On the 5. day June, the Governour entred into Chiaha: The Cacique voided his owne houses, in which he lodged, & received him with much joy, saying these words following:Chalaque seven daies journie from Chutifa-Chiqui.700. hennes.Xualla 5. daies off.Rough and hie hilles.Guaxule five daies off.Canasagua two daies journie off.Great store of Mulberrie trees to make silke.June 5.Chiaha five daies journie off, and 50. leagues from Xualla.

Mightie and excellent Lord, I hold my selfe for so happie a man, in that it hath pleased your Lordship to use me, that nothing could have happened unto me of more contentment, nor that I would have esteemed so much. From Guaxule your Lordship sent unto me, that I should prepare Maiz for you in this towne for two moneths: Here I have for you 20. barnes full of the choicest that in all the Countrie could be found. If your Lordship bee not entertained by me in such sort, as is fit for so hie a Prince, respect my tender age, which excuseth me from blame, and receive my good wil, which with much loyaltie, truth, and sinceritie, I will alwaies shew in any thing, which shall concerne your Lordships service.

The Governor answered him, that he thanked him very much for his service and offer, and that he would alwaies account him as his brother. There was in this towne much butter in gourds melted like oile: they said it was the fat of beares. There was found also great store of oile of walnuts, which was cleare as butter, and of a good taste, and a pot full of honie of bees, which either before nor afterward was seene in all the Countrie. The towne was an Island betweene two armes of a River, and was seated nigh one of them. The River divideth it selfe into those two branches two crossebow shot above the towne, and meeteth againe a league beneath the same. The plaine betweene both the branches is sometimes one crossebow shot, sometimes two crossebow shot over. The branches are very broad, and both of them may be waded over. There were along them verie good meadows, and manie fields sowne with Maiz. And because the Indians staied in their towne, the Governour only lodged in the houses of the Cacique, and his people in the fields; where there was ever a tree, everie one tooke one for himselfe. Thus the Camp lay separated one from another, and out of order. The Governour winked at it, because the Indians were in peace, and because it was very hot, and the people should have suffered great extremitie, if it had not bin so. The horses came thither so weake, that for feeblenesse, they were not able to carrie their masters: because that from Cutifa-chiqui, they alwaies travelled with verie little provender, and were hunger starved and tired ever since they came from the the desert of Ocute. And because the most of them were not in case to use in battell, though need should require, they sent them to feed in the night a quarter of a league from the Camp. The Christians were there in great danger, because that if at this time the Indians had set upon them, they had been in evill case to have defended themselves. The Governour rested there thirtie daies, in which time, because the Countrie was very fruitfull, the horses grew fat. At the time of his departure, by the importunitie of some, which would have more then was reason, hee demanded of the Cacique 30. women to make slaves of. Hee answered that he would conferre with his chiefe men. And before hee returned an answere, one night all of them with their wives and children forsooke the towne, and fled away. The next day the Governour purposing to goe to seeke them, the Cacique came unto him, and at his comming used these words unto the Governour:The fat of beares.Oile of Walnuts.Honie of Bees.The desert of Ocute, chap. 14.30. Daies rest.

Mightie Lord, with shame and feare of your Lordship, because my subjects against my will have done amisse in absenting themselves, I went my way without your license; and knowing the errour which I have committed, like a loyall subject, I come to yeeld my selfe into your power, to dispose of mee at your owne pleasure. For my subjects do not obey mee, nor doe any thing but what an Uncle of mine commandeth, which governeth this Countrie for me, untill I be of a perfect age. If your Lordship will pursue them, and execute on them that, which for their disobedience they deserve, I will be your guide, since at this present my fortune will not suffer me to performe any more.

Presently the Governour with 30. horsemen, and as many footemen, went to seeke the Indians, and passing by some townes of the principall Indians which had absented themselves, hee cut and destroyed great fields of Maiz; and went up the River, where the Indians were in an Island, where the horsemen could not come at them. There he sent them word by an Indian to returne to their towne and feare nothing, and that they should give him men to carrie burdens, as al those behind had done; for he would have no Indian women, seeing they were so loth to part with them. The Indians accepted his request, and came to the Governour to excuse themselves; and so all of them returned to their towne. A Cacique of a Province called Coste, came to this towne to visit the Governour. After hee had offered himselfe, and passed with him some words of tendring his service and curtesie; the Governour asking him whether he had notice of any rich Countrie? he said, yea: to wit, that toward the North, there was a Province named Chisca: and that there was a melting of copper, and of another metal of the same colour, save that it was finer, and of a farre more perfect colour, and farre better to the sight; and that they used it not so much, because it was softer. And the selfe same thing was told Governour in Cutifa-chiqui; where we saw some little hatchets of copper, which were said to have a mixture of gold. But in that part the Countrie was not well peopled, and they said there were mountaines, which the horses could not passe: and for that cause, the Governour would not goe from Cutifa-chiqui directly thither: And hee made account, that travelling through a peopled Countrie, when his men and horses should bee in better plight, and hee were better certified of the truth of the thing, he would returne toward it, by mountaines, and a better inhabited Countrie, whereby hee might have better passage. He sent two Christians from Chiaha with certaine Indians which knew the Countrie of Chisca, and the language thereof to view it, and to make report of that which they should find; where he told them that he would tarrie for them.Certaine townes.Mines of copper and gold in Chisca toward the North.Hatchets of copper holding gold.Chisca is directly North from Cutifa-Chiqui, which is within two daies of Santa Helena.Two Christians sent from Chiaha to seeke Chisca.

CHAP. XVI. How the Governor departed from Chiaha, and at Coste was in danger to have beene slaine by the hands of the Indians, and by a stratageme escaped the same: And what more happened unto him in this journie, and how he came to Coça.

WHen the Governour was determined to depart from Chiaha to Coste, he sent for the Cacique to come before him, and with gentle words tooke his leave of him, and gave him certaine things, wherewith he rested much contented: In seven daies hee came to Coste. The second of Julie he commanded his Campe to be pitched two crossebow shot from the town: and with eight men of his guard he went where he found the Cacique, which to his thinking received him with great love. As hee was talking with him, there went from the Campe certaine footemen to the towne to seeke some Maiz, and not contented with it, they ransacked and searched the houses, and tooke what they found. With this despite the Indians began to rise and to take their armes: and some of them with cudgils in their hands, ran upon five or sixe Christians, which had done them wrong, and beat them at their pleasure. The Governour seeing them al in an uprore, and himselfe among them with so few Christians, to escape their hands used a stratagem, farre against his owne disposition being, as hee was, very francke and open: and though it grieved him very much that any Indian should be so bold, as with reason, or without reason to despise the Christians, he tooke up a cudgel, and tooke their parts against his owne men; which was a meanes to quiet them: And presently he sent word by a man very secretly to the Campe, that some arrned men should come toward the place where he was; and hee tooke the Cacique by the hand, using very mild words unto him, and with some principall Indians that did accompanie him, he drew them out of the towne into a plaine way, and unto the sight of the Campe, whither by little and little with good discretion the Christians began to come and to gather about them. Thus the Governour led the Cacique, and his chiefe men untill he entred with them into the Campe: and neere unto his tent, hee commanded them to be put in safe custodie: and told them, that they should not depart without giving him a guide and Indians for burthens, and till certaine sicke Christians were come, which he had commanded to come downe the River in canoes from Chiaha; and those also which he had sent to the Province of Chisca: (for they were not returned; and he feared that the Indians had slaine the one, and the other.) Within three daies after, those which were sent to Chisca returned, and made report, that the Indians had carried them through a Countrie so poore of Maiz, and so rough, and over so high mountaines, that it was impossible for the armie to travell that way; and that seeing the way grew very long, and that they lingred much, they consulted to returne from a little poore towne, where they saw nothing that was of any profit, and brought an oxe hide, which the Indians gave them, as thinne as a calves skinne, and the haire like a soft wool, betweene the course and fine wooll of sheepe. The Cacique gave a guide, and men for burdens, and departed with the Governours leave. The Governour departed from Coste the ninth of Julie, and lodged at a towne called Tali: The Cacique came foorth to receive him on the way, and made this speech:

Excellent Lord and Prince, worthie to be served and obeyed of all the Princes in the world; howsoever for the most part by the outtward physiognomie, the inward vertue may bee judged, and that who you are, and of what strength, was knowne unto mee before now: I will not inferre hereupon how meane I am in your presence, to hope that my poore services will bee gratefull and acceptable: since whereas strength faileth, the will doth not cease to be praised and accepted. And for this cause I presume to request your Lordship, that you will be pleased onely to respect the same, and consider wherein you will command my service in this your Countrie.Coste seven daies from Chiaha, chap. 14.A wise stratagem.Those which were sent to seeke Chisca returne.High mountaines.A little poore towne.An oxe hide with haire like wooll. cap. 26. and Gomera Histor. General. cap. 215. saith so.Tali, 1. day from Coste.

The Governour answered him, that his good will and offer was as acceptable unto him, as if he had offered him all the treasures of the world, and that hee would alwaies intreate, favour, and esteeme him as if he were his owne brother. The Cacique commanded provision necessarie for two daies, while the Governour was there, to be brought thither: and at the time of his departure, he gave him foure women and two men, which hee had need of to beare burthens. The Governour travelled sixe daies through many townes subject to the Cacique of Coça: & as he entred into his Countrie many Indians came unto him every day from the Cacique, and met him on the way with messages, one going, and another comming. Hee came to Coça upon Friday, the 26. of Julie. The Cacique came foorth to receive him two crossebow shot from the towne in a chaire, which his principall men carried on their shoulders, sitting upon a cushion, and covered with a garment of Marterns, of the fashion and bignes of a womans huke: hee had on his head a diadem of feathers, and round about him many Indians playing upon flutes, and singing. Assoone as he came unto the Governour, he did his obeisance, and uttered these words following:Many townes of Coça.CoçaJulie 26.Marterns.

Excellent and mightie Lord, above all them of the earth; although I come but now to receive you, yet I have received you many daies agoe in my heart, to wit, from the day wherein I had first notice of your Lordship; with so great desire to serve you, with so great pleasure and contentment, that this which I make shew of, is nothing in regard of that which is in my heart, neither can it have any kind of comparison. This you may hold for certaine, that to obtaine the dominion of the whole world, would not have rejoiced me so much, as your sight, neither would I have held it for so great a felicitie. Doe not looke for me to offer you that which is your owne: to wit, my person, my lands and subjects: onely I will busie myselfe in commanding my men with all diligence and due reverence to welcome you from hence to the towne with playing and singing, where your Lordship shall be lodged and attended upon by myselfe and them: and all that I possesse, your Lordship shall use as it were your owne. For your Lordship shall doe me a verie great favour in so doing.

The Governour gave him thankes, and with great joy they both went conferring together, till they came to the towne: and he commanded his Indians to void their houses, wherein the Governour and his men were lodged. There was in the barnes, and in the fields, great store of Maiz and French Beanes: The Country was greatly inhabited with many great townes, and many sowne fields, which reached from the one to the other. It was pleasant, fat, full of good meadows upon Rivers. There were in the fields, many Plum trees, aswell of such as grow in Spaine, as of the Countrie: and wild tall vines, that runne up the trees; and besides these, there were other low vines with big and sweet grapes; but for want of digging and dressing, they had great kernels in them. The Governour used to set a guard over the Caciques, because they should not absent themselves, and carried them with him, till he came out of their Countries: because that carrying them along with him, he looked to find people in the townes, and they gave him guides, and men to carrie burdens: and before hee went out of their Countries, he gave them licence to returne to their houses, and to their porters likewise, assoone as he came to any other Lordship, where they gave him others. The men of Coça seeing their Lord detained, tooke it in evil part, and revolted, and hid themselves in the woods, aswell those of the towne of the Cacique, as those of the other townes of his principall subjects. The Governor sent out foure Captaines, every one his way to seeke them. They tooke many men and women, which were put into chaines: They seeing the hurt which they received, and how little they gained in absenting themselves, came againe, promising to do whatsoever they were commanded. Of those which were taken prisoners, some principall men were set at libertie, whom the Cacique demanded: and every one that had any, carried the rest in chaines like slaves, without letting them goe to their Countrie: neither did any returne, but some few, whose fortune helped them with the good diligence which they used to file off their chaines by night, or such as in their travelling could slippe aside out of the way, seeing any negligence in them that kept them: some escaped away with the chaines, and with the burdens, and clothes which they carried.Many great townes.Many plum-trees of divers sorts.Two sorts of grapes.

CHAP. XVII. How the Governour went from Coça to Tascaluca.

THe Governour rested in Coça 25. daies. He departed from thence the 20. of August to seeke a Province, called Tascaluca: hee carried with him the Cacique of Coça. He passed that day by a great towne called Tallimuchase, the people were fled: he lodged halfe a league farther neere a brooke. The next day he came to a towne called Ytaua, subject to Coça. Hee staied there sixe daies because of a River that passed by it, which at that time was verie hie; and assoone as the River suffered him to passe, he set forward, and lodged at a towne named Ullibahali. There came to him on the way, of the Caciques behalfe of that Province, ten or twelve principall Indians to offer him his service; all of them had their plumes of feathers, and bowes and arrowes. The Governour comming to the towne with twelve horsemen, and and some footemen of his guard, leaving his peeple a crossebow shot from the towne, entred into it, hee found all the Indians with their weapons: and as farre as he could ghesse, they seemed to have some evill meaning. It was knowne afterward, that they were determined to take the Cacique of Coça from the Governour, if hee had requested it. The Governour commanded all his people to enter the towne, which was walled about, and neere unto it passed a small River. The wall, aswell of that, as others, which afterward wee saw, was of great posts thrust deepe into the ground and very rough, and many long railes as big as ones arme laid acrosse between them, and the wall was about the height of a lance, and it was daubed within and without with clay, and had loope holes. On the otherside of the River was a towne, where at that present the Cacique was. The Governour sent to call him, and hee came presently. After he had passed with the Governour some words of offering his services, he gave him such men for his cariages as he needed, and thirtie women for slaves. In that place was a Christian lost, called Mançano, borne in Salamanca, of noble parentage, which went astray to seeke for grapes, whereof there is a great store of there, and those very good. The day that the Governour departed from thence, he lodged at a towne subject to the Lord of Ullibahali: and the next day hee came to another towne called Toasi. The Indians gave the Governour thirtie women, and such men for his cariages as he needed. Hee travelled ordinarily 5. or 6. leagues a day when he travelled through peopled Countries: and going through deserts, he marched as fast as he could, to eschew the want of Maiz. From Toasi, passing through some townes subject to a Cacique, which was Lord of a province called Tallise, hee travelled five daies: He came to Tallise the 18. of September: The towne was great, and situated neere unto a maine River. On the other side of the River were other townes, and many fields sowne with Maiz. On both sides it was a very plentifull Countrie, and had store of Maiz: they had voided the towne. The Governour commanded to call the Cacique; who came, and betweene them passed some words of love and offer of his services, and hee presented unto him 40. Indians. There came to the Governour in this towne a principall Indian in the behalfe of the Cacique of Tascaluca, and made this speech following:20. of August.Ytaua.A great River.Ullibahali.Ullibahali walled about.The fashion of their walles.A towne.Great store of good grapes.A towne.Toasi.He travelled ordinarily five or sixe leagues a day.Tallise, a great towne.September 18.A maine River.

Mightie, vertuous, and esteemed Lord, the great Cacique of Tascaluca my Lord, sendeth by me to kisse your Lordships hands, and to let you understand, that he hath notice, how you justly ravish with your perfections and power, all men on the earth; and that everie one by whom your Lordship passeth doth you; which he acknowldgeth to be due unto you, and desired, as his life, to see, and to serve your Lordship. For which cause by me he offereth himselfe, his lands and subjects, that when your Lordship pleaseth to go through his Countrie, you may be received with all peace and love, served and obeyed; and that in, recompense of the desire he hath to see you, you will doe him the favor to let him, know when you will come: for how much the sooner, so much, the greater favour he shall receive.

The Governour received and dispatched him graciously, giving him beades, which among them were not much esteemed, and some other things to carrie to his Lord. And he gave licence to the Cacique of Coça to returne home to his owne Countries. The Cacique of Tallise gave him such men for burthens as he needed. And after he had rested there 20. daies, hee departed thence toward Tascaluca. That day when hee went from Tallise, hee lodged at a great towne called Casiste. And the next day passed by another, and came to a small towne of Tascaluca; and the next day hee camped in a wood two leagues from the towne where the Cacique resided, and was at that time. And he sent the Master of the Camp, Luys de Moscoso with 15. horsemen, to let him know hee was comming. The Cacique was in his lodgings under a Canopie: and without doores, right against his lodgings, in an high place, they spread a mat for him, & two cushions one upon another, where he sat him downe, and his Indians placed themselves round about him, somewhat distant from him, so that they made a place, and a void roome where he sate: and his chiefest men were neerest to him, and one with a shadow of Deeres skinne, which keept the Sunne from him, being round, and of the bignes of a target, quartered with black and white, having a rundell in the middest: a farre off it seemed to be of taffata, because the colours were very perfect. It was set on it small staffe stretched wide out. This was the device which hee carried in his warres. Hee was a man of a very tall stature, of great limmes, and spare, and well proportioned, and was much feared of his neighbours and subjects. He was Lord of many territories and much people: In his countenance hee was very grave. After the Master of the Campe had spoken with him, he and those that went with him coursed their horses, pransing them to and fro, and now and then toward the place where the Cacique was, who with much gravitie and dissimulation now and then lifted up his eies, and beheld them as it were with disdaine. At the Governours comming, hee made no offer at all to rise. The Governour tooke him by the hand, and both of them sat downe together on a seate which was under the cloth of estate. The Cacique said these words unto him:Casiste a great towne.Tascaluca.

Mighty Lord, I bid your Lordship right hartily welcome. I receive as much pleasure and contentment with your sight, as if you were my brother whom I dearely loved: upon this point it is not needfull to use many reasons; since it is no discretion to speake that in many wordes, which in few may be uttered. How much the greater the will is, so much more giveth it name to the workes, and the workes give testimonie of the truth. Now touching my will, by it you shall know, how certain & manifest it is, and how pure inclination I have to serve you. Concerning the favour which you did me, in the things which you sent me, I make as much account of them as is reason to esteeme them: and chiefly because they were yours. Now see what service you will command me.

The Governour satisfied him with sweet words, and with great brevitie. When hee departed from thence he determined to carrie him along with him for some causes, and at two daies journie hee came to a towne called Piache, by which there passed a great River. The Governour demanded canoes of the Indians: they said, they had them not, but that they would make rafts of canes and drie timber, on which he might passe well enough: And they made them with all diligence and speed, and they governed them; and because the water went very slow, the Governour and his people passed very well.Piache.A great River.

From the Port de Spirito Santo to Apalache, which is about an hundred leagues, the Governour went from East to West: And from Apalache to Cutifa-chiqui, which are 430. leagues, from the Southwest to the Northeast: and from Cutifa-chiqui to Xualla, which are about two hundred and fifty leagues, from the South to the North: And from Xualla to Tascaluca, which are two hundred and fiftie leagues more, an hundred and ninetie of them he travelled from East to West, to wit, to the Province of Coça: and the other 60. from Coça to Tascaluca from the North to the South.

Having passed the River of Piache, a Christian went from his companie from thence to seeke a woman slave that was runne away from him, and the Indians either tooke him captive, or slue him. The Governor urged the Cacique that he should give account of him, and threatned him, that if he were not found, he would never let him loose. The Cacique sent an Indian from thence to Mauilla, whither they were travelling, which was a towne of a principall Indian and his subject, saying, that he sent him to advise them to make readie victuals, and men for carriages. But, (as afterward appeared) hee sent him to assemble all the men of warre thither, that hee had in his Countrie. The Governour travelled three daies; and the third day he passed all day through a peopled Countrie: and he came to Mauilla upon Monday the 18. of October. He went before the Camp with 15. horsemen and 30. footemen. And from the towne came a Christian, whom he had sent to the principall man, three or foure daies before, because he should not absent himselfe, and also to learne in what sort the Indians were: who told him that hee thought they were in an evill purpose: for while hee was there, there came manie people into the towne, and many weapons, and that they made great haste to fortifie the wall. Luys de Moscoso told the Governour, that it would bee good to lodge in the field, seeing the Indians were of such disposition: and hee answered, that he would lodge in the towne, for hee was wearie of lodging in the field. When hee came neere unto the towne, the Cacique came foorth to receive him with many Indians playing upon flutes and singing: And after hee had offered himselfe, hee presented him with three mantles of marterns. The Governour, with both the Caciques, and seven or eight men of his guard, and three or foure horsemen, which alighted to accompanie him, entred into the towne, and sat him downe under a cloth of estate. The Cacique of Tascaluca requested him, that hee would let him remaine in that towne, and trouble him no more with travelling: And seeing he would not give him leave, in his talke he changed his purpose, and dissemblinglie fained that he would speake with some principall Indians, and rose up from the place where hee sate with the Governour, and entred into a house, where many Indians were with their bowes and arrowes. The Governour when he saw he returned not, called him, and he answered, that he would not come out from thence, neither would he goe any farther then that towne, and that if he would goe his way in peace, hee should presently depart, and should not seeke to carrie him perforce out of his Countrie and territorie.Mauilla.18. of October.Mauilla walled.3 Mantles of Marterns.

CHAP. XVIII. How the Indians rose against the Governour, and what ensued thereupon.

THe Governour seeing the determination, and furious answere of the Cacique, went about to pacifie him with faire words: to which he gave no answere, but rather with much pride and disdaine, withdrew himselfe where the Governour might not see him, nor speake with him. As a principall Indian passed that way, the Governor called him, to send him word, that hee might remaine at his pleasure in his Countrie, and that it would please him to give him a guide, and men for carriages, to see if hee could pacifie him with mild words. The Indians anwered with great pride, that hee would not hearken unto him. Baltasar de Gallegos, which stood by, tooke hold of a gowne of marterns which hee had on and hee cast it over his head, and left it in his hands: and because all of them immediately began to stirre, Baltasar de Gallegos gave him such a wound with his coutilas, that hee opened him downe the backe, and presently all the Indians with a great crie came out of the houses shooting their arrowes. The Governour considering, that if hee tarried there, hee could not escape, and if hee commanded his men to come in, which were without the towne, the Indians within the houses might kill their horses, and doe much hurt, ranne out or the towne, and before hee came out, hee fell twice or thrice, and those that were with him did helpe him up againe; and he and those that were with him were sore wounded; and in a moment there were five Christians slaine in the towne. The Governour came running out of the towne, crying out, that every man should stand farther off, because from the wall they did them much hurt. The Indians seeing that the Christians retired, and some of them, or the most part, more then an ordinary pase, shot with great boldnesse at them, and strooke downe such as they could overtake. The Indians which the Christians did lead with them in chaines, had laid downe their burthens neere unto the wall: and assoone as the Governour and his men were retired, the men of Mauilla laid them on the Indians backs againe, and tooke them into the towne, and loosed them presently from their chaines, and gave them bowes and arrowes to fight withall. Thus they possessed themselves of al the clothes and perles, and all that the Christians had, which their slaves carried. And because the Indians had been alwaies peaceable untill wee came to this place, some of our men had their weapons in their fardels and remained unarmed. And from others that had entred the towne with the Governour they had taken swords and halebards, and fought with them. When the Governour was gotten into the field, hee called for an horse, and with some that accompanied him, hee returned and slew two or three Indians: All the rest retired themselves to the towne, and shot with their bowes from the wall. And those which presumed of their nimblenes, sallied foorth to fight a stones cast from the wall: And when the Christians charged them, they retired themselves at their leasure into the towne. At the time that the broile began, there were in the towne a Frier, and a Priest, and a servant of the Governour, with a woman slave: and they had no time to come out of the towne: and they tooke an house, and so remained in the towne. The Indians being become Masters of the place, they shut the doore with a field gate: and among them was one sword which the Governours servant had, and with it he set himselfe behind the doore, thrusting at the Indians which sought to come into them: and the Frier and the Priest stood on the other side, each of them with a barre in their hands to beate him downe that first came in. The Indians seeing they could not get in by the doore, began to uncover the house top. By this time, all the horsemen and footemen which were behind, were come to Mauilla. Here there were sundrie opinions, whether they should charge the Indians to enter the towne, or whether they should leave it, because it was hard to enter: and in the end it was resolved to set upon them.A gowne of marterns.Al the clothes and perles of the Christians were lost.

CHAP. XIX. How the Governour set his men in order, and entred the towne of Mauilla.

ASsoone as the battell and the rereward were come to Mauilla, the Governour commanded all those that where best armed to alight, and made foure squadrons of footmen. The Indians, seeing how he was setting his men in order, concluded with the Cacique, that hee should goe his way, saying unto him, as after it was knowne by certaine women that were taken there, that he was but one man, and could fight but for one man, and that they had there among them many principall Indians verie valiant and expert in feates of armes, that anyone of them was able to order the people there; and forasmuch as matters of warre were subject to casualtie, and it was uncertaine which part should overcome, they wished him to save himselfe, to the end, that if it fel out that they should end their daies there, as they determined, rather then to be overcome, there might remaine one to governe the Countrie. For all this hee would not have gon away: but they urged him so much, that with fifteene or twentie Indians of his owne, hee went out of the towne, and carried away a skarlat cloke, and other things of the Christians goods; as much as hee was able to carrie, and seemed best unto him. The Governour was informed how there went men out of the towne, and hee commanded the horsemen to beset it, and sent in every squadron of footemen one souldier with a firebrand to set fire on the houses, that the Indians might have no defense: all his men being set in order, hee commanded an harcubuz to bee shot off. The signe being given, the foure squadrons, every one by it selfe with great furie, gave the onset, and with great hurt on both sides they entred the towne. The Frier and the Priest, and those that were with them in the house were saved, which cost the lives of two men of account, and valiant, which came thither to succour them. The Indians fought with such courage, that many times they drave our men out of the towne. The fight lasted so long, that for wearinesse and great thirst many of the Christians went to a poole that was neere the wal, to drink, which was all stained with the blood of the dead, and then came againe to fight. The Governour seeing this, entred among the footemen into the towne on horseback, with certaine that accompanied them, and was a meane that the Christians came to set fire on the houses, and brake and overcame the Indians, who running out of the towne from the footemen, the horsemen without drave in at the gates again, where being without all hope of life, they fought valiantly, & after the Christians came among them to handy blowes, seeing themselves in great distresse without any succour, many of them fled into the burning houses, where one upon another they were smothered and burnt in the fire. The whole number of the Indians that died in this towne, were two thousand and five hundred, little more or lesse. Of the Christians there died eighteene; of which one was Don Carlos, brother in law to the Governour, and a nephew of his, and one John de Gamez, and Men Rodriguez Portugals, and John Vazquez de Villanova de Barca Rota, all men of honour, and of much valour: the rest were footemen. Besides those that were slaine, there were an hundred and fiftie wounded with 700. wounds or their arrowes: and it pleased God that of very dangerous wounds they were quickly healed. Moreover, there were twelve horses slaine, and seventie hurt. All the clothes which the Christians carried with them to clothe themselves withall, and the ornaments to say Masse, and the perles, were all burnt there: and the Christians did set them on fire themselves; because they held for a greater inconvenience, the hurt which the Indians might doe them from those houses, where they had gathered all those goods together, then the losse of them. Here the Governour understood, that Francisco Maldonado waited for him at the Port of Ochuse, and that it was sixe daies journie from thence; and he dealt with John Ortiz to keepe it secret, because he had not accomplished that which he determined to doe; and because the perles were burnt there, which he meant to have sent to Cuba for a shew, that the people hearing the newes, might be desirous to come to that Countrie. He feared also, that if they should have newes of him without seeing from Florida neither gold nor silver, nor any thing of value, it would get such a name, that no man would seeke to goe thither, when he should have neede of people. And so he determined to send no newes of himselfe, untill hee had found some rich Countrie.A consultation of the Indians to send away their Cacique.The death of 2500. Indians.The Port of Ochuse sixe daies journie from Mauilla.

CHAP. XX. How the Governour departed from Mauilla toward Chicaça, and what happened unto him.

FRom the time that the Governour entred into Florida, untill his departure from Mauilla, there died an hundred and two Christians, some of sicknesse, and others which the Indians slew. He staied in Mauilla, because of the wounded men, eight and twentie daies; all which time he lay in the field. It was a well inhabited and a fat Countrie, there were some great & walled townes: and many houses scattered all about the fields, to wit, a crossebow shot or two, the one from the other. Upon Sonday, the eighteenth of November, when the hurt men were knowne to bee healed, the Governour departed from Mauilla. Every one furnished himselfe with Maiz for two daies, and they travelled five daies through a desert: they came to a Province called Pafallaya, unto a towne named Taliepataua: and from thence they went to another, called Cabusto: neere unto it ran a great River. The Indians on the other side cried out, threatning the Christians to kill them, if they sought to passe it. The Governour commanded his men to make a barge within the towne, because the Indians should not perceive it: it was finished in foure daies, and being ended, he commanded it to be carried one night upon sleds halfe a league up the River. In the morning there entred into it thirtie men well armed. The Indians perceived what was attempted, and those which were neerest, came to defend the passage. They resisted what they could, till the Christians came neere them; and seeing that the barge came to the shore, they fled away into the groves of canes. The Christians mounted on horsebacke, and went up the River to make good the passage, whereby the Governour and his companie passed the River. There were along the River some townes well stored with Maiz and French Beanes. From thence to Chicaça the Governour travelled five daies through a desert. Hee came to a River, where on the otherside were Indians to defend the passage. He made another barge in two daies; and when it was finished, the Governour sent an Indian to request the Cacique to accept of his friendship, and peaceably to expect his comming: whom the Indians that were on the other side the River slew before his face, and presently making a great shout went their way. Having passed the River, the next day, being the 17. of December, Governour came to Chicaça, a small towne of twentie houses. And after they were come to Chicaça, they were much troubled with cold, because it was now winter and it snowed, while most of them were lodged in the field, before they had time to make themselves houses. This Countrie was very well peopled, and the houses scattered like those of Mauilla, fat and plentifull of Maiz, and the most part of it was fielding: they gathered as much as sufficed to passe the winter. Some Indians were taken, among which was one whom the Cacique esteemed greatly. The Governour sent an Indian to signifie to the Cacique, that he desired to see him and to have his friendship. The Cacique came unto him, to offer him his person, Countrie and subjects, and told him, that he would cause two other Caciques to come to him in peace; who within few daies after came with him, and with their Indians: The one was called Alimamu, the other Nicalasa. They gave a present unto the Governour of an hundred and fiftie conies, and of the Countrie garments, to wit, of mantles and skinnes. The Cacique of Chiaça came to visit him many times; and sometimes the Governour sent to call him, and sent him an horse to goe and come. He complained unto him, that a subject of his was risen against him and deprived him of his tribute, requesting his aide against him, for hee meant to seeke him in his Countrie, and to punish him according to his desert. Which was nothing els but a fained plot. For they determined, assoone as the Governour was was gone with him, and the Campe was divided into two parts, the one part of them to set upon the Governour, and the other upon them that remained in Chicaça. Hee went to the town where he used to keepe his residence, and brought with him two hundred Indians with their bowes and arrowes. The Governour tooke thirtie horsemen, and eightie footemen, and they went to Saquechuma (for so was the Province called of that chiefe man, which he said had rebelled.) They found a walled towne, without any men: and those which went with the Cacique set fire on the houses, to dissemble their treason. But by reason of the great care and heedfulnesse, that was as well in the Governours people which hee carried with him, as of those which remained in Chicaça, they durst not assault them at that time. The Governour invited the Cacique, and certaine principall Indians, and gave them hogges flesh to eate. And though they did not commonly use it, yet they were so greedie of it, that every night there came Indians to certaine houses a crossebow shot from the Camp, where the hogges lay, and killed, and carried away as many as they could. And three Indians were taken in the manner. Two of them the Governor commanded to be shot to death with arrowes; & and to cut off the hands of the other, & he sent him so handled to the Cacique. Who made as though it grieved him that they had offended the Governor, and that he was glad that he had executed that punishment on them. He lay in a plaine Countrie halfe a league from the place, where the Christians lodged. Foure horsemen went a stragling thither, to wit, Francisco Osorio, and a servant of the Marques of Astorga, called Reynoso, and two servants of the Governour, the one his page called Ribera, and the other Fuentes his Chamberlaine: and these had taken from the Indians some skinnes, and some mantles, wherewith they were offended, and forsooke their houses. The Governour knew of it, and commanded them to bee apprehended; and condemned to death Francisco Osorio, and the Chamberlaine as principals, and al of them to losse of goods. The Friers and Priests and other principall persons were earnest with him to pardon Francisco Osorio his life, & to moderate his sentence, which hee would not grant for any of them. While he was readie to command them to be drawne to the market place to cut off their heads, there came certaine Indians from the Cacique to complaine of them. John Ortiz, at the request of Baltasar de Gallegos and other persons, changed their words, and told the Governour, that the Cacique said, he had notice how his Lordship held those Christians in prison for his sake, and that they were in no fault, neither had they done him any wrong, and that if he would do him any favour, he should set them free. And he told the Indians; That the Governour said, he had them in prison, and that he would punish them in such sort, that they should bee an example to others. Hereupon the Governour commanded the prisoners to be loosed. Assoone as March was come, hee determined to depart from Chicaça, and demanded of the Cacique two hundred men for cariages. He sent him answere, that hee would speake with his principall men. Upon Twesday the eight of March, the Governour went to the towne where he was, to aske him for the men: Hee told him, he would send them the next day. Assoone as the Governour was come to Chicaça, he told Luys de Moscoso the Camp-master, that hee misliked the Indians, and that he should keepe a strong watch that night, which hee remembred but a little. The Indians came at the second watch in foure squadrons, every one by it selfe, and assoone as they were descried, they sounded a drum, and gave the assault with a great cry, and with so great celeritie, that presently they entred with the scoutes, that were somewhat distant from the Campe. And when they were perceived of them which were in the towne, halfe the houses were on fire, which they had kindled. That night three horsemen chanced to bee skouts, two of them were of base calling, and the worst men in all the Camp, and the other, which was a nephew of the Governour, which untill then was held for a tall man, shewed himselfe there as great a coward, as any of them: for all of them ran away. And the Indians without any resistance came and set the towne on fire; and taried without behind the doores for the Christians, which ran out of the houses, not having any leasure to arme themselves; and as they ran hither and thither amazed with the noise, and blinded with the smoke & flame of the fire, they knew not which way they went, neither could they light upon their weapons, nor saddle their horses, neither saw they the Indians that shot at them. Manie of the horses were burned in the stables, and those which could breake their halters gat loose. The disorder and flight was such, that every man fled which way he could, without leaving any to resist the Indians. But God, (which chastiseth his according to his pleasure, and in the greatest necessities and dangers sustaineth them with his hand,) so blinded the Indians, that they saw not what they had done, and thought that the horses which ran loose, were men on horsebacke, that gathered themselves together to set upon them. The Governour only rod on horsebacke, and with him a souldier called Tapia, and set upon the Indians, and striking the first he met with his lance, the saddle fell with him, which with haste was evill girded, and so hee fell from his horse. And all the people that were on foote were fled to a wood out of the towne, and there assembled themselves together. And because it was night, and that the Indians thought the horses were men on horsebacke which came to set upon them, as I said before, they fled; and one onely remained dead, and that was he whom the Governour slew with his lance. The towne lay all burnt to ashes. There was a woman burned, who, after shee and her husband were both gone out of their house, went in againe for certaine perles, which they had forgotten, and when she would have come out, the fire was so great at the doore that shee could not, neither could her husband succour her. Other three Christians came out of their lodgings so cruelly burned, that one of them died within three daies, and the other two were carried many daies each of them upon a couch betweene staves, which the Indians carried on their shoulders, for otherwise they could not travell. There died in this hurliburlie eleven Christians, and fiftie horses; and there remained an hundred hogges, and foure hundred were burned. If any perchance had saved any clothes from the fire of Mauilla, here they were burned, and many were clad in skinnes, for they had no leasure to take their coates. They endured much cold in this place, and the chiefest remedie were great fires. They spent all night in turnings without sleepe: for if they warmed one side, they freesed on the other. Some invented the weaving of certaine mats of drie ivie, & did weare one beneath, and another above: many laughed at this device, whom afterward necessitie inforced to doe the like. The Christians were so spoiled, and in such want of saddles & weapons which were burned, that if the Indians had come the second night, they had overcome them with little labour. They remooved thence to the towne where the Cacique was wont to lie, because it was in a champion countrie. Within eight daies after, there were many lances and and saddles made. There were ashtrees in those parts, whereof they made as good lances as in Biscay.Great and walled townes.18. of November.Taliepataua.Cabusto.A great River.Canavarales.Some townes.A River.December 17.ChicaçaSnow and much cold.Conies.An Indian stratageme.Saquechuma.A walled towne.March, 1541.Chicaça set on fire by the Indians.The increase of hogges.The towne where the Cacique lay.Ashtrees.

CHAP. XXI. How the Indians set againe upon the Christians, and how the Governour went to Alimamu, beyond which towne in warlike sort they tarried for him in the way.

UPon Wednesday the 15. of March 1541. after the Governour had lodged 8. daies in a plaine, halfe a league from the place which he had wintered in, after he had set up a forge, and tempered the swords which in Chicaça were burned, and made many targets, saddles; and lances, on Tuesday night, at the morning watch, many Indians came to assault the Campe in three squadrons, every one by themselves: Those which watched gave the alarme. The Governour with great speed set his men in order in other three squadrons, and leaving some to defend the Campe, went out to incounter them. The Indians were overcome and put to flight. The ground was champion and fit for the Christians to take the advantage of them; and it was now breake of day. But there happened a disorder, whereby there were not past thirtie or fortie Indians slaine: and this it was: that a Frier cried out in the Campe without any just occasion, To the Campe, To the Campe: Whereupon the Governour and all the rest repaired thither, and the Indians had time to save themselves. There were some taken, by whom the Governour informed himselfe of the Countrie, through which hee was to passe. The 25. of Aprill, he departed from Chicaça, and lodged at a small towne called Alimamu. They had very little Maiz, and they were to passe a desert of seven daies journie. The next day, the Governour sent three Captaines everie one his way with horsemen and footemen to seeke provision to passe the desert. And John Dannusco the Auditor went with fifteene horsemen, and 40. footemen that way that the Governour was to goe, and found a strong fort made, where the Indians staied for him, and many of them walked on the top of it with their weapons, having their bodies, thighes and armes okered and died with blacke, white, yellow and red, striped like unto panes, so that they shewed as though they went in hose and doublets: and some of them had plumes, and others had hornes on their heads, and their faces blacke, and their eyes done round about with strakes of red, to seeme more fierce. Assoone as they saw that the Christians approched, with a great crie sounding two drummes with great furie they sallied foorth to receive them. John Dannusco and those that were with him, thought good to avoid them, and to acquaint the Governour therewith. They retired to a plaine place, a crossebowshot from the fort in sight of it, the footemen, the crossebowmen, and targetters placed themselves before the horsemen, that they might not hurt the horses. The Indians sallied out by seven and seven, and eight and eight to shoote their arrowes, and retired againe: and in sight of the Christians they made a fire, and tooke an Indian, some by the feete, and some by the head, and made as though they went to cast him into the fire, and gave him first many knocks on the head: signifying, that they meant so to handle the Christians. John Danusco sent three horsemen to advertise the Governour hereof. He came presently: for his intent was to drive them from thence, saying, that if he did it not, they would be emboldned to charge him another time, when they might doe him more harme. He made the horsemen to alight, and set his men in foure squadrons: The signe being given, they set upon the Indians, which made resistance till the Christians came neere the fort, and assoone as they saw they could not defend themselves, by a place where a brooke passed neere the fort, they ran away, and from the otherside they shot some arrowes: and because at that instant we knew no ford for the horses to passe, they had time enough to get out of our danger. Three Indians were slaine there, and many Christians were hurt, whereof within few daies, there died fifteene by the way. All men thought the Governour to bee in fault, because he sent not to see the disposition of the place on the other side of the River, and to know the passage before hee set upon them. For with the hope they had to save themselves by flight that way, when they saw none other means, they fought til they were broken, and it was an incouragement to defend themselves untill then, and to offend the Christians without any danger to themselves.25. of Aprill.Alimamu.Black, white, yellow and red colours.

CHAP. XXII. How the Governour went from Alimamu to Quizquiz, and from thence to Rio Grande, or the great River.

THree daies after they had sought some Maiz, whereof they found but little store, in regard of that which was needful, and that for this cause, as well for their sakes that were wounded, it was needfull for them to rest, as for the great journie they were to march to come where store of Maiz was: yet the Governour was inforced to depart presentlie toward Quizquiz. He travelled seven daies through a desert of many marishes and thicke woods: but it might all be travelled on horsebacke, except some lakes which they swamme over. Hee came to a towne of the Province of Quizquiz without being descried, and tooke all the people in it before they came out of their houses. The mother of the Cacique was taken there: and he sent unto him by an Indian, that he should come to see him, and that he would give him his mother, and al the people which he had taken there. The Cacique sent him answere againe, that his Lordship should loose and send them to him, and that he would come to visit and serve him. The Governour, because his people for want of Maiz were somewhat weake and wearie, and the horses also were leane, determined to accomplish his request, to see if hee could have peace with him, and so commanded to set free his mother and all the rest, and with loving words dismissed them and sent them to him. The next day, when the Governour expected the Cacique, there came many Indians with their bowes and arrowes with a purpose to set upon the Christians. The Governor had commanded all the horsemen to be armed, and on horsebacke, and in a readines. When the Indians saw that they were readie, they staied a crossebow shot from the place where the Governour was neere a brooke. And after halfe and houre that they had stood there stil, there came to the Camp sixe principall Indians, and said, they came to see what people they were, and that long agoe, they had been informed by their forefathers, That a white people should subdue them: and that therefore they would returne to their Cacique, and bid him come presently to obey and serve the Governour: and after they had presented him with sixe or seven skinnes and mantles which they brought, they tooke their leave of him, and returned with the other, which waited for them by the brookes side. The Cacique never came againe nor sent other message. And because in the towne where the Governour lodged, there was small store of Maiz, he remooved to another halfe a league from Rio Grande, where they found plenty of Maiz: And he went to see the River, and found, that neere unto it was great store of timber to make barges, and good situation of ground to incampe in. Presently he remooved himselfe thither. They made houses, and pitched their Campe in a plaine field a crossebow shot from the River. And thither was gathered all the Maiz of the townes, which they had latelie passed. They began presently to cut and hew down timber, and to saw plankes for barges. The Indians came presently down the River: they leaped on shore, and declared to the Governour, That they were subjects of a great Lord, whose name was Aquixo, who was Lord of many townes, and governed many people on the other side of the River, and came to tell him on his behalfe, that the next day he with al his men would come to see, what it would please him to command him. The next day with speed, the Cacique came with two hundred canoes full of Indians with their bowes and arrowes, painted, and with great plumes of white feathers, and many other colours, with shields in their hands, wherewith they defended the rowers on both sides, and the men of warre stood from the head to the sterne, with their bowes and arrowes in their hands. The canoe wherein the Cacique was, had a tilt over the sterne, and hee sate under the tilt; and so were other canoes of the principall Indians. And from under the tilt where the chiefe man sat, hee governed and commanded the other people. All joyned together, and came within a stones cast of the shore. From thence the Cacique said to the Governour, which walked along the Rivers side with others that waited on him, that he was come thither to visit, to honour, and to obey him; because he knew he was the greatest and mightiest Lord on the earth: therefore he would see what he would command him to doe. The Governour yeelded him thankes. and requested him to come on shore, that they might the better communicate together. And without any answere to that point, hee sent him three canoes, wherein was great store of fish and loaves, made of the substance of prunes like unto brickes. After he had received al he thanked him, and prayed him againe to come on shore. And because the Caciques purpose was, to see if with dissimulation he might doe some hurt, when they saw that the Governour and his men were in readinesse, they began to goe from the shore: and with a great crie, the crossebowmen which were ready, shot at them, and slue five or sixe of them. They retired with great order: none did leave his oare, though the next to him were slaine, and shielding themselves, they went farther off. Afterward they came many times and landed: and when any of us came toward them, they fled unto their canoes, which were verie pleasant to behold: for they were very great and well made, and had their tilts, plumes, paveses, and flagges, and with the multitude of people that were in them, they seemed to be a faire armie of gallies. In thirtie daies space, while the Governour remained there, they made foure barges: In three of which he commanded twelve horsemen to enter, in each of them foure; in a morning, three houres before they, men which hee trusted would land in despight of the Indians, and make sure the passage, or die, and some footemen being crossebowmen went with them, and rowers to set them on the other side. And in the other barge he commanded John de Guzman to passe with the footemen, which was made Captaine in stead of Francisco Maldonado. And because the streame was swift, they went a quarter of a league up the River along the bancke, and crossing over, fell downe with the streame, and landed right over against the Camp. Two stones cast before they came to land, the horsemen went out of the barges on horsebacke to a sandie plot very hard and cleere ground, where all of them landed without any resistance. Assoone as those that passed first, were on land on the other side, the barges returned to the place where the Governour was: and within two houres after Sunne-rising, all the people were over. The River was almost halfe a league broad. If a man stood still on the other side, it could not be discerned, whether he were a man or no. The River was of great depth, and of a strong current: the water was alwaies muddie: there came downe the River continually many trees and timber, which the force of the water and streame brought downe. There was great store of fish in it of sundrie sorts, and the most of it differing from the freshwater fish of Spaine, as hereafter shall be shewed.A desert seven daies.A towne of Quizquiz.An old prophecie.Another towne.Rio Grande, or Rio de Espiritu Santo.Aquixo, a great Lord on the West side of Rio grande.Two hundred canoes.Loves made of prunes.Goodly great canoes.Four barges made.They passe over Rio Grande.The River here almost halfe a league broad.

CHAP. XXIII. How the Governour departed from Aquixo to Casqui, and from thence to Pacaha: and how this Countrie differeth from that which we had passed.

HAving passed Rio grande, the Governour travelled a league and an halfe, and came to a great towne of Aquixo, which was dispeopled before hee came thither. They espied thirtie Indians comming over a plaine, which the Cacique sent, to discover the Christians determination: and assoone as they had sight of them, they tooke themselves to flight. The horsemen pursued them, and slue tenne, and tooke fifteene. And because the towne, whither the Governour went, was neere unto the River, he sent a Captaine, with as many men as be thought sufficient to carrie the barges up the River. And because in his travelling by land many times he went farre from the River to compasse the creekes that came from it, the Indians tooke occasion to set upon them of the barges, and put them in great danger, because that by reason of the great current, they durst not leave the shore, and from the bancke they shot at them. Assoone as the Governour was come to the towne, hee presently sent crossebow men downe the River, which came to rescue them: and upon the comming of the barges to the towne, hee commanded them to bee broken, and to save the iron for others, when it should bee needfull. Hee lay there one night, and the day following, hee set forward to seeke a Province, called Pacaha: which hee was informed to hee neere unto Chisca where the Indians told him there was gold. He passed through great townes of Aquixo, which were all abandoned for feare of the Christians. Hee understood by certaine Indians that were taken, that three daies journie from thence dwelt a great Cacique, whose name was Casqui. Hee came to a small River, where a bridge was made, by which they passed: that day till Sunset, they went all in water, which in som places came to the waste, and in some to the knees. When they saw themselves on dry land, they were very glad, because they feared they should wander up and downe as forlorne men al night in the water. At noone they came to the first towne of Casqui: they found the Indians carelesse, because they had no knowledge of them. There were many men and women taken, and store of goods, as mantles and skinnes, as well in the first town, as in another, which stood in a field halfe a league from thence in sight of it; whither the horsemen ran. This Countrie is higher, drier, and more champion, then any part bordering neere the River, that untill they they had seene. There were in the fields many Walnut trees bearing soft shelled Walnuts in fashion like bullets, and in the houses they found many of them, which the Indians had laid up in store. The trees differed in nothing else from those of Spaine, nor from those which we had seene before, but onely that they have a smaller leafe. There were many Mulberrie trees and Plum trees, which bare red plums like those of Spaine, and other gray, somewhat differing, but farre better. And all the trees are all the yeere so fruitfull, as if they were planted in orchards: and the woods were verie thinne. The Governour travelled two daies through the Countrie of Casqui, before hee came to the towne where the Cacique was: and the most of the way was alway by champion ground, which was full of great townes, so that from one towne, you might see two or three. He sent an Indian to certifie the Cacique, that hee was comming to the place where hee was, with intent to procure his friendship, and to hold him as his brother. Whereunto he answered, That he should be welcome, and that he would receive him with speciall good wil, and accomplish all that his Lordship would command him. Hee sent him a present upon the way; to wit, skinnes, mantles, and fish: And after these complements, the Governour found all the townes, as he passed, inhabited with people, which peaceablie attended his comming, and offered him skinnes, mantles, and fish. The Cacique accompanied with many Indians came out of the towne, and staied halfe a league on the way to receive the Governour, and when hee came to him, he spake these words following:A towne.Pacaha neere unto Chisca.Great townes.The first towne of Casqui.Another towne.Walnut trees with soft shels.Many Mulberrie trees and plum trees.Many great townes.

Right high, right mighty, and renowned Lord, your Lordship is most hartilie welcome. Assoone as I had notice of your Lordship, of your power, and your perfections, although you came into my Countrie, killing and taking captives the inhabitants thereof and my subjects: yet I determined to conforme my will unto yours, and as your owne to interpret in good part all that your Lordship did: beleeving, that it was convenient it should be so for some just respect, to prevent some future matter revealed unto your Lordship, and concealed from me. For well may a mischiefe be permitted to avoid a greater, and that good may come thereof: which I beleeve will so fall out. For it is no reason to presume of so excellent a Prince, that the noblenesse of his heart, and the effect of his will would permit him to suffer any unjust thing. My abilitie is so small to serve you as your Lordship deserveth, that if you respect not mine abundant goodwill, which humblie offereth all kind of service, I deserve but little in your presence. But if it bee reason that this be esteemed, receive the same, my selfe, my Countrie, and subjects for yours, and dispose of me and them at your pleasure. For if I were Lord of all the world, with the same good will should your Lordship by me be received, served and obeyed.

The Governour answered him to the purpose, and satisfied him in few words. Within a while after both of them used words of great offers & courtesie the one to the other, and the Cacique requested him to lodge in his houses. The Governour, to preserve the peace the better, excused himselfe, saying, that hee would lodge in the fields. And because it was very hot, they camped neere certaine trees a quarter of a league from the towne. The Cacique went to his towne, and came againe with many indians singing. Assoone as they came to the Governour, all of them prostrated themselves upon the ground. Among these came two Indians that were blind. The Cacique made a speech: to avoid tediousnesse, I will onely tell in few words the substance of the matter. Hee said, that seeing the Governour was the sonne of the Sunne, and a great Lord, he besought him to doe him the favour to give sight to those two blind men. The blind men rose up presently, and very earnestly requested the same of the Governour. He answered, That in the high heavens was he that had power to give them health, and whatsoever they could aske of him; whose servant he was: And that this Lord made the heavens and the earth, and man after his owne likenesse, and that he suffered upon the crosse to save mankind, and rose againe the third day, And that he died as he was man, and as touching his divinitie, he was, and is immortall; and that he ascended into heaven, where he standeth with his armes open to receive all such as turne unto him: and straightway he commanded him to make a verie high crosse of wood, which was set up in the highest place of the towne; declaring unto him, that the Christians worshipped the same in resemblance and memorie of that whereon Christ suffered. The Governour and his men kneeled downe before it, and the Indians did the like. The Governour willed him, that from thencefoorth hee should worship the same, and should aske whatsoever they stood in need of, of that Lord that he told him was in heaven. Then he asked him how far it was from thence to Pacaha: He said, one daies journie, and that at the end of his Countrie, there was a lake like a brooke which falleth into Rio Grande, and that hee would send men before to make a bridge whereby he might passe. The same day that the Governour departed thence, he lodged at a towne belong to Casqui: and the next day hee passed in sight of other townes, and came to the lake, which was half a crossebow shot over, of a great depth and current. At the time of his comming, the Indians had made an end of the bridge, which was made of timber, laid one tree after another: and on one side it had a course of stakes higher then the bridge, for them that passed to take hold on. The Cacique of Casqui came to the Governour, and brought his people with him. The Governour sent word by an Indian to the Cacique of Pacaha, that though hee were enemie to the Cacique of Casqui, and though hee were there, yet he would doe him no disgrace nor hurt, if he would attend him peaceablie, and embrace his friendship; but rather would intreate him as a brother. The Indian, which the Governour sent, came againe, and said, that the Cacique made none account of that which hee told him, but fled with all his men out at the other side of the towne. Presentlie the Governour entred, and ran before with the horsemen, that way, by which the Indians fled; and at another towne distant a quarter of a league from thence, they tooke many Indians: and assoone as the horsemen had taken them, they delivered them to the Indians of Casqui, whom, because they were their enemies, with much circumspection and rejoycing, they brought to the towne where the Christians were: and the greatest griefe they had, was this, that they could not get leave to kill them. There were found in the town many mantles, and Deere skins, Lion skins, and Beares skinnes, and many Cats skins. Many came so farre poorely appareled, and there they clothed themselves: of the mantles, they made them cotes and cassocks, and some made gownes, and lined them with Cats skins; and likewise their cassocks. Of the Deeres skinnes, some made them also jerkins, shirts, hose and shooes: and of the Beare skinnes, they made them verie good clokes: for no water could pierce them. There were targets of raw oxe hides found there; with which hides they armed their horses.The chiefe towne of the Cacique of Casqui.A towne belonging to Casqui.Other towns.Another towne.Mantles, Deeres skins, Lions skinnes, Beares skins, and Cats skinnes.Targets of raw oxe hides.

CHAP. XXIIII. How the Cacique of Pacaha came peaceablie to the Governour, and the Cacique of Casqui absented himselfe, and came againe to make his excuse, and how the Governour made them both friends.

UPon Wednesday, the 19. of June, the Governour entred into Pacaha: He Lodged in the towne, where the Cacique used to reside, which was very great, walled, and beset with towers, and many loopeholes were in the towers and wall. And in the towne was great store of old Maiz, and great quantitie of new in the fields. Within a league and halfe a league were great townes all walled. Where the Governour was lodged, was a great lake, that came neere unto the wall: and it entred into a ditch that went round about the towne, wanting but a little to environ it round. From the lake to the great River was made a weare by the which the fish came into it; which the Cacique kept for his recreation and sport: with nets, that were found in the towne, they tooke as much as they would: and tooke they never so much, there was no want perceived. There was also great store of fish in many other lakes that were thereabout, but it was soft, and not so good as that which came from the Rivers, and the most of it was different from the fresh water fish of Spaine. There was a fish which they called Bagres: the third part of it was head, and it had on both sides the gilles, and along the sides great pricks like very sharpe aules: those of this kind that were in the lakes were as big as pikes: and in the River, there were some of an hundred, and of an hundred and fiftie pounds weight, and many of them were taken with the hooke. There was another fish like barbilles; and another like breames, headed like a delicate fish called in Spaine besugo, betweene red and gray. This was there of most esteeme. There was another fish called pele fish: it had a snout of a cubit long, and at the end of the upper lip it was made like a peele. There was another fish like a Westerne shad: And all of them had scales, except the bagres, and the pele fish. There was another fish, which sometimes the Indians brought us, of the bignes of an hog, they called it the Pereo fish: it had rowes of teeth beneath and above. The Cacique of Casqui sent many times great presents of fish, mantles, and skinnes. Hee told the Governour, that he would deliver the Cacique of Pacaha into his hands. He went to Casqui, and sent many canoes up the River, and came himselfe by land with many of his people. The Governour with 40. horsemen, and 60. footemen tooke him along with him up the River. And his Indians which were in the canoes, discovered where the Cacique of Pacaha was in a little Island, situated betweene two armes of the River. And five Christians entred into a canoe, wherein Don Antonio Osorio went before, to see what people the Cacique had with him. There were in the Isle five or sixe thousand soules. And assoone as they saw them, supposing that the Indians which were in the other canoes were also Christians, the Cacique, and certaine which were in three canoes, which they had there with them, fled in great haste to the other side of the River: The rest with great feare and danger, lept into the River, where much people was drowned, especially women, and little children. Presently the Governour which was on land, not knowing what had happened to Don Antonio, and those that went with him, commanded the Christians with all speed to enter with the Indians of Casqui in the canoes, which were quickly with Don Antonio in the little Island, where they tooke many men and women, and much goods. Great store of goods, which the Indians had laid upon hurdles of canes, and rafts of timber to carrie over to the other side, drave down the River, wherewith the Indians of Casqui filled their canoes: and for feare lest the Christians would take it from them, the Cacique went home with them downe the River, without taking his leave of the Governour: whereupon the Governour was highly offended with him: and presently returning to Pacaha, he overran the Countrie of Casqui the space of two leagues, where hee tooke twentie or thirtie of his men. And because his horses were wearie, and he wanted time that day to goe any farther, hee returned to Pacaha, with determination within three or foure daies after to invade Casqui. And presently he let loose one of the Indians of Pacaha, and sent word by him to the Cacique, that if hee would have his friendship, he should repaire unto him, and that both of them would make warre upon Casqui. And presently came many Indians that belonged to Pacaha, and brought an Indian, in stead of the Cacique, which was discovered by the Caciques brother which was taken prisoner. The Governour wished the Indians that their Master himselfe should come: for hee knew very well that that was not hee, and told them, that they could doe nothing, which he knew not before they thought it. The next day the Cacique came, accompanied with many Indians, and with a present of much fish; skinnes and mantles. He made a speech that all were glad to heare and concluded saying, That though his Lordship, without giving occasion of offence had done him hurt in his Countrie and subjects, yet he would not therefore refuse to bee his, and that he would alwaies be at his commandement. The Governour commanded his brother to be loosed, and other principall Indians that were taken prisoners. That day came an Indian from the Cacique of Casqui, and said, that his Lord would come the next day to excuse himselfe of the error which he had committed, in going away without licence of the Governour. The Governour willed the messenger to signifie unto him, that if he came not in his owne person, he would seeke him himselfe, and give him such punshment as he deserved. The next day with all speede came the Cacique of Casqui, and brought a present to the Governour of many mantles, skinnes, and fish, and gave him a daughter of his, saying, that he greatly desired to match his blood with the blood of so great a Lord as he was, and therefore he brought him his daughter, and desired him to take her to his wife. Hee made a long and discreet oration, giving him great commendations, and concluded, saying, that hee should pardon his going away without licence, for that Crosses sake, which he had left with him: protesting, that hee went away for shame of that which his men had done without his consent. The Governour answered him, that hee had chosen a good patrone; and if he had not come to excuse himselfe, hee had determined to seeke him, to burne his townes, to kill him and his people, and to destroy his Countrie. To which he replied, saying:Pacaha, a very great towne beset with towers.Great walled townes.Nets found.The divers sorts of excellent fish in Rio Grande.Five or sixe thousand Indians.The Cacique of Pacaha commeth to the Governour.

My Lord, I and mine are yours, and my Countrie likewise is yours: therefore if you had done so, you should have destroyed your owne Countrie, and have killed your own people: whatsoever shall come unto me from your hand, I will receive as from my Lord, aswell punishment as reward: And know you, that the favour which you did me in leaving me the Crosse, I do acknowledge the same to be a very great one, and greater then I have ever deserved. For you shall understand, that with great droughts, the fields of Maiz of my Countrie were withered; and assoone as I and my people kneeled before the Crosse, and prayed for raine, presently our necessitie was relieved.

The Governour made him, and the Cacique of Pacaha friends; and set them with him at his table to dine with him: and the Caciques fell at variance about the seates, which of them should sit on his right hand. The Governour pacified them; telling them, that among the Christians, all was one to sit on the one side, or on the other, willing them so to behave themselves, seeing they were with him, that no bodie might heare them, and that every one should sit in the place that first hee lighted on. From thence he sent thirtie horsemen, and fiftie footemen to the Province of Caluça, to see if from thence hee might travel to Chisca, where the Indians said, there was a worke of gold and copper. They travelled seven daies journie through a desert, and returned verie wearie, eating greene plums and stalkes of Maiz, which they found in a poore towne of sixe or seven houses. From thence forward toward the North; the Indians said, That the Country was very ill inhabited, because it was very cold: And that there were such store of Oxen, that they could the keepe no corne for them: that the Indians lived upon their flesh. The Governor seeing, that toward that part the Countrie was so poore of Maiz, that in it they could not bee sustained, demanded of the Indians, which way it was most inhabited: and they said, they had notice of a great Province, and a very plentifull Countrie, which was called Qaigaute, and that it was toward the South.Gold and copper in Chisca.A poore towne.Great store of Oxen toward the North of Pachaha.This is like Quivera.

CHAP. XXV. How the Governour departed from Pacaha to Quigaute, and to Coligoa, and came to Cayas.

THe Governour rested in Pacaha fortie daies. In all which time the two Caciques served him with great store of fish, mantles, and skinnes, and strove who should doe him greatest service. At the time of his departure, the Cacique of Pacaha gave him two of his sisters, saying, that in signe of love that he might remember him, he should take them for his wives: the ones name was Macanoche, and the others Mochila: they were well proportioned, tall of bodie, and well fleshed. Macanoche was of a good countenance, and in her shape and physiognomie looked like a Ladie: the other was strongly made. The Cacique of Casqui commanded the bridge to be repaired, and the Governour returned through his Countrey, and lodged in the field neere his towne, whither hee came with great store of fish, and two women, which hee exchanged with two Christians for two shirts. He gave us a guide and men for cariages. The Governour lodged at a towne of his, and the next day at another neere a River, whither he caused canoes to be brought for him to passe over, and with his leave returned. The Governour tooke his journie toward Quigaute. The fourth day of August, he came to the towne, where the Cacique used to keep his residencie: on the way he sent him a present of many mantles and skinnes, and not daring to stay for him in the towne, he absented himselfe. The towne was the greatest that was seene in Florida. The Governour and his people lodged in the one halfe of it: and within few daies, seeing the Indians became liars, he commanded the other halfe to be burned, because it should not bee a shelter for them, if they came to assault him by night, nor an hindrance to his horsemen for the resisting of them. There came an Indian very well accompanied with many Indians, saying, that hee was the Cacique. He delivered him over to the men of his guard to look unto him. There went and came many Indians, and brought mantles and skinnes. The counterfeit Cacique, seeing so little opportunitie to execute his evill thought, as hee went one day abroad talking with the Governour, he shewed him such a paire of heeles, that there was no Christian that could overtake him, and he leaped into the River, which was a crossebow shot from the towne: and assoone as hee was on the other side, many Indians that were there about making a great crie began to shoote. The Governour passed presently over to them with horsemen and footemen, but they durst not tarrie for him. Going forward on his way, hee came to a towne where the people were fled, and a little further to a lake, where the horses could not passe, and on the otherside were many women. The footemen passed, and tooke many of them, and much spoile. The Governour came to the Camp: And that night was a spie of the Indians taken by them of the watch. The Governour asked him, whether he would bring him where the Cacique was? he said, he would. And he went presently to seeke him with twentie horsemen, and fiftie footemen: and after he had sought him a day, and an halfe, hee found him in a strong wood: And a souldiour not knowing him, gave him a wound on the head; and he cried out, that he should not kill him, saying, that he was the Cacique: so he was taken, & an hundred and fortie of his men with him. The Governour came againe to Quigaute, and willed him to cause his men to come to serve the Christians: and staying some daies for their comming, and seeing they came not, he sent two Captaines, every one his way on both sides of the River with horsemen and footemen. They tooke many men and women. Now seeing the hurt which they sustained for their rebellion, they came to see what the Governour would command them, and passed to and fro many times, and brought presents of cloth and fish. The Cacique and his two wives were in the lodging of the Governour loose, and the halbardiers of his guard did keepe them. The Governour asked them which way the Countrie was most inhabited? They said, that toward the South downe the River, were great townes and Caciques, which commanded great Countries, and much people: And that toward the Northwest, there was a Province neere to certaine mountaines, that was called Coligoa. The Governour and all the rest thought good to goe first to Coligoa: saying, that peraventure the mountains would make some difference of soile, and that beyond them there might be some gold or silver: As for Quigaute, Casqui, and Pacaha, they were plaine Countries, fat grounds, and full of good medowes on the Rivers, where the Indians sowed large fields of Maiz. From Tascaluca to Rio grande, or the great River, is about 300. leagues: it is a very low Countrie, and hath many lakes. From Pacaha to Quigaute may be an hundred leagues. The Governour left the Cacique of Quigaute in his owne towne: And an Indian, which was his guide, led him through great woods without any way seven daies journie through a desert, where, at every lodging, they lodged in lakes and pooles in verie shold water: there was such store of fish, that they killed them with cudgils; and the Indians which they carried in chaines, with the mud troubled the waters, and the fish being therewith, as it were, astonied, came to the top of water, and they tooke as much as they listed. The Indians of Coligoa had no knowledge of the Christians, & when they came so neere the towne, that the Indians saw them, they fled up a River, which passed neere the towne, and some leaped into it; but the Christians went on both sides of the River, and tooke them. There were many men and women taken, and the Cacique with them. And by his commandement within three daies came many Indians with a present of mantles and Deeres skinnes, and two oxe hides: And they reported, that 5. or 6. leagues from thence toward the North, there were many of these oxen, and that because the Countrie was cold, it was evill inhabited: That the best Countrie which they knew, the most plentifull, and most inhabited, was a Province called Cayas, lying toward the south. From Quiguate to Coligoa may be 40. leagues. This towne of Coligoa stood at the foote of an hill, on the bank of a meane River, of the bignesse of Cayas, the River that passeth by Estremadura. It was a fat soile and so plentifull of Maiz, that they cast out the old, to bring in the new. There was also great plentie of French beanes and pompions. The French beanes were greater, and better then those of Spaine, and likewise the pompions, and being rosted, they have almost the taste of chestnuts. The Cacique of Coligoa gave a guide to Cayas, and staied behind in his owne towne. Wee travelled five daies, and came to the Province of Palisema. The house of the cacique was found covered with Deeres skinnes of divers colours and works drawne in them, and with the same in manner of carpets was the ground of the house covered. The Cacique left it so, that the Governour might lodge in it, in token that he sought peace and his friendship. But hee durst not tarrie his comming. The Governour, seeing he had absented himselfe, sent a Captaine with horsemen and footemen to seeke him: Hee found much people, but by reason of the roughnesse of the Countrie, he tooke none save a few women and children. The towne was little and scattering, and had very little Maiz. For which cause the Governour speedilie departed from thence. Hee came to another towne called Tatalilcoya, hee carried with him the Cacique thereof, which guided him to Cayas. From Tatalicoya are foure daies journie to Cayas. When hee came to Cayas, and saw the towne scattered: hee thought they had told him a lie, and that it was not the Province of Cayas, because they had informed him that it was well inhabited: He threatned the Cacique, charging him to tell him where hee was: and he and other Indians which were taken neere about that place, affirmed that this was the towne of Cayas, and the best that was in that Countrie, and that though the houses were distant the one from the other, yet the ground that was inhabited was great, and that there was great store of people, and many fields of Maiz. This towne was called Tanico: he pitched his Campe in the best part of it neere unto a River. The same day that the Governour came thither, he went a league farther with certaine horsemen, and without finding any people, hee found many skinnes in a pathway, which the Cacique had left there, that they might bee found, in token of peace. For so is the custome in that Countrie.The caciques towne.A towne of Casqui.Another towne.Quigaute.The fourth of August.The greatest towne seene in Florida.A towne.Cloth.Coligoa neere to certaine mountaines Northwest.A new way to take fish.Coligoa.A River.Two oxe hides.Store of oxen toward the North.Fome Quiguate to Coligoa are 40. leagues.The Province of Palisema.Tatalicoya.Cayas.Tanico.

CHAP. XXVI. How the Governour discovered the Province of Tulla, and what happened unto him.

THe Governour rested a moneth in the Province of Cayas. In which time the horses fattened and thrived more, then in other places in a longer time, with the great plentie of Maiz and the leaves thereof, which I thinke was the best that hath been seene, and they dranke of a lake of very hot water, and somewhat brackish, and they dranke so much, that it swelled in their bellies when they brought them from the watering. Untill that time the Christians wanted salt, and there they made good store, which they carried along with them. The Indians doe carrie it to other places to exchange it for skinnes and mantles. They make it along the River, which when it ebbeth, leaveth it upon the upper part of the sand. And because they cannot make it, without much sand mingled with it, they throw it into certaine baskets which they have for that purpose, broad at the mouth, and narrow at the bottom, and set it in the aire upon a barre, and throw water into it, and set a small vessell under it, wherein it falleth: Being strained and set to boile upon the fire, when the water is sodden away, the salt remaineth in the bottome of the pan. On both sides of the River the Countrie was full of sowne fields, and there was store of Maiz. The Indians durst not come over where wee were: &. when some of them shewed themselves, the souldiers that saw them called unto them; then the Indians passed the River, and came with them where the Governor was. He asked them for the Cacique. They said, that he remained quiet, but that he durst not shew himselfe. The Governour presently sent him word, that he should come unto him, and bring him a guide and an interpretour for his journie, if he made account of his friendship: and if he did not so, he would come himselfe to seeke him, and that it would bee the worse for him. Hee waited three daies, and seeing he came not, he went to seeke him, and brought him prisoner with 150. of his men. He asked him, whether hee had notice of any great Cacique, & which way the Countrie was best inhabited. Hee answered, that the best Countrie thereabout was a Province toward the South, a day and an halfes journie, which was called Tulla; and that he could give him a guide, but no interpretour, because the speech of that Countrie was different from his, and because he and his ancesters had alwaies warres with the Lords of that Province; therefore they had no commerce, nor understood one anothers language. Immediately the Governour with certaine horsemen, and 50. footemen, departed toward Tulla, to see if the Countrie were such, as hee might passe through it with all his companie: and assoone as he arrived there, ann was espied of the Indians, the Countrie gathered together, and assoone as 15. and 20. Indians could assemble themselves, they set upon the Christians: and seeing that they did handle them shrewdly, and that the horsemen overtooke them when they fled, they gat up into the tops of their houses, and sought to defend themselves with their arrowes: and being beaten downe from one, they gat up upon another. And while our men pursued some, others set upon them another way. Thus the skirmish lasted so long, that the horses were tired, and they could not make them runne. The Indians killed there one horse, and some were hurt. There were 15. Indians slaine there, and 40. women and boies were taken prisoners. For whatsoever Indian did shoot at them, if they could come by him, they put him to the sword. The Governour determined to returne toward Cayas, before the Indians had time to gather a head; and presently that evening, going part of the night to leave Tulla, he lodged by the way, and the next day came to Cayas: and within three daies after he departed thence toward Tulla with all his companie: He carried the Cacique along with him and among all his men, there was not one found that could understand the speech of Tulla. He staied three daies by the way, and the day that he came thither, he found the towne abandoned: for the Indians durst not tarrie his comming. But assoone as they knew that the Governour was in Tulla, the first night about the morning watch, they came in two squadons two severall waies, with their bowes and arrowes, and long staves like pikes. Assoone as they were descried, both horse and root sallied out upon them, where many of the Indians were slaine: And some Christians and horses were hurt: Some of the Indians were taken their prisoners, whereof the Governour sent sixe to the Cacique, with their right hands and noses cut off: and sent him word, that if he came not to him to excuse and submit himselfe, that hee would come to seeke him, and that hee would doe the like to him, and as many of his as hee could find, as hee had done to those which hee had sent him: and gave him three daies respit for to come. And this he gave them to understand by signes, as well as hee could, for there was no interpretour. At the three daies end, there came an Indian laden with Oxe hides. He came weeping with great sobs, and comming to the Governonr cast himselfe downe at his feete: He tooke him up, and he made a speech, but there was none that understood him. The Governour by signes commanded him, to returne to the Cacique, and to will him, to send him an interpretor, which could understand the men of Cayas. The next day came three Indians laden with oxe hides; and within three daies after came 20. Indians, and among them one that understood them of Cayas: Who, after a long oration of excuses of the Cacique, and praises of the Governour, concluded with this, that he and the other were come thither on the Caciques behalfe, to see what his Lordship would command him to doe, for he was readie at his commandement. The Governour and all his companie were verie glad. For in no wise could they travell without an interpretour. The Governour commanded him to be kept safe, and bad him tell the men that came with him, that they shuld returne to the Cacique, and signifie unto him, that he pardoned him for that which was past, and thanked him much for his presents and interpretour, which he had sent him, and that he would bee glad to see him, and that he should come the next day to talke with him. After three daies, the Cacique came, and 80. Indians with him: and himselfe and his men came weeping into the Camp, in token of obedience and repentance for the errour passed, after the manner of that Countrie: He brought a present of many oxe hides: which, because the Countrie was cold, were verie profitable, and served for coverlets, because they were very soft, and wolled like sheepe. Not farre from thence toward the North were many oxen. The Christians saw the not, nor came into the Countrie where they were, because those parts were evill inhabited, and had small store of Maiz where they were bred. The Cacique of Tulla made an oration to the Governour, wherein he excused himselfe, and offered him his Countrie, subjects, and person. Aswell this Cacique as the others, and all those which came to the Governour on their behalfe, delivered their message or speech in so good order, that no oratour could utter the same more eloquentlie.A lake of hot and somewhat brackish water.Store of salt made at Cayas.Tulla.The Governor commeth againe to Tulla with all his companie.Indians have their right hands and noses cut off.oxe hides.The Cacique of Tulla.Many oxe hides with wooll on them, as soft as sheepes wooll. Gomara Histor. Gener. cap. 215.Many oxen toward the North.The great eloquence of the Indians.

CHAP. XXVII. How the Governour went from Tulla to Autiamque, where he passed the winter.

THe Governour enformed himselfe of all the Countrie round about; and understood, that toward the West was a scattered dwelling, and that toward the Southeast were great townes, especially in a Province called Autiamque, tenne daies journie from Tulla; which might be about 80. leagues; and that it was a plentifull Countrie of Maiz. And because winter came on, and that they could not travell two or three moneths in the yeere for cold, waters, and snow: and fearing, that if they should stay so long in the scattered dwelling, they could not be susteined; and also because the Indians said, that neere to Autiamque was a great water, and according to their relation, the Governour thought it was some arme of the Sea: And because he now desired to send newes or himselfe to Cuba, that some supplie of men & horses might be sent unto him: (for it was above three yeeres, since Donna Isabella, which was in Havana, or any other person in Christendome had heard of him, and by this time he had lost 250. men, and 150. horses he determined to winter in Autiamque, and the next spring to goe to the sea cost, and make two brigantines, and send one of them to Cuba, and the other to Nueva Espanna, that that which went in safetie, might give newes of him: Hoping with the goods which he had in Cuba, to furnish himselfe againe, and to attempt the discovery and conquest toward the West: for he had not yet come where Cabeça de Vaca had been. Thus having sent away the two Caciques of Cayas and Tulla, he tooke his journie toward Autiamque: Hee travelled five daies over rough moutaines, and came to a towne called Quipana, where no Indians could be taken for the roughnesse of the Countrie: and the towne being betweene hilles, there was an ambush laid, wherewith they tooke two Indians; which told them, that Autiamque was sixe daies journie from thence, and that there was another Province toward the South eight daies journie off, plentifull of Maiz, and very well peopled, which was called Guahate. But because Autiamque was neerer, and the most of the Indians agreed of it, the Governour made his journie that way. In three daies he came to a towne called Anoixi. He sent a Captaine before with 30. horsemen, and 50. footemen, and tooke the Indians carelesse, hee tooke many men and women prisoners. Within two daies after the Governour came to another towne called Catamaya, and lodged in the fields of the towne. Two Indians came with a false message from the Cacique to know his determination. Hee bad them tell their Lord, that hee should come and speake with him. The Indians returned and came no more, nor any other message from the Cacique. The next day the Christians went to the towne, which was without people; they tooke as much Maiz as they needed. That day they lodged in a wood, and the next day they came to Autiamque. They found much Maiz laid up in store, and French beanes, and walnuts, and prunes, great store of all sorts. They tooke some Indians which were gathering together the stuffe which their wives had hidden. This was a champion Countrie, and well inhabited. The Governour lodged in the best part of the towne, and commanded presently to make a fense of timber round about the Campe distant from the houses, that the Indians might not hurt them without by fire. And measuring the ground by pases, hee appointed every one his part to doe according to the number of Indians which he had: presently the timber was brought by them; and in three daies there was an inclosure made of very hie and thicke posts thrust into the ground, and many railes laid acrosse. Hard by this towne passed a River, that came out of the Province of Cayas; and above and beneath it was very well peopled. Thither came Indians on the Caciques behalfe with a present of mantles and skinnes; and an halting Cacique, subject to the Lord of Autiamque, Lord of a towne called Tietiquaquo, came many times to visit the Governour, and to bring him presents of such as hee had. The Cacique of Autiamque sent to know of the Governour, how long time hee meant to stay in his Countrie? And understanding that he meant to stay above three daies, he never sent any more Indians, nor any other message, but conspired with the lame Cacique to rebell. Divers inrodes were made, wherein there were many men and women taken, and the lame Cacique among the rest. The Governour respecting the services which he had received of him, reprehended and admonished him, and set him at libertie, and gave him two Indians to carrie him in a chaire upon their shoulders. The Cacique of Autiamque desiring to thrust the Governour out of his Countrie, set spies over him. And an Indian comming one night to the gate of the inclosure, a souldier that watched espied him, and stepping behind the gate, as he came in, he gave him such a thrust, that he fell downe; and so he carried him to the Governour: and as hee asked him wherefore he came, not being able to speake, hee fell downe dead. The night following the Governor commanded a souldiour to give the alarme, and to say that he had seene Indians, to see how ready they would be to answere the alarme. And hee did so sometimes as well there, as in other places, when he thought that his men were carelesse, & reprehended such as were slacke. And as well for this cause, as in regard of doing their dutie, when the alarme was given, every one sought to be the first that should answere. They staied in Autiumque three moneths with great plentie of Maiz, French beanes, Walnuts, Prunes, and Conies: which until that time they knew not how to catch. And in Autiamque the Indians taught them how to take them: which was, with great sprindges, which lifted up their feete from the ground: And the snare was made with a strong string, whereunto was fastened a knot of a cane, which ran close about the neck of the conie, because they should not gnaw the string. They tooke many in the fields of Maiz, especiallie when it freesed or snowed. The Christians staied there one whole moneth so inclosed with snow, that they went not out of the towne: and when they wanted firewood, the Governour with his horsemen going and comming many times to the wood, which was two crossebow shot from the towne, made a pathway, whereby the footemen went for wood. In this meane space, some Indians which went loose, killed many conies with their gives, and with arrowes. These conies were of two sorts, some were like those of Spaine, and the other of the same colour and fashion, and as big as great Hares, longer, and having greater loines.A winter of two or three moneths.Quipana, five daies journie from Tulla.Guahate.Anoixi.Catamaya.Autiamque sixe daies journie from Quipana.A River.Tietiquaquo.Great providence.Three moneths abode in Autiamque.Frost and snow.A moneth of snow.Conies of two sorts.

CHAP. XXVIII. How the Governour went from Autiamque to Nilco, and from thence to Guyacoya.

UPon Monday the sixt of March 1542, the Governour departed from Autiamque to seeke Nilco, which the Indians said was neere the Great river, with determination to come to the Sea, and procure some succour of men and horses: for hee had now but three hundred men of warre, and fortie horses, and some of them lame, which did nothing but helpe to make up the number: and for want of iron they had gone above a yeere unshod: and because they were used to it in the plaine countrie, it did them no great harme. John Ortiz died in Autiamque; which grieved the Governor very much: because that without an Interpretour hee feared to enter farre into the land, where he might be lost. From thence forward a youth that was taken in Cutifachiqui did serve for Interpretour, which had by that time learned somewhat of the Christians language. The death of John Ortiz was so great a mischiefe for the discovering inward, or going out of the land, that to learne of the Indians, that which in foure words hee declared, they needed a whole day with the youth: and most commonly hee understood quite contrarie that which was asked him: whereby it often happened that the way that they went one day, and sometimes two or three daies, they turned backe, and went astray through the wood here and there. The Governour spent ten daies in travelling from Autiamque to a province called Ayays; and came to a towne that stood neere the River that passeth by Cayas and Autiamque. There hee commanded a barge to be made, wherewith he passed the River. When he had passed the River there fell out such weather, that foure daies he could not travell for snow. Assoone as it gave over snowing, he went three daies journey through a Wildernesse, and a countrie so low, and so full of lakes and evill waies, that hee travelled one time a whole day in water, sometimes knee deepe, sometimes to the stirrup, and sometimes they swamme. He came to a towne called Tutelpinco, abandoned, and without Maiz: there passed by it a lake, that entred into the River, which carried a great streame and force of water. Five Christians passing over it in a periagua, which the Governour had sent with a Captaine, the periagua overset: some tooke hold on it, some on the trees that were in the lake. One Francis Sebastian, an honest man of Villa nova de Barca Rota, was drowned there. The Governour went a whole day along the lake seeking passage, and could finde none, nor any way that did passe to the other side. Comming againe at night to the towne hee found two peaceable Indians, which shewed him the passage, and which way hee was to goe. There they made of canes and of the timber of houses thatched with canes, rafts wherewith they passed the lake. They travelled three daies, and came to a towne of the territorie of Nilco, called Tianto. There they tooke thirtie Indians, and among them two principall men of this towne. The Governour sent a Captaine with horsemen and footmen before to Nilco, because the Indians might have no time to carrie away the provision. They passed through three or foure great townes; and in the towne where the Cacique was resident, which was two leagues from the place where the Governour remained, they found many Indians with their bowes and arrowes, in manner as though they would have staied to fight, which did compasse the towne; and assoone as they saw the Christians come neere them without misdoubting them, they set the Caciques house on fire, and fled over a lake that passed neere the towne, through which the horses could not passe. The next day being Wednesday the 29. of March the Governour came to Nilco: he lodged with all his men in the Caciques towne, which stood in a plaine field, which was inhabited for the space of a quarter of a league: and within a league and a halfe a league were other very great townes, wherein was great of Maiz, of French beanes, of Walnuts, and Prunes. This was the best inhabited countrie, that was seene in Florida, and had most store of Maiz, except Coca, and Apalache. There came to the campe an Indian accompanied with others, and in the Caciques name gave the Governour a mantle of Marterns skinnes, and a cordon of perles. The Governour gave him a few small Margarites, which are certaine beades much esteemed in Peru, and other things, wherewith he was very well contented. He promised to returne within two daies, but never came againe: but on the contrarie the Indians came by night in canoes, and carried away all the Maiz they could, and made them cabins on the other side of the River in the thickest of the wood, because they might flee if wee should goe to seeke them. The Governour, seeing hee came not at the time appointed, commanded an ambush to be laid about certaine store-houses neere the lake, whither the Indians came for Maiz: where they tooke two Indians, who told the Governour, that hee which came to visit him, was not the Cacique, but was sent by him under pretence to spie whether the Christians were carelesse, and whether they determined to settle in that country or to goe forward. Presently the Governour sent a Captaine with footmen and horsemen over the river; and in their passage they were descried of the Indians, and therefore he could take but tenne or twelve men and women, with whom hee returned to the campe. This River which passed by Nilco, was that which passed by Cayas and Autiamque, and fell into Rio grande, or the Great River, which passed by Pachaka and Aquixo neere unto the province of Guachoya: and the Lord thereof came up the River in canoes to make warre with him of Nilco. On his behalf there came an Indian to the Governour and said unto him, That he was his servant, and prayed him so to hold him, and that within two daies hee would come to kisse his Lordships hands: and at the time appointed he came with some of his principal Indians, which accompanied him, and with words of great offers and courtesie hee gave the Governour a present of many Mantles and Deeres skinnes. The Governour gave him some other things in recompense, and honoured him much. Hee asked him what townes there were downe the River? Hee answered that he knew none other but his owne: and on the other side of the River a province of a Cacique called Quigalta. So hee tooke his leave of the Governour and went to his owne towne. Within few daies the Governour determined to goe to Guachoya, to learne there whether the Sea were neere, or whether there were any habitation neere, where hee might relieve his companie, while the brigantines were making, which he meant to send to the land of the Christians. As he passed the River of Nilco, there came in canoes Indians of Guachoya up the streame, and when they saw him, supposing that he came to seeke them to doe them some hurt, they returned downe the River, and informed the Cacique thereof: who with all his people, spoiling the towne of all that they could carrie away, passed that night over to the other side of Rio grande, or the great River. The Governour sent a Captaine with fiftie men in sixe canoes downe the River, and went himselfe by land with the rest: hee came to Guachoya upon Sunday the 17. of Aprill: he lodged in the towne of the Cacique, which was inclosed about, and seated a crossebow shot distant from the River. Here the River is called Tamaliseu, and in Nilco Tapatu, and in Coca Mico, and in the port or mouth Ri.March 6. 1542.The death of John Ortiz, and the greatest miss of him being their interpretour.Ayays.Great snow about the twentieth of March.Tutelpinco.A great lake.Rafts wherewith they passed the lake.Tianto.Three of foure great townes.March 29.Nilco.Verie great townes.The best Countrie of Florida.Marterns skinnes.A cordon of perles.A River falling into Rio grande.Guachoya.Foure names of Rio grande.

CHAP. XXIX. Of the message which the Governour sent to Quigalta, and of the answere which he returned: and of the things which happened in this time.

AS soone as the Governour came to Guachoya, hee sent John Danusco with as many men as could goe in the canoes up the River. For when they came downe from Nilco, they saw on the other side the River new cabins made. John Danusco went and brought the canoes loden with Maiz, French beanes, Prunes, and many loaves made of the substance of prunes. That day came an Indian to the Governor from the Cacique of Guachoya, and said, that his Lord would come the next day. The next day they saw many canoes come up the River, and on the other side of the great River, they assembled together in the space of an houre: they consulted whether they should come or not; & at length concluded to come, and crossed the River. In them came the Cacique of Guachoya, and brought with him manie Indians with great store of Fish, Dogges, Deeres skinnes, and Mantles: And assoone as they landed, they went to the lodging of the Governour, and presented him their gifts, and the Cacique uttered these words:Many loaves made of prunes.

Mightie and excellent Lord, I beseech your Lordship to pardon mee the errour which I committed in absenting my selfe, and not tarrying in this towne to have received and served your Lordship; since, to obtaine this opportunitie of time, was, and is as much as a great victorie to me. But I feared that, which I needed not to have feared, and so did that which was not reason to do: But as haste maketh waste, and I removed without deliberation; so, as soone as I thought on it, I determined not to follow the opinion of the foolish, which is, to continue in their errour; but to imitate the wise and discreet, in changing my counsell, and so I came to see what your lordship will command me to doe, that I may serve you in all things that are in my power.

The Governour received him with much joy, and gave him thankes for his present and offer. He asked him, whether hee had any notice of the Sea. Hee answered, no, nor of any townes downe the River on that side; save that two leagues from thence was one towne of a principall Indian a subject of his; and on the other side of the River, three daies journey from thence downe the River, was the Province of Quigalta, which was the greatest Lord that was in that Countrie. The Governour thought that the Cacique lied unto him, to rid him out of his owne townes, and sent John Danusco with eight horsemen downe the River, to see what habitation there was, and to informe himselfe, if there were any notice of the Sea. Hee travelled eight daies, and at his returne hee said, that in all that time he was not able to go above 14 or 15 leagues, because of the great creekes that came out of the River, and groves of canes, and thicke woods that were along the bankes of the River, and that hee had found no habitation. The Governour fell into great dumps to see how hard it was to get to the Sea; and worse, because his men and horses every day diminished, being without succour to sustaine themselves in the country: and with that thought he fell sick. But before he tooke his bed hee sent and Indian to the Cacique of Quigalta to tell him, that hee was the Childe of the Sunne, and that all the way that hee came all men obeyed and served him, that he requested him to accept of his friendship, and come unto him; for he would be very glad to see him; and in signe of love and obedience to bring something with him of that which in his countrie was most esteemed. The Cacique answered by the same Indian:The Governor falleth sick of thought.

That whereas he said he was the Child of the Sunne, if he could drie up the River he would and beleeve him: and touching the rest, that hee was wont to visit none; but rather that all those of whom he had notice did visit him, served, obeyed and paid him tributes willingly or perforce: therefore if hee desired to see him, it were best he should come thither: that if hee came in peace, he would receive him with speciall good will; and if in warre, in like manner hee would attend him in the towne where he was, and that for him or any other hee would not shrinke one foote backe.A most wittie and stout answere of the Cacique of Quigalta.

By that time the Indian returned with this answere, the Governour had betaken himselfe to bed, being evill handled with fevers, and was much aggrieved, that he was not in case to passe presently the River and to seeke him, to see if he could abate that pride of his, considering the River went now very strongly in those parts; for it was neere halfe a league broad, and 16. fathomes deep, and very furious, and ranne with a great current; and on both sides there were many Indians, and his power was not now so great, but that hee had need to helpe himselfe rather by slights then by force. The Indians of Guachoya came every day with fish in such numbers, that the towne was full of them. The Cacique said, that on a certaine night hee of Quigalta would come to give battell to the Governour. Which the Governour imagined that he had devised, to drive him out of his countrey, and commanded him to bee put in hold: and that night and all the rest, there was good watch kept. Hee asked him wherefore Quigalta came not? He said that hee came, but that he saw him prepared, and therefore durst not give the attempt: and hee was earnest with him to send his Captaines over the River, and that he would aide him with many men to set upon Quigalta. The Governour told him that assoone as he was recovered, himselfe would seeke him out. And seeing how many Indians came daily to the towne, and what store of people was in that countrie, fearing they should al conspire together and plot some treason against him; and because the towne had some open gaps which were not made an end of inclosing, besides the gates which they went in and out by: because the Indians should not thinke he feared them, he let them all alone unrepaired; and commanded the horsemen to be appointed to them, and to the gates: and all night the horsemen went the round; and two and two of every squadron rode about, and visited the skouts that were without the towne in their standings by the passages, and the crossebowmen that kept the canoes in the River. And because the Indians should stand in feare of them, hee determined to send a Captaine to Nilco, for those of Guachoya had told him that it was inhabited; that by using them cruelly, neither the one nor the other should presume to assaile him; and hee sent Nunnez de Tovar with fifteene horsemen, and John de Guzman Captaine of the footemen with his companie in canoes up the River. The Cacique of Guachoya sent for many canoes and many warlike Indians to goe with the Christians: and the Captaine of the Christians, called Nunnez de Tovar, went by land with his horsemen, and two leagues before he came to Nilco hee staied for John de Guzman, and in that place they passed the River by night: the horsemen came first, and in the morning by breake of day in sight of the towne they lighted upon a spie; which assoone as he perceived the Christians, crying out amaine fled to the towne to give warning. Nunnez de Tovar and his companie made such speed, that before the Indians of the towne could fully come out, they were upon them: it was champion ground that was inhabited, which was about a quarter of a league. There were about five or sixe thousand people in the towne: and, as many people came out of the houses, & fled from one house to another, and many Indians came flocking together from all parts, there was never a horseman that was not alone among many. The Captaine had commanded that they should not spare the life of any male. Their disorder was so great, that there was no Indian that shot an arrow at any Christian. The shreekes of women and children were so great, that they made the eares deafe of those that followed them. There were slaine an hundred Indians, little more or lesse: and many were wounded with great wounds, whom they suffered to escape to strike a terror in the rest that were not there. There were some so cruell and butcherlike, that they killed old and young, and all that they met, though they made no resistance: and those which presumed or themselves for their valour, and were taken for such, brake through the Indians, bearing downe many with their stirrops and brests of their horses; and some they wounded with their lances, and so let them goe: and when they saw any youth or woman they tooke them, and delivered them to the footmen. These mens sinnes by Gods permission light on their own heads: who, because they would seeme valiant, became cruell; shewing themselves extreme cowards in the sight of all men, when as most neede of valour was required, and afterward they came to a shameful death. Of the Indians of Nilco were taken prisoners, fourescore women and children, and much spoile. The Indians of Guachoya kept back before they came at the towne, and staied without, beholding the successe of the Christians with the men of Nilco. And when they saw them put to flight, and the horsemen busie in killing of them, they hastened to the houses to rob, and filled their canoes with the spoile of the goods; and returned to Guachoya before the Christians; and wondering much at the sharpe dealing which they had seene them use toward the Indians of Nilco, they told their Cacique all that had passed with great astonishment.Five or sixe thousand people in Nilco.Chap. 37.

CHAP. XXX. Of the death of the Adelantado Fernando de Soto: And how Luys Moscoso de Alvarado was elected Governour in his stead.

THe Governour felt in himselfe that the houre approched, wherein hee was to leave this present life, and called for the Kings officers, Captaines and principall persons, to whom he made a speech, saying:

That now he was to goe to give an account before the presence of God of all his life past: and since it pleased him to take him in such a time; and that the time was come that he knew his death, that he his most unworthie servant did yeeld him many thankes therefore; and desired all that were present and absent (whom he confessed himselfe to be much beholding unto for their singular vertues, love and loyaltie, which himselfe had well tried in the travels, which they had suffered, which alwaies in his mind he did hope to satisfie and reward, when it should please God to give him rest, with more prosperitie of his estate,) that they would pray to God for him, that for his mercie he would forgive him his sinnes, and receive his soule into eternall glorie: and that they would quit and free him of the charge which hee had over them, and ought unto them all, and that they would pardon him for some wrongs which they might have received of him: And to avoid some division, which upon his death might fall out upon the choice of his successour, he requested them to elect a principall person, and able to governe, of whom all should like well; and when he was elected, they should sweare before him to obey him: and that he would thanke them very much in so doing; because the griefe that he had, would somewhat be asswaged, and the paine that he felt, because he left them in so great confusion, to wit, in leaving them in a strange Countrie, where they knew not where they were.

Baltasar de Gallegos answered in the name of all the rest: And first of all comforting him, he set before his eies how short the life of this world was, and with how many troubles and miseries it is accompanied, and how God shewed him a singular favor which soonest left it: telling him many other things fit for such a time. And for the last point, that since it pleased God to take him to himselfe, although his death did justly grieve them much, yet as wel he, as al the rest, ought of necessitie to conforme themselves to the will of God. And touching the Governour which he commanded they should elect, he besought him, that it would please his Lordship to name him which he thought fit, and him they would obey. And presently he named Luys de Moscoso de Alvarado his Captaine generall. And presently he was sworne by all that were present and elected for Governour. The next day, being the 21. of May, 1542. departed out of this life, the valorous, virtuous, and valiant Captaine, Don Fernando de Soto, Governour of Cuba and Adelantado of Florida: whom fortune a advanced, as it useth to doe others, that hee might have the higher fal. He departed in such a place, and at such a time, as in his sicknesse he had but little comfort: and the danger wherein all his people were of perishing in that Countrie, which appeared before their eies, was cause sufficient, why every one of them had need of comfort, and why they did not visit nor accompanie him as they ought to have done. Luys de Moscoso determined to conceale his death from the Indians, because Ferdinando de Soto had made them beleeve, That the Christians were immortall; and also because they tooke him to be hardie, wise, and valiant: and if they should know that he was dead, they would bee bold to set upon the Christians, though they lived peaceablie by them. In regard of their disposition, and because they were nothing constant, and beleeved all that was tolde them, the Adelantado made them beleeve, that he knew some things that passed in secret among themselves, without their knowledge, how, or in what manner he came by them: and that the figure which appeared in a glasse, which he shewed them, did tell him whatsoever they practised and went about: and therefore neither in word nor deed durst they attempt any thing that might hee prejudiciall unto him.The death of Don Ferdinando de Soto the 21. of May, 1542 at Guacoya.A wittie stratagem.

Assoone as he was dead, Luis de Moscoso commanded to put him secretly in an house, where hee remained three daies: and remooving him from thence, commanded him to hee buried in the night at one of the gates of the towne within the wall. And as the Indians had seene him sick, and missed him, so did they suspect what might hee. And passing by the place where hee was buried, seeing the earth mooved, they looked and spake one to another. Luys de Moscoso understanding of it, commanded him to be taken up by night, and to cast a great deale of sand into the mantles, wherein he was winded up, wherein hee was carried in a canoe, and throwne into the middest of the River. The Cacique of Guachoya inquired for him, demanding what was become of his brother and Lord, the Governour: Luys de Moscoso told him, that hee was gon to heaven, as many other times hee did: and because hee was to stay there certaine daies, hee had left him in his place. The Cacique thought with himselfe that he was dead; and commanded two young and well proportioned Indians to be brought thither; and said, that the use of that Countrie was, when any Lord died, to kill Indians to wait upon him, and serve him by the way: and for that purpose by his commandement were those come thither: and prayed Luys de Moscoso to command them to be beheaded, that they might attend and serve his Lord and brother. Luys de Moscoso told him, that the Governour was not dead, but gone to heaven, and that of his owne Christian souldiers, he had taken such as he needed to serve him, & praied him to command those Indians to be loosed, and not to use any such bad custome from thencefoorth: straightway hee commanded them to be loosed, and to get them home to their houses. And one of them would not goe; saying, that hee would not serve him, that without desert had judged him to death, but that hee would serve him as long as hee lived, which had saved his life.This is also the custome of the old Tartars.

Luys de Moscoso caused all the goods of the Governor to be sold at an outcrie: to wit, two men slaves, & two women slaves, and three horses, and 700 hogges. For every slave or horse, they gave two or three thousand ducats: which were to be paide at the first melting of gold or silver, or at the division of their portion of inheritance. And they entred into bonds, though in the Countrie there was not wherewith, to pay it within a yeere after, and put in sureties for the same. Such as in Spaine had no goods to bind, gave two hundred ducats for an hog, giving assurance after the same maner. Those which had any goods in Spaine, bought with more feare, and bought the lesse. From that time forward, most of the companie had swine, and brought them up, and fed upon them; and observed Fridaies and Saturdaies, and the evenings of feasts, which before they did not. For sometimes in two or three moneths they did eate no flesh, and whensoever they could come by it, they did eate it.Seven hundred hogges.

CHAP. XXXI. How the Governour Luys de Moscoso departed from Guachoya, and went to Chaguate; and from thence to Aguacay.

SOme were glad of the death of Don Ferdinando de Soto, holding for certaine, that Luys de Moscoso (which was given to his ease) would rather desire to be among the Christians at rest, then to continue the labours of the warre in subduing and discovering of Countries; whereof they were alreadie wearie, seeing the small profit that insued thereof. The Governour commanded the Captaines and principall persons to meet to consult and determine what they should doe. And being informed what peopled habitation was round about, he understood that to the West, the Countrie was most inhabited, and that downe the River beyond Quigalta was uninhabited, and had little store of food. He desired them all, that everie one would give his opinion in writing, & set his hand to it: that they might resolve by generall consent, whether they should goe downe the River, or enter into the maine land. All were of opinion, that it was best to go by land toward the West, because Nueva Espanna was that way, holding the voyage by sea more dangerous, and of greater hazard, because they could make no ship of any strength to abide a storme, neither had they Master, nor Pilot, Compasse, nor Chart, neither knew they how farre the sea was off nor had any notice of it; not whether the River did make any great turning into the land, or had any great fall from the rocks, where all of them might be cast away. And some which had seene the sea-chart, did find, that from the place where they were by the sea coast to Nova Espanna, might bee 400. leagues, little more or lesse; and said, that though they went somewhat about by land in seeking a peopled Countrie, if some great wildernesse which they could not passe did hinder them, by spending that sommer in travell, finding provision to passe the winter in some peopled Countrie, that the next sommer after they might come to some Christian land, and that it might fortune in their travel by land to find some rich Countrie, where they might doe themselves good. The Governour, although he desired to get out of Florida in shorter time, seeing the inconveniences they laid before him, in travelling by sea, determined to follow that which seemed good to all. On Monday the fifth of June, he departed from Guachoya. The Cacique gave him a guide and staied at home in his owne towne. They passed through a Province called Catalte: and having passed a wildernesse of sixe daies journie, the twentieth day of the moneth he came to Chaguate. The Cacique of this Province had visited the Governour Don Ferdinando de Soto at Autiamque, whither he brought him presents of skinnes, and mantles and salt. And a day before Luys de Moscoso came to his towne, we lost a Christian that was sicke; which hee suspected that the Indians had slaine. Hee sent the Cacique word, that he should command his people to seeke him up, and send him unto him, and that he would hold him, as he did, for his friend: and if he did not, that neither he, nor his, should escape his hands, and that hee would set his Countrie on fire. Presently the Cacique came unto him, and brought a great present of mantles and skinnes, and the Christian that was lost, and made this speech following:Their general resolution to travell by land Westward.The fifth of June.Catalte.Chiguate.

Right excellent Lord, I would not deserve that conceit which you had of me, for all the treasure of the world. What inforced me to goe to visit and serve the excellent Lord Governour your father in Autiamque, which you should have remembred, where I offered my selfe with all loyaltie, faith and love, during my life to serve and obey him? What then could be the cause, I having received favours of him, and neither you nor he having done me any wrong, that should moove me to doe the thing, which I ought not? Beleeve this of mee, that neither wrong, nor any worldly interest, was able to make me to have done it, nor shall be able to blind me. But as in this life it is a naturall course, that after one pleasure, many sorrowes doe follow: so by your indignation, fortune would moderate the joy, which my heart conceiveth with your presence; and that I should erre, where I thought surest to have hit the marke; in harboring this Christian which was lost, and using him in such manner, as he may tell himselfe, thinking that herein I did you service, with purpose to deliver him unto you in Chaguate, and to serve you to the uttermost of my power. If I deserve punishment for this, I will receive it at your hands, as if from my Lord, as if it were a favour. For the love which I did beare to the excellent Governour, and which I beare to you hath no limit. And like as you give me chastisement, so will you also shew me favour. And that which now I crave of you is this, to declare your will unto me, and those things, wherein I may hee able to doe you the most and best service.

The Governour answered him, that because he did not find him in that towne, hee was incensed against him, thinking he had absented himselfe, as others had done: But seeing he now knew his loyaltie and love, he would alwaies hold him as a brother, and favour him in all his affaires. The Cacique went with him to the towne where he resided, which was a daies journie from thence. They passed through a smal town, where there was a lake, where the Indians made salt: and the Christians mane some one day while they rested there, of a brackish water, which sprang neere the towne in ponds like fountaines. The Governour staied in Chaguate sixe daies. There he was informed of the habitation that was toward the West. They told him, that three daies journie from thence was a Province called Aguacay. The day that he departed from Chaguate, a Christian, called Francisco de Guzman, the base sonne of a Gentleman of Sivill, staied behind, and went to the Indians, with an Indian woman which he kept as his concubine, for feare he should be punished for gaming debts, that he did owe. The Governor had travelled two daies before he missed him; hee sent the Cacique word to seeke him up, and to send him to Aguacay, whither he travelled: which hee did not performe. From the Cacique of Aguacay, before they came into the Countrie, there met him on the way 15. Indians with a present of skinnes, fish and rosted venison. The Governour came to his towne on Wednesday, the fourth of Julie. He found the towne without people, and lodged in it: he staied there about a day; during which, he made some roades, and tooke many men and women. There they had knowledge of the South Sea. Here there was great store of salt made of sand, which they gather in a vaine of ground like peeble stones. And it was made as they made salt in Cayas.A smal towne.Salt made of salt springs of water.Aguacay.Knowledge of the South Sea.Store of Salt made.

CHAP. XXXII. How the Governour went from Aguacay to Naguatex, and what happened unto him.

THe same day that the Governour departed from Aguacay he lodged in a small towne Subject to the Lord of that province. The Campe pitched hard by a lake of salt water; and that evening they made some salt there. The day following hee lodged betweene two mountaines in a thinne grove of wood. The next day hee came to a small towne called Pato. The fourth day after his departure from Aguacay he came to the first habitation of a province called Amaye. There an Indian was taken, which said that from thence to Naguatex was a day and a halfes journey; which they travelled, finding all the way inhabited places. Having passed the peopled countrie of Amaye, on Saturday the 20. of Julie they pitched their Campe at noone betweene Amaye and Naguatex along the corner of a grove of very faire trees. In the same place certaine Indians were discovered, which came to view them. The horsemen went out to them, and killed six, and tooke two; whom the Governour asked, wherefore they came? They said, to know what people hee had, and what order they kept; and that the Cacique of Naguatex their Lord had sent them, and that he, with other Caciques which came to aide him, determined that day to bid him battell. While they were occupied in these questions and answeres, there came many Indians by two waies in two squadrons: and when they saw they were descried, giving a great crie they assaulted the Christians each squadron by it selfe: but seeing what resistance the Christians made them, they turned their backes and betooke themselves to flight, in which many of them lost their lives; and most of the horsemen following them in chase, carelesse of the Camp, other two squadrons of Indians, which lay in ambush, set upon the Christians that were in the Campe, which also they resisted, who also had their reward as the first. After the flight of the Indians, and that the Christians were retired, they heard a great noise a crossebow shot from the place where they were. The Governour sent twelve horsemen to see what it was. They found sixe Christians, foure footmen and two horsemen, among many Indians; the horsemen defending the footmen with great labour. These being of them that chased the first two squadrons, had lost themselves, and comming to recover the Campe fell among those with whom they were fighting: and so they, and those that came to succour them, slew many of the Indians, and brought one alive to the Campe: whom the Governour examined, who they were that came to bid him battell. He told him, that they were the Cacique of Naguatex, and of Amaye, and another of a province called Hacanac, a Lord of great countries and many subjects; and that the Cacique of Naguatex came for Captaine and chiefest of them all. The Governour commanded his right arme and nose to be cut off, and sent him to the Cacique of Naguatex, charging him to tell him, that the next day hee would bee in his countrey to destroy him; and if hee would withstand his entrance, hee should stay for him. That night he lodged there; and the next day hee came to the habitation of Naguatex, which was very scattering: he inquired where the Caciques chiefe towne was? They told him that it was on the other side of a River, that passed thereby: hee travelled thitherward, and came unto it: and on the other side hee saw many Indians, that taried for him, making shew as though they would defend the passage. And because hee knew not whether it could bee waded, nor where the passage was; and that some Christians and horses were hurt; that they might have time to recover, he determined to rest certaine daies in the towne where he was. So hee pitched his campe a quarter of a league from the River, because the weather was very hot, neere unto the towne, in a thinne grove of very faire and hie trees neere a brookes side: and in that place were certaine Indians taken; whom hee examined, whether the River were wadeable or no? They said, yea, at some times, and in some places. Within ten daies after he sent two Captaines with fifteene horsemen a peece upward and downe the River with Indians to shew them where they should goe over, to see what habitation was on the other side: And the Indians withstood them both, defending the passage of the River as farre as they were able, but they passed in despite of them: and on the other side of the River they saw great habitation, and great store of victuals; and with these newes returned to the Camp.A smal towne.Salt made here.Pato.Amaye.Julie 20.Hacanac.Naguatex.A River.August.They passe the River.

CHAP. XXXIII. How the Cacique of Naguatex came to visite the Governour: and how the Governour departed from Naguatex and came to Nondacao.

THe Governour sent an Indian from Naguatex where hee lay, to command the Cacique to come to serve and obey him, and that hee would forgive him all that was past; and if he came not, that he would seeke him, and give him such punishment as he had deserved for that which he had done against him. Within two daies the Indian returned, & said that the Cacique would come the next day: which, the same day when he came, sent many Indians before him, among whom there were some principall men: hee sent them to see what countenance they found in the Governour. to resolve with himselfe whether hee should goe or not. The Indians let him understand, that he was comming, and went away presently: and the Cacique came within two houres accompanied with many of his men: they came all in a ranke one before another on both sides, leaving a lane in the middest where hee came. They came where the Governour was, all of them weeping after the manner of Tulla which was not farre from thence toward the East. The Cacique made his due obedience, and this speech following:Tulla not far from Naguatex, Eastward.

Right high and mightie Lord, whom all the world ought to serve and obey, I was bold to appeare before your Lordship, having committed so heinous and abominable an act, as only for me to have imagined, deserved to be punished; trusting in your greatnes, that although I deserve to obtaine no pardon, yet for your owne sake only you will use clemencie toward me, considering how small I am in comparison of your Lordship; and not to think upon my weaknesses, which, to my griefe and for my greater good, I have knowne. And I beleeve that you and yours are immortall; and that your Lordship is Lord of the land of nature, seeing that you subdue all things, and they obey you, even the very hearts of men. For when I beheld the slaughter and destruction of my men in the battell, which, through mine ignorance, and the counsell of a brother of mine, which died in the same, I gave your Lordship, presently I repented me in my heart of the error, which I had committed; and desired to serve and obey you: and to this end I come, that your Lordship may chastise and command mee as your owne.

The Governour answered him, that he forgave him all which was past, that from thenceforth hee should do his dutie, & that he would hold him for his friend, and that he would favour him in all things. Within foure daies hee departed thence, and comming to the River he could not passe, because it was growne very bigge; which seemed to him a thing of admiration, being at that time that it was, and since it had not rained a moneth before. The Indians said, that it increased many times after that manner without raining in all the countrie. It was supposed, that it might bee the tide that came into it. It was learned that the flood came alway from above, and that the Indians of all that countrie had no knowledge of the Sea. The Governour returned unto the place where he had lodged before: and understanding within eight daies after that the River was passeable, he departed. He passed over and found the towne without people: he lodged in the field, and sent the Cacique word to come unto him, and to bring him a guide to goe forward. And some daies being past, seeing the Cacique came not, nor sent any bodie, hee sent two Captaines sundrie waies to burne the townes, and to take such Indians as they could finde: They burnt great store victuals, and took many Indians. The Cacique seeing the hurt that he received in his countrie, sent sixe principall Indians with three men for guides, which knew the language of the countrie, through which the Governour was to passe. Hee departed presently from Naguatex, and within three daies journey came to a towne of foure or five houses, which belonged to the Cacique of that province, which is called Nissoone: it was evill inhabited and had little Maiz. Two daies journey forward the guides which guided the Governour, if they were to goe Westward, guided him to the East; and sometimes went up and downe through very great woods out of the way. The Governour commanded them to bee hanged upon a tree: and a woman that they tooke in Nissoone guided him, and went backe againe to seeke the way. In two daies he came to another miserable towne, called Lacane: an Indian was taken in that place, that said, that the countrie of Nondacao was a countrie of great habitation, and the houses scattering the one from the other, as they use to bee in mountains, and had great store of Maiz. The Cacique came with his men weeping, like them of Naguatex: for this is their use in token of obedience: hee made him a present of much fish, and offered to doe what he would command him. Hee tooke his leave, and gave him a guide to the province of Soacatino.The River growne unpassable in August, at Naguatex.Conjectures of a Sea to the Northward.A towne.Townes burned.Nissoone.Lacane.Nondacao.

CHAP. XXXIIII How the Governour went from Nondacao to Soacatino and Guasco, and passed through a desert, from whence, for want of a guide, and an interpretour, he returned to Nilco.

THe Governour departed from Nondadacao toward Soacatino, and in five daies journie came to a Province called Aays. The Indians which inhabited it, had no notice of the Christians: but assoone as they saw that they entred into their country, they assembled themselves: and as they came together 50. or 100. they came foorth to fight: while some fought, others came and charged our men another way , and while they followed some, others followed them. The fight lasted the greatest part of the day, till they came to their towne. Some horses and men were wounded, but not to any hurt of their travelling: for there was no wound that was dangerous. There was a great spoile made of the Indians. That day that the Governour departed from thence, the Indian that guided him said, that in Nondacao he had heard say, that the Indians of Soacatino had seene other Christians, whereof they all were very glad: thinking it might be true, and that they might have entred into those parts by Nueva Espanna; and that if it were so, it was in their owne hand to goe out of Florida, if they found nothing of profit: for they feared they should lose themselves in some wildernes. This Indian led him two daies out of the way. The Governour commanded to torture him. He said, that the Cacique of Nondacao, his Lord, had commanded him to guide them so, because they were his enemies, and that hee was to doe as his Lord commanded him. The Governour commanded him to be cast to the dogs: and another guided him to Soacatino, whither hee came the day following. It was a verie poore Countrie: there was great want of Maiz in that place. Hee asked the Indians, whether they knew of any other Christians. They said, that a little from thence toward the South they heard they were. He travelled 20. daies through a Countrie evill inhabited, where they suffured great scarcitie and trouble. For that little Maiz which the Indians had, they had hidden and buried in the woods, where the Christians, after they were well wearied with their travell, at the end of their journie went to seeke by digging what they should eat. At last, comming to a Province that was called Guasco, they found Maiz, wherewith they loaded their horses, and the Indians that they had. From thence they went to another towne called Naquiscoça. The Indians said, they had no notice of any other Christians. The Governour commanded to torment them. They said, that they came first to another Lordship, which was called Naçacahoz, and from thence returned again to the West, from whence they came. The Governour came in two daies to Naçacahoz: Some women were taken there: among whom there was one, which said, that she had seene Christians, and had been taken by them, and had run away. The Governour sent a Captaine with 15. horsemen to the place where the woman said she had seene them, to see if there were any signe of horses, or any token of their being there. After they had gone three or foure leagues, the woman that guided them said, that all that she had told them was untrue. And so they held all the rest that the Indians had said, of seeing Christians in the land of Florida. And, because the Countrie that way was poore of Maiz, and toward the West, there was no notice of any habitation, they returned to Guasco. The Indians told them there, that 10. daies journie from thence toward the West, was a River called Daycao; whither they went sometimes a hunting and killing of Deere: and that they had seene people on the other side, but knew not what habitation was there. There the Christians tooke such Maiz as they found and could carrie, and, going 10. daies journie through a wildernesse, they came to the River which the Indians had told them of. Ten horsemen, which the Governour had sent before, passed over the same, and went in a way that led to the River, and lighted upon a companie of Indians that dwelt in verie little cabins: who, assoone as they saw them, tooke themselves to flight, leaving that which they had; all which was nothing but miserie and povertie. The Countrie was so poore, that among them all there was not found halfe a peck of Maiz. The horsemen tooke two Indians, and returned with them to the River, where the Governour staied for them. He sought to learne of them what habitation was toward the West. There was none in the Camp that could understand their language. The Governour assembled the Captaines and principall persons, to determine with their advice what they should doe. And the most part said, that they thought it best to returne backe to Rio grande, or the Great River of Guachoya; because that in Nilco and thereabout was store of Maiz: saying, that they would make pinaces that winter, and the next sommer passe down the River to the seaward in them, and comming to the Sea they would goe along the coast to Nueva Espanna. For though it seemed a doubtfull thing and difficult, by that which they had already alleaged, yet it was the last remedie they had. For by land they could not goe for want of an Interpretour. And they held, that the countrie beyond the River of Daycao, where they were, was that which Cabeça de Vaca mentioned in his relation that he passed of the Indians, which lived like the Alarbes, having no setled place, and fed upon Tunas and rootes of the fields, and wilde beasts that they killed. Which if it were so, if they should enter into it and finde no victuals to passe the winter, they could not chuse but perish. For they were entred alreadie into the beginning of October: and if they staied any longer, they were not able to returne for raine and snowes, nor to sustaine themselves in so poore a countrey. The Governour (that desired long to see himselfe in a place where hee might sleepe his full sleep, rather then to conquer and governe a countrie where so many troubles presented themselves) presently returned back that same way that he came.Aays.A towne.Soacatino.20. daies travell toward the South.Guaso: here they found some Turkie stones, and mantles of cotton wooll. Chap. 35.Naquicoça.Naçacoahoz.They returned to Guasco.The River of Daycoa: which seemeth to be Rio del oro.No travelling by land without an interpretour.

CHAP. XXXV. How they returned to Nilco, and came to Minoya, where they agreed to make ships to depart out of the land of Florida.

WHen that which was determined was published in the Campe, there were many that were greatly grieved at it: for they held the Sea voyage as doubtfull, for the evill meanes they had, and of as great danger, as the travelling by land: and they hoped to finde some rich countrie before they came to the land of the Christians, by that which Cabeça de Vaca had told the Emperour: and that was this; That after hee had found clothes made of cotton wooll, hee saw gold and silver, and stones of great value. And they had not yet come where hee had been. For untill that place hee alwaies travelled by the Sea coast: and they travelled farce within the land; and that going toward the West, of necessitie they should come where hee had been. For he said, That in a certain place he travelled many daies, and entred into the land toward the North. And in Guasco they had alreadie found some Turkie stones, and mantles of cotton wooll: which the Indians signified by signes that they had from the West: and that holding that course they should draw neere to the land of the Christians. But though they were much discontented with it, and it grieved many to goe backward, which would rather have adventured their lives and have died in the land of Florida, then to have gone poore out of it: yet were they not a sufficient part to hinder that which was determined, because the principall men agreed with the Governour. And afterward there was one that said, hee would put out one of his owne eyes, to put out another of Luis de Moscoso; because it would grieve him much to see him prosper: because aswell himself as others of his friends had crossed that which hee durst not have done, seeing that within two daies he should leave the government. From Daycao, where now they were, to Rio grande, or the Great River, was 150 leagues: which unto that place they had gone Westward. And by the way as they returned backe they had much adoe to find Maiz to eate: for where they had passed, the countrey was destroyed: and some little Maiz that was left the Indians had hidden. The townes which in Naguatex they had burned (whereof it repented them) were repaired againe, and the houses full of Maiz. This countrie is well inhabited and plentifull. In that place are vessels made of clay, which differ very little from those of Estremoz, or Montemor. In Chaguate the Indians by commandement of the Cacique came peaceably, and said, that the Christian which remained there would not come. The Governour wrote unto him, and sent him inke and paper that he might answere. The substance of the words of the letter was to declare unto him his determination, which was, to goe out of the land of Florida, and to put him in remembrance that he was a Christian, that he was a Christian, that hee would not remaine in the subjection of Infidels, that hee pardoned him the fault which he had done in going away to the Indians, that hee should come unto him: and if they did stay him, that hee would advertise him thereof by writing. The Indian went with the letter, and came again without any more answere, then, on the backe side, his name and his seale, that they might know he was alive. The Governour sent twelve horsemen to seeke him: but he, which had his spies, so hid himselfe, that they could not find him. For want of Maiz the Governour could not stay any longer to seeke him. Hee departed from Chaguete, and passed the River by Aays; going downe by it hee found a towne called Chilano, which as yet they had not seen. They came to Nilco, & found so little Maiz, as could not suffice till they made their ships; because the Christians, being in Guachoya in the seede time, the Indians for feare of them durst not come to sow the grounds of Nilco: and they knew not thereabout any other countrie where any Maiz was: and that was the most fruitfull soile that was thereaway, and where they had must hope to finde it. Every one was confounded, and the most part thought it bad counsell to come backe from the River of Daycao, and not to have followed their fortune, going that way that went over land. For by Sea it seemed impossible to save themselves, unlesse God would worke a miracle for them: for there was neither Pilot, nor Sea-chart, neither did they know where the River entred into the Sea, neither had they notice of it, neither had they any thing wherewith to make sailes, nor any store of Enequem, which is a grasse whereof they make Okam, which grew there: and that which they found they saved to calke the Pinaces withall, neither had they any thing to pitch them withall: neither could they make ships of such substance, but that any storme would put them in great danger: and they feared much it would fallout with them, as it did with Pamphilo de Narvaez, which was cast away upon that coast: And above all other it troubled them most, that they could finde no Maiz: for without it they could not bee sustained, nor could doe any thing that they had neede of. All of them were put to great confusion. Their chiefe remedy was to commit themselves to God, and to beseech him that he would direct them the way that they might save their lives. And it pleased him of his goodnesse, that the Indians of Nilco came peaceablie, and told them, that two daies journey from thence, neere unto the Great River, were two townes, whereof the Christians had no notice, and that the province was called Minoya, and was a fruitfull soile: that, whether at this present there was any Maiz or no, they knew not, because they had warre with them: but that they would be very glad with the favour of the Christians to goe and spoyle them. The Governour sent a Captaine thither with horsemen and footmen, and the Indians of Nilco with him. Hee came to Minoya, and found two great townes seated in a plaine and open soile, halfe a league distant, one in sight of another, and in them he tooke many Indians, and round great store of Maiz. Presently he lodged in one of them, and sent word to the Governour what hee had found: wherewith they were all exceeding glad: They departed from Nilco in the beginning of December; and all that way, and before from Chilano, they endured much trouble: for they passed through many waters, and many times it rained with a Northren winde, and was exceeding cold, so that they were in the open field with water over and underneath them: and when at the end of their daies journey they found drie ground to rest upon, they gave great thanks to God. With this trouble almost all the Indians that served them died. And after they were in Minoya, many Christians also died: and the most part were sicke of great and dangerous diseases, which had a spice of the lethargie. At this place died Andrew de Vasconcelos, and two Portugals of Elvas, which were very neere him: which were brethren, and by their surname Sotis. The Christians lodged in one of the townes, which they liked best: which was fensed about, and distant a quarter of a league from the Great River. The Maiz that was in the other towne was brought thither; and in all it was esteemed to bee 6000. hanegs or bushels. And there was the best timber to make ships, that they had seene in all the land of Florida: wherefore all of them gave God great thankes for so singular a favour, and hoped that that which they desired would take effect, which was, that they might safely bee conducted into the land of the Christians.Gold, siver and precious stones in Florida.Turkie stones and mantles of cotton wooll found in Guasco.150 leagues between the River of Daycoa, and Rio grande.Naguatex.Fine earthen vessels.Chaguate.Aays.Chilano.Nilco.Minoya.Two great townes.The beginning of December.Raine with Northren wind exceeding cold.The death of Andrew Vasconcelos.

CHAP. XXXVI. How there were seven Brigandines builded, and how they departed from Minoya.

ASsoone as they came to Minoya, the Governor commanded them to gather all the chaines together, which everie one had to lead Indians in; and to gather al the yron which they had for their provision, and al the rest that was in the Camp: and to set up a forge to make nailes, and commanded them to cut downe timber for the brigandines. And a Portugall of Ceuta, who having bin a prisoner in Fez, had learned to saw timber with a long saw, which for such purposes they had carried with them, did teach others, which helped him to saw timber. And a Genowis, whom it pleased God to preserve (for without him they had never come out of the countrie: for there was never another that could make ships but hee) with foure or five other Biscaine carpenters, which hewed his plancks and other timbers, made the brigandines: And two calkers, the one of Genua, the other of Sardinia did calke them with the tow of an hearb like hempe, whereof before I have made mention, which there is named Enequen. And because there was not enough of it, they calked them with the flaxe of the Countrie, and with the mantles, which they ravelled for that purpose. A cooper which they had among them fell sicke, and was at the point of death: and there was none other that had any skill in that trade: it pleased God to send him his health: And albeit he was verie weake, and could not labour; yet 15. daies before they departed, he made for every brigandine two halfe hogs heads, which the mariners call quarterets, because foure of them hold a pipe of water. The Indians which dwelt two daies journie above the River in a Province called Taguanate, and likewise those of Nilco and Guacoya, and others their neighbours seeing the brigandines in making, thinking, because their places of refuge are in the water, that they were to goe to seeke them: and because the Governour demanded mantles of them, as necessarie for sailes, came many times, and brought many mantles, and great store of fish. And for certaine it seemed that God was willing to favour them in so great necessitie, mooving the minds of the Indians to bring them: for to goe to take them, they were never able. For in the towne where they were, assoone as winter came in, they were so inclosed and compassed with water, that they could go no farther by land, then a league, & a league & an half. And if they would go farther, they could carrie no horses, & without them they were not able to fight with the Indians, because they were many: and so many for so many on foote they had the advantage of them by water and by land, because they were more apt and lighter, and by reason of the disposition of the Countrie, which was according to their desire for the use of their warre. They brought also some cords, and those which wanted for cables were made of the barkes of Mulberrie trees. They made stirrops of wood, & made ankers of their stirrops. In the moneth of March, when it had rained a moneth before, the River grew so big, that it came to Nilco, which was nine leagues off: and on the other side, the Indians said, that it reached other nine leagues into the land. In the towne where the Christians were, which was somewhat high ground, where they could best goe, the water reached to the stirrops. They made certaine rafts of timber, and laid manie boughes upon them, whereon they set their horses, and in the houses they did the like. But seeing that nothing prevailed, they went up to the lofts: and if they went out of the houses, it was in canoes, or on horseback in those places where the ground was hiest. So they were two moneths, and could doe nothing, during which time the River decreased not. The Indians ceased not to come unto the brigantines as they were wont, and came in canoes. At that time the Governour feared they would set upon him. Hee commanded his men to take an Indian secretly of those that came to the towne, and to stay him till the rest were gone: and they tooke one. The Governour commanded him to bee put to torture, to make him confesse, whether the Indians did practise any treason or no. Hee confessed that the Caciques of Nilco, Guachoya, & Taguanate, and others, which in al were about 20. Caciques, with a great number of people, determined to come upon him; and that three daies before, they would send a great present of fish to colour their great treason and malice, and on the verie day they would send some Indians before with another present: And these with those which were our slaves, which were of their conspiracie also, should set the houses on fire, and first of all possesse themselves of the lances which stood at the doores of the houses; and the Caciques with all their men should bee neere the towne in ambush in the wood, and when they saw the fire kindled, should come, and make an end of the conquest. The Governour commanded the Indian to be kept in a chaine, and the selfe same day that he spake of, there came 30. Indians with fish. Hee commanded their right hands to be cut off, and sent them so backe to the Cacique of Guachoya, whose men they were. He sent him word, that he and the rest should come when they would, for he desired nothing more, and that hee should know, that they thought not any thing which he knew not before they thought of it. Hereupon they all were put in a very great feare: And the Caciques of Nilco and Taguanate came to excuse themselves: and a few daies after came he of Guachoya, and a principal Indian and his subject, said, he knew by certaine information, that the caciques of Nilco and Taguanate were agreed to come and make warre upon the Christians. Assoone as the Indians came from Nilco, the Governour examined them, and they confessed it was true. Hee delivered them presently to the principall man of Guachoya, which drew them out of the towne and killed them. Another day came some from Taguanate, and confessed it likewise. The Governour commanded their right hands and noses to be cut off, and sent them to the Cacique, wherewith they of Guachoya remained very well contented: and they came oftentimes with presents of mantles and fishe and hogs, which bred in the Countrie of some swine that were lost by the way the last yeere. Assoone as the waters were slaked, they perswaded the Governour to send to Taguanate: They came and brought canoes, wherein the footemen were conveied downe the River, and a Captaine with horsemen went by land; and the Indians of Guachoya, which guided him, till they came to Taguanate, assaulted the towne, and took many men and women, and mantles, which with those that they had alreadie were sufficient to supplie their want. The brigandines being finished in the moneth of June, the Indians having told us, That the River increased but once a yeere, when the snowes did melt, in the time wherein I mentioned it had alreadie increased being now in sommer and having not rained a long time, it pleased God, that the flood came up to the towne to seeke the brigandines, from whence they carried them by water to the River. Which, if they had gone by land had been in danger of breaking and splitting their keeles, and to bee all undone; because that for want of iron, the spikes were short, and the planckes and timber were very weake. The Indians of Minoya, during the time that they were there, came to serve them (being driven thereunto by necessity) that of the Maiz which they had taken from them, they would bestow some crummes upon them. And because the Countrie was fertill, and the people used to feed of Maiz, and the Christians had gotten all from them that they had, and the people were many, thev were not able to sustaine themselves. Those which came to the towne were so weake and feeble, that they had no flesh left on their bones: and many came and died neere the towne for pure hunger and weaknesse. The Governour commanded upon grievous punishments to give them no Maiz. Yet, when they saw that the hogges wanted it not, and that they had yeelded themselves to serve them, & considering their miserie and wretchednes, having pity of them, they gave them part of the Maiz which they had. And when the time of their embarkment came, there was not sufficient to serve their owne turnes. That which there was, they put into the brigandines, and into great canoes tied two and two together. They shipped 22. of the best horses, that were in the Camp, the rest they made dried flesh of; and dressed the hogges which they had in like manner. They departed from Minoya the second day of Julie, 1543.Enequen is an herbe like Hempe.Flaxe of the countrie.Taguanate two daies journey above Minoya.The great use of horses.Mulberrie trees.The mightie increasing of the River for two moneths space, to wit, all March and Aprill.The grand conspiracie of the Indians against the Christians.Note well.Thirtie Indians of the Cacique of Guachoya have their right hands cut off.The right hands and noses of traitours cut off.Hogges in Florida.Taguanate taken.June.The River increaseth but once a yeere when the snowes doe melt in March and Aprill.A miraculour acident.

CHAP. XXXVII. As the Christians went downe the great River on their voyage, the Indians of Quigalta did set upon them, and what was the successe thereof

THe day before they departed from Minoya, they determined to dismisse al the men & women of the Countrie, which they had detained as slaves to serve them, save some hundred, little more or lesse, which the Governour embarked, and others whom it pleased him to permit. And because there were many men of qualitie, whom he could not deny that which he granted to others, he used a policy, saying, that they might serve them as long as they were in the River, but when they came to the sea, they must send them away for want of water, because they had but few vessels. He told his friends in secret, that they should carrie theirs to Nueva Espanna: And all those whom hee bare no good will unto (which were the greater number) ignorant of that which was hidden from them, which afterward time discovered, thinking it inhumanitie for so little time of service, in reward of the great service that they had done them, to carrie them with them, to leave them slaves to other men out of their owne Countries; left five hundred men and women; among whom were many boies and girles, which spake & understood the Spanish tongue. The most of them did nothing but weepe: which mooved great compassion; seeing that all of them with good will would have become Christians, and were left in state of perdition. There went from Minoya 322 Spaniards in seven brigandines, well made, save that the plankes were thin, because the nailes were short, and were not pitched, nor had any decks to keep the water from comming in. In stead of decks they laid planks, whereon the mariners might runne to trim their sailes, and the people might refresh themselves above and below. The Governour made his Captaines, and gave to every one his brigandine, and took their oath and their word, that they would obey him, untill they came to the land of the Christians. The Governour tooke one of the brigandines for himself, which he best liked. The same day that they departed from Minoya, they passed by Guachoya, where the Indians tarried for them in canoes by the River. And on the shore, they had made a great arbour with boughes: They desired him to come on shore; but he excused himselfe, and so went along: The Indians in their canoes accompanied him; and comming where an arme of the River declined on the right hand, they said, that the Province of Quigalta was neere unto that place, and importuned the Governour to set upon him, and that they would aide him. And because they had said, that he dwelt three daies journie downe the River, the Governour supposed that they had plotted some treason against him, and there left them; and went downe with the greatest force of the water. The current was very strong, and with the helpe of ores, they went very swiftly. The first day they landed in a wood on the left hand of the River, and at night they withdrew themselves to the brigandines. The next day they came to a towne, where they went on shore, and the people that was in it durst not tarrie. A woman that they tooke there being examined, said, that that towne belonged to a Cacique named Huasene, subject to Quigalta, and that Quigalta tarried for them below in the River with many men. Certaine horsemen went thither and found some houses, wherein was much Maiz. Immediately more of them went thither and tarried there one day, in which they did beate out, and tooke as much Maiz as they needed. While they were there, many Indians came from the nether part of the River, and on the other side right against them somewhat carelessly set themselves in order to fight. The Governour sent in two canoes the crossebowmen that he had, and as many more as could goe in them. They ran away, and seeing the Spaniards could not overtake them, they returned backe, and tooke courage; and comming neerer, making an outcrie, they threatned them: and assoone as they departed thence, they went after them, some in canoes, and some by land along the River; and getting before, comming to a towne that stood by the Rivers side, they joyned al together, making a shew that they would tarrie there. Everie brigandine towed a canoe fastened to their sternes for their particular service. Presently there entred men into everie one of them, which made the Indians to flie, and burned the towne. The same day they presently landed in a great field, where the Indians durst not tarrie. The next day there were gathered together an hundred canoes, among which were some that carried 60. and 70. men, and the principall mens canoes had their tilts, and plumes of white and red feathers for their ensignes: and they came within two crossebow shot of the brigandines, and sent three Indians in a small canoe with a fained message to view the manner of the brigandines, and what weapons they had. And comming to the side of the Governours brigandine, one of the Indians entred, and said:500. slaves left in the Countrie.They saile down Rio Grande from Minoya 17. daies before they came to the mouth thereof.The second day.Huasene.Another day.A towne burned.The third day.A fleete of an hundred faire and great canoes.

That the Cacique of Quigalta his Lord, sent him his commendations, and did let him understand, that all that the Indians of Guachoya had told him concerning himselfe, was false, and that they had incensed him, because they were his enemies; that he was his servant, and should find him so.

The Governour answered him, that he beleeved all that he said was true, and willed him to tell him, that he esteemed his friendship very much. With this answer they returned to the place where the rest in their canoes were waiting for them, and from thence all of them fell downe, and came neere the Spaniards, shouting aloud, and threatning of them. The Governour sent John de Guzman, which had been a Captaine of footemen in Florida, with 15. armed men in canoes to make them give way. Assoone as the Indians saw them come towards them, they divided themselves into two parts, and stood still till the Spaniards came nie them, and when they were come neere them, they joyned together on both sides, taking John de Guzman in the middest, and them that came first with him, and with great furie borded them: And as their canoes were bigger, and many of them leaped into the water to stay them, and to lay hold on the canoes of the Spaniards, and overwhelme them; so presently they overwhelmed them. The Christians fell into the water, and with the weight of their armour sunke downe to the bottome: and some few, that by swimming or holding by the canoe could have saved themselves, with oares and staves, which they had, they strooke them on the head and made them sinke. When they of the brigandines saw the overthrow, though they went about to succour them, yet through the current of the River they could not goe backe. Foure Spaniards fled to the brigandine that was neerest to the canoes; and only these escaped of those that came among the Indians. They were eleven that died there: among whom John de Guzman was one, and a sonne of Don Carlos, called John de Vargas: the rest also were persons of account and men of great courage. Those that escaped by swimming, said, that they saw the Indians enter the canoe of John de Guzman at the sterne of one of their canoes, and whether they carried him away dead or alive they could not certainly tell.Eleven Spaniards drowned.The death of John de Guzman.

CHAP. XXXVIII Which declareth how they were pursued by the Indians.

THe Indians, seeing that they had gotten the victorie, tooke such courage, that they assaulted them in the brigandines, which they durst not doe before. They came first to that brigandine wherein Calderon went for Captaine, and was in the rereward: and at the first volie of arrowes they wounded 25 men. There were only foure armed men in this brigandine: these did stand at the brigandine side to defend it. Those that were unarmed, seeing how they hurt them, left their oares and went under the deck: whereupon the brigandine began to crosse, and to goe where the current of the streame carried it. One of the armed men seeing this, without the commandement of the Captaine, made a footman to take an oare and stirre the brigandine, hee standing before him and defending him with his target. The Indians came no neerer then a bowshot from from whence they offended and were not offended, receiving no hurt: for in every brigandine was but one crossebow, and those which wee had were very much out of order. So that the Christians did nothing else but stand for a butte to receive their arrowes. Having left this brigandine they went to another, and fought with it halfe an houre; and so from one to another they fought with them all. The Christians had mattes to lay under them, which were double, and so close and strong, that no arrow went thorow them. And assoone as the Indians gave them leisure, they fensed the brigandines with them. And the Indians seeing that they could not shoote levell, shot their arrowes at randon up into the aire, which fell into the brigandines, and hurt some of the men: and not therewith contented, they sought to get to them which were in the canoes with the horses. Those of the brigandines environed them to defend them, and tooke them among them. Thus seeing themselves much vexed by them, and so wearied that they could no longer endure it, they determined to travell all the night following, thinking to get beyond the countrie of Quigalta, and that they would leave them: but when they thought least of it, supposing they had now left them, they heard very neere them so great outcries, that they made them deafe, and so they followed us all that night, and the next day till noone, by which time we were come into the countrie of others, whom they desired to use us after the same manner; and so they did. The men of Quigalta returned home; and the other in fiftie canoes fought with us a whole day and a night: and they entred one of the brigandines, that came in the rereward by the canoe which she had at her sterne, and tooke away a woman which they found in it, and afterward hurt some of the men of the brigandines. Those which came with the horses in the canoes, being wearie with rowing night and day, lingered behind; and presently the Indians came upon them, and they of the brigandines tarried for them. The Governour resolved to goe on shore and to kill the horses, because of the slow way which they made because of them. Assoone as they saw a place convenient for it, they went thither and killed the horses, and brought the flesh of them to drie it aboord. Foure or five of them remained on shore alive: the Indians went unto them, after the Spaniards were embarked. The horses were not acquainted with them, and began to neigh, and runne up and downe, in such sort, that the Indians, for feare of them, leaped into the water: and getting into their canoes went after the brigandines, shooting cruelly at them. They followed us that evening and the night following till the next day at tenne of the clocke, and then returned up the River. Presently from a small towne that stood upon the River came seven canoes, and followed us a little way downe the River, shooting at us: but seeing they were so few that they could doe us but little harme, they returned to their towne. From thence forward, untill they came to the Sea, they had no encounter. They sailed downe the River seventeene daies: which may be two hundred and fifty leagues journey, little more or lesse: and neere unto the Sea the River is divided into two armes; each of them is a league and an halfe broad.25 Spaniards wounded.The great use of large targets.Strong mats a good defence against arrowes.Another Province.Dried horse-flesh for food.A smal towne.They sailed 17. daies down the River, which is about 250. leagues.

CHAP. XXXIX. How they came unto the sea: and what happened unto them in all their voyage.

HAlfe a league before they came to the sea, they came to anker to rest themselves there about a day: for they were very weary with rowing and out of heart. For by the space of many daies they had eaten nothing but parched and sodden Maiz; which they had by allowance every day an headpeece ful by strike for every three men. While they rode there at anker seven canoes of Indians came to set upon those, which they brought with them. The Governour commanded armed men to go aboord them, and to drive them farther off. They came also against them by land through a thick wood, and a moorish ground, and had staves with very sharp forked heads made of the bones of fishes, and fought verie valiantly with us, which went out to encounter them. And the other that came in canoes with their arrowes staied for them that came against them, and at their comming both those that were on land, and those in the canoes wounded some of us: And seeing us come neere them, they turned their backs, and like swift horses among footemen gat away from us; making some returnes, and reuniting themselves together, going not past a bow shot off: for in so retiring they shot, without receiving any hurt of the Christians. For though they had some bowes, yet they could not use them; and brake their armes with rowing to overtake them. And the Indians easily in their compasse went with their canoes, staying and wheeling about as it had been in a skirmish, perceiving that those that came against them could not offend them. And the more they strove to come neere them, the more hurt they received. Assoone as they had driven them farther off, they returned to the brigandines. They staied two daies there: And departed from thence unto the place, where the arme of the River entreth into the sea. They sounded in the River neere unto the Sea, and found 40. fathoms water. They staied there. And the Governour commanded al and singular persons to speake their minds touching their voyage, whether it were best to crosse over to Nueva Espanna, committing themselves to the hie sea, or whether they should keepe along the coast. There, were sundry opinions touching this matter: wherein John Danusco, which presumed much, and tooke much upon him in the knowledge of navigation, and matters of the sea, although hee had but little experience, moved the Governour with his talke: and his opinion was seconded by some others. And they affirmed, that it was much better to passe by the hie sea, and crosse the gulfe, which was three of foure parts the lesser travell, because in going along the coast, they went a great way about, by reason of the compasse, which the land did make. John Danusco said, that he had seene the seacard, and that from the place where they were, the coast ran East and West unto Rio de las Palmas: and from Rio de las Palmas to Nueva Espanna from North to South: and therefore in sailing alwaies in sight of land would hee a great compassing about and spending of much time; & that they would be in great danger to be overtaken with winter before they should get to the land of the Christians: and that in 10. or 12. daies space, having good weather, they might bee there in crossing over. The most part were against this opinion, and said, that it was more safe to go along the coast, though they staied the longer: because their ships were very weake and without decks, so that a very little storme was enough to cast them away: and if they should be hindred with calmes, or contrarie weather, through the small store of vessels which they had to carrie water in, they should likewise fall into great danger: and that although the ships were such as they might venture in them, yet having neither Pilot nor Seacard to guide themselves, it was no good counsell to crosse the gulfe. This opinion was confirmed by the greatest part: and they agreed to go along the coast. At the time wherein they sought to depart from thence, the cable of the anker of the Governours brigandine brake, and the anker remained in the River. And albeit, they were neere the shore, yet it was so deepe, that the Divers diving many times could never find it: which caused great sadnes in the Governour, and in all those that went with him in his brigandine: But with a grindstone which they had, and certaine bridles which remained to some of the Gentlemen, and men of worship which had horses, they made a weight which served in stead of an anker. The 18. of July, they went foorth to sea with faire and prosperous weather for their voiage. And seeing that they were gone two or three leagues from the shore the Captaines of the other brigandines overtooke them, and asked the Governour, wherefore he did put off from the shore? and that if he would leave the coast, he should say so; and he should not do it without the consent of all: and that if hee did otherwise, they would not follow him, but that every one would doe what seemed best unto himselfe. The Governour answered, that hee would doe nothing without their counsell, but that hee did beare off from the land to saile the better and safer by night; and that the next day when time served, he would returne to the sight of land againe. They sailed with a reasonable good wind that day and the night following, and the next day till evening song, alwaies in fresh water; whereat they wondred much: for they were verie farre from land. But the force of the current of the River is so great, and the coast there is so shallow and gentle, that the fresh water entreth farre into Sea. That evening on their right hand they saw certaine creekes, whither they went, and rested there that night: where John Danusco with his reasons wonne them at last, that all consented and agreed to commit themselves to the maine Sea, alleaging, as he had done before, that it was a great advantage, and that their voyage would be much shorter. They sailed two daies, and when they would have come to sight of land they could not, for the winde blew from the shore. On the fourth day, seeing their fresh water began to faile, fearing necessitie and danger, they all complained of John Danusco, and of the Governour that followed his counsell: and every one of the Captaines said, that they would no more goe from the shore, though the Governour went whither he would. It pleased God that the winde changed though but a little: and at the end of foure daies after they had put to sea, being alreadie destitute of water, by force of rowing they got within sight of land, and with great trouble recovered it, in an open roade. That evening the winde came to the South, which on that coast is a crosse winde, and drave the brigandines against the shore, because it blew very hard, and the anchors were so weake, that they yeelded and began to bend. The Governour commanded all men to leape into the water, and going between them and the shore, and thrusting the brigandines into the Sea assoone as the wave was past, they saved them till the winde ceased.They landed the 30. of May, 1539. Chap. 7. they went foorth to sea July 18. 1543.Fresh water almost two daies sailing in the Sea.The coast shallow.Certaine creekes where they rested a night.An open Roade.

CHAP. XL. How they lost one another by a storme, and afterward came together in a crecke.

IN the bay where they rode, after the tempest was past, they went on shore, and with mattockes, which they had, they digged certaine pits, which grew full of fresh water where they filled all the cask, which they had. The next day they departed thence, and sailed two daies, and entred into a creeke like unto a poole, fenced from the South winde, which then did blow, and was against them: and there they staied foure daies, not being able to get out: and when the Sea was calme they rowed out: they sailed that day, and toward evening the winde grew so strong that it drave them on the shore, and they were sorie that they had put foorth from the former harbour: for as soone as night approached a storme began to rise in the Sea, and the winde still waxed more and violent with a tempest. The brigandines lost one another: two of them, which bare more into the Sea, entred into an arme of the Sea, which pearced into the land two leagues beyond the place where the other were that night. The five which staied behinde, being alwaies a league, and halfe a league the one from the other, met together, without any knowledge the one of the other, in a wilde roade where the winde and the waves drove them on shore: for their anchors did streighten and came home; and they could not rule their oares, putting seven or eight men to every oare, which rowed to seaward: and all the rest leaped into the water: and when the wave was past that drave the brigandine on shore, they thrust it againe into Sea with all the diligence and might that they had. Others, while another wave was in comming, with bowles laved out the water that came in overboord. While they were in this tempest in great feare of being cast away in that place, from midnight forward they endured an intollerable torment of an infinite swarme of Moskitoes which fell upon them, which assoone as they had stung the flesh, it so infected it, as though they had bin venomous. In the morning the Sea was asswaged and the wind slaked, but not the Muskitoes: for the sailes which were white seemed blacke with them in the morning. Those which rowed, unlesse others kept them away, were not able to row. Having passed the feare & danger of the storme, beholding the deformities of their faces, and the blowes which they gave themselves to drive them away, one of them laughed at another. They met all together in the creek where the two brigandines were, which outwent their fellowes. There was found a skumme, which they call Copee, which the Sea casteth up, and it is like pitch, wherewith in some places where pitch is wanting, they pitch their ships: there they pitched their brigandines. They rested two daies, and then eftsoones proceeded on their voyage. They sailed two daies more, and landed in a Bay or arme of the Sea, where they staied two daies. The same day that they went from thence sixe men went up in a canoe toward the head of it, and could not see the end of it. They put out from thence with a South winde, which was against them: but because it was little, and for the great desire they had to shorten their voyage, they put out to sea by force of oares, and for all that made very little way with great labour in two daies, and went under the lee of a small Island into an arme of the Sea, which compassed it about. While they were there, there fell out such weather, that they gave God many thankes, that they found out such an harbour. There was great store of fish in that place, which they tooke with nets, which they had, and hookes. Here a man cast an hooke and a line into the Sea, and tied the end of it to his arme, and a fish caught it, and drew him into the water unto the necke: and it pleased God that hee remembred himselfe of a knife that he had, and cut the line with it. There they abode fourteene daies: and at the end of them it pleased God to send them faire weather, for which with great devotion they appointed a procession, and went in procession along the strand, beseeching God to bring them to a land, where they might serve him in better sort.Fresh water is commonlie found by digging in the sands on the sea side.An arme of the sea.A wild roade.A swarme of grievous Moskitoes.A skumme of the sea like pitch, called Copee.Another deep bay.A small Island.Great store of fish.Fourteene daies abode in this place.

CHAP. XLI. How they came to the River of Panuco in Nueva Espanna.

IN all the coast wheresover they digged they round fresh water: there they filled their vessels; and the procession being ended, embarked themselves, and going alwaies in sight of the shore they sailed sixe daies. John Danusco said that it would doe well to beare out to seaward: for he had seene the Seacard, and remembred that from Rio de las Palmas forward the coast did runne from North to South, and thitherto they had runne from East to West, and in his opinion, by his reckoning, Rio de las Palmas could not be farre off, from where they were. That same night they put to sea, and in the morning they saw Palme leaves floting, and the coast, which ranne North and South: from midday forward they saw great Mountaines, which untill then they had not seene: for from this place to Puerto de Spiritu Santo, where they first landed in Florida, was a very plaine low countrey: and therefore it cannot be descried, unlesse a man come very neere it. By that which they saw, they thought that they had overshot Rio de Palmas that night, which is 60 leagues from the River of Panuco, which is in Nueva Espanna. They assembled all together, and some said it was not good to saile by night, lest they should overshoot the River of Panuco: and others said, it was not well to lose time while it was favourable, and that it could not be so neere that they should passe it that night: and they agreed to take away halfe the sailes, and so saile all night. Two of the brigandines, which sailed that night with all their sailes, by breake of day had overshot the River of Panuco without seeing it. Of the five that came behind, the first that came unto it was that wherein Calderan was Captaine. A quarter of a league before they came at it, and before they did see it, they saw the water muddie, and knew it to be fresh water: and comming right against the River, they saw, where it entred into the Sea, that the water brake upon a shold. And because there was no man there that knew it, they were in doubt whether they should goe in, or goe along, and they resolved to goe in: and before they came unto the current, they went close to the shore, and entred into the port: and assone as they were come in, they saw Indian men and women apparelled like Spaniards: whom they asked in what countrey they were? They answered in Spanish, that it was the River of Panuco, and that the towne of the Christians was 15 leagues up within the land. The joy that all of them received upon these newes cannot sufficiently be expressed: for it seemed unto them, that at that instant they were borne again. And many went on shore and kissed the ground, and kneeling on their knees, with lifting up their hands and eyes to heaven, they all ceased not to give God thankes. Those which came after, assoone as they saw Calderan come to an anchor with his brigandine in the River, presently went thither, and came into the haven. The other two brigandines which had overshot the place, put to sea to returne backe to seeke the rest, and could not doe it, because the winde was contrarie and the Sea growne: they were afraid of being cast away, and recovering the shore they cast anchor. While they rode there a storme arose: and seeing that they could not abide there, much lesse endure at Sea, they resolved to runne on shore; and as the brigandines were but small, so did they draw but little water; and where they were it was a sandie coast. By which occasion the force of their sailes drave them on shore, without any hurt of them that were in them. As those that were in the port of Panuco at this time were in great joy; so these felt a double griefe in their hearts: for they knew not what was become of their fellowes, nor in what countrey they were, and feared it was a countrey of Indian enemies. They landed two leagues below the port: and when they saw themselves out of the danger of the Sea, every one tooke of that which he had, as much as he could carrie on his backe: and they travelled up into the countrey, and found Indians, which told them where their fellowes were; and gave them good entertainment: wherewith their sadnes was turned into joy, and they thanked God most humbly for their deliverance out of so many dangers.Six daies sailing.Floting of Palme leaves.Great mountaines.Al the North-side of the Gulfe of Mexico is verie low land, save in this one place.The River of Paunco: the towne 15. leagues from the mouth of the River.

CHAP. XLII. How they came to Panuco, and how they were received of the inhabitants.

FRom the time that they put out of Rio Grande to the sea, at their departure from Florida, until they arrived in the River of Panuco were 52. daies. They came into the River of Panuco the 10. of September, 1543. They went up the River with their brigandines. They travelled foure daies; and because the wind was but little, and many times it served them not, because of the many turnings which the River maketh, and the great current, drawing them up by towing, and that in many places; for this cause they made very little way, and with great labour: and seeing the execution of their desire to be deferred, which was to come among Christians, and to see the celebration of divine service, which so long time they had not seene; they left the brigandines with the mariners, and went by land to Panuco. All of them were apparelled in Deeres skins tanned and died blacke, to wit, cotes, hose, and shooes. When they came to Panuco, presently they went to the Church to pray and give God thankes, that so miraculousely had saved them. The townesmen which before were advertised by the Indians, and knew of their arrival, caried some of them to their houses, and entertained them, whom they knew, and had acquaintance of, or because they were their Countrimen. The Alcalde Mayor tooke the Governour home to his house: and commanded al the rest, assoone as they came, to be lodged 6. & 6. and 10. & 10. according to the habilitie of every townesman. And all of them were provided for by their hostes of many hennes and bread of Maiz, and fruites of the Countrie, which are such as be in the Isle of Cuba, whereof before I have spoken. The towne of Panuco may containe above 70. families; the most of their houses are of lime and stone, and some made of timber, and all of them are thatched. It is a poore Countrie, and there is neither gold nor silver in it: The inhabitants live there in great abundance of victuals and servants. The richest have not above 500. crownes rent a yeere, and that is in cotten clothes, hennes, and Maiz, which the Indians their servants doe give them for tribute. There arrived there of those that came out of Florida three hundred and eleven Christians. Presently the Alcalde Mayor sent one of the townsmen in post to advertise the Viceroy, Don Antonio de Mendoça, which was resident in Mexico, that of the people that went with Don Ferdinando de Soto to discover and conquer Florida, three hundred and eleven men were arived there, that seeing they were imploied in his Majesties service, he would take some order to provide for them. Whereat the Viceroy, and all the inhabitants of Mexico wondred. For they thought they were miscarried, because they had travelled so farre within the maine land of Florida, and had no newes of them for so long a time: and it seemed a wonderfull thing unto them, how they could save themselves so long among Infidels, without any fort, wherein they might fortifie themselves, and without any other succour at all. Presently the Viceroy sent a warrant, wherein hee commanded, that whithersoever they sent, they should give them victuals, and as many Indians for their cariages as they needed: and where they would not furnish them, they might take those things that were necessarie perforce without incurring any danger of law. This warrant was so readilie obeyed, that by the way before they came to the townes, they came to receive them with hennes, and victuals.They arrived in the River of Paunco, 1543, Septem. 10.The description of Panuco.311. Christians arrived at Panuco.

Of the favour which they found at the hands of the Viceroy, and of the inhabitants of the Citie of Mexico.

FRom Panuco to the great Citie of Temistitan Mexico is 60. leagues; and other 60. from Panuco to the Port de Vera Cruz, where they take take shipping for Spaine, and those that come from Spaine do land to go for Nueva Espanna. These three townes stand in a triangle: to wit, Vera Cruz, to the South, Panuco to the North, and Mexico to the West, 60. leagues asunder. The Countrie is so inhabited with Indians, that from towne to towne, those which are farthest, are but a league, and halfe a league asunder. Some of them that came from Florida staied a moneth in Panuco to rest themselves, others fifteene daies, and every one as long as he listed: for there was none that shewed a sower countenance to his guests, but rather gave them any thing that they had, and seemed to be grieved when they took their leave. Which was to be beleeved. For the victuals, which the Indians doe pay them for tribute, are more then they can spend: and in that towne is no commerce; and there dwelt but few Spaniards there, and they were glad of their companie. The Alcalde Mayor divided all the Emperours clothes which he had (which there they pay him for his tribute) among those that would come to receive them. Those which had shirts of maile left, were glad men: for they had a horse for one shirt of maile: Some horsed themselves: and such as could not (which were the greatest part) tooke their journie on foote: in which they were well received of the Indians that were in the townes, and better served, then they could have been in their owne houses, though they had been well to live. For if they asked one hen of an Indian, they brought them foure: and if they asked any of the Countrie fruit, though it were a league off, they ran presently for it. And if any Christian found himselfe evill at ease, they carried him in a chaire from one towne to another. In whatsoever manner of towne they came, the Cacique, by an Indian which carried a rod of justice in his hand, whom they call Tapile, that is to say, a sergeant, commanded them to provide victuals for them, and Indians to beare burdens of such things as they had, and such as were needfull to carrie them that were sicke. The Viceroy sent a Portugall 20. leagues from Mexico, with great store of sugar, raisons of the Sunne, and conserves, and other things fit for sicke folkes, for such as had neede of them: and had given order to cloth them all at the Emperours charges. And their approch being knowne by the citizens of Mexico, they went out of the towne to receive them: and with great courtesie, requesting them in favour to come to their houses, every one carried such as hee met home with him, and clothed them every one the best they could: so that he which had the meanest apparell, it cost above 30. ducats. As many as were willing to come to the Viceroyes house he commanded to be apparelled, and such as were persons of qualitie sate at his table: and there was a table in his house for as many of the meaner sort as would come to it: and he was presently informed, who every one was, to shew him the courtesie that he deserved. Some of the Conquerors did set both gentlemen and clownes at their owne table, and many times made the servant sit cheeke by cheeke by his master: and chiefly the officers and men of base condition did so: for those which had better education did enquire who every one was, and made difference of persons: but all did what they could with a good will: and every one told them whom they had in their houses, that they should not trouble themselves, nor thinke themselves the worse, to take that which they gave them: for they had bin in the like case, and had bin relieved of others, and that this was the custome of that countrey. God reward them all: and God grant, that those which it pleased him to deliver out of Florida, and to bring againe into Christendome, may serve him: and unto those that died into that countrey , and unto all that beleeve in him and confesse his holy faith, God for his mercie sake grant the kingdome of heaven. Amen.This is the manner of China, to carrie men in chaires.

CHAP. XLIV. Which declareth some diversities and particularities of the land of Florida: and the fruites, and beasts, and fowles that are in that Countrie.

FRom the Port de Spiritu Santo, where they landed when they entred into Florida, to the Province of Ocute, which may bee 400. leagues, little more or lesse, is a verie plaine Countrie, and hath many lakes and thicke woods, and in some places they are of wild pinetrees; and is a weake soile: There is in it neither Mountaine nor hill. The Countrie of Ocute is more fat and fruitfull; it hath thinner woods, and very goodly medows upon the Rivers. From Ocute to Cutifachiqui may may be 130. leagues: 80. leagues thereof are desert, and have many groves of wild Pine trees. Through the wildernesse great Rivers doe passe. From Cutifachiqui to Xuala, may be 250. leagues: it is al an hilly Countrie. Cutifachiqui and Xuala stand both in plaine ground, hie, and have goodly medows on the Rivers. From thence forward to Chiaha, Coça, and Talise, is plaine ground, dry and fat, and very plentifull of Maiz. From Xuala to Tascaluça may be 250. leagues. From Tascaluça to Rio Grande, or the Great River, may be 300. leagues: the Countrie is low, and full of lakes. From Rio Grande forward, the Countrie is hier and more champion, and best peopled of all the land of Florida. And along this River from Aquixo to Pacaha, and Coligoa, are 150. leagues: the Countrie is plaine, and the woods thinne, and in some places champion, very fruitfull and pleasant. From Coligoa to Autiamque are 250. leagues of hillie Countrie. From Autiamque to Aguacay may be 230. leagues of plaine ground. From Aguacay to the River of Daycao 120. leagues, all hillie Countrie.Port de Spiritu Santo is in 29. degrees ½ on the West side of Florida.Ocute.Cutifachiqui.Xuala.Chiaha, Coça, and Talise.Tascaluça.Rio Grande.Aquixo.Coligoa.Autiamque.Aguacay.

From the Port de Spiritu Santo unto Apalache, they travelled from East to West, and Northwest. From Cutifachiqui to Xuala from South to North. From Xuala to Coça from East to West. From Coça to Tasculaça, and to Rio Grande, as far as the Provinces of Quizquiz and Aquixo from East to West. From Aquixo to Pacaha to the North. From Pacaha to Tulla from East to West: and from Tulla to Autiamque from North to South, to the Province of Guachoya and Daycao.Pagina 72.

The bread which they eate in all the land of Florida is of Maiz, which is like course millet. And this Maiz is common in all the Islandes and West Indies from the Antiles forward. There are also in Florida great store of Walnuts, and Plummes, Mulberries, and Grapes. They sow and gather their Maiz every one their several crop. The fruits are common to all: for they grow abroad in the open fields in great abundance, without any neede of planting or dressing. Where there be Mountaines, there be chestnuts: they are somewhat smaller then the chestnuts of Spaine. From Rio Grande Westward, the Walnuts differ from those that grow more Eastward: for they are soft, and like unto Acornes: And those which grow from Rio Grande to Puerto del Spiritu Santo for the most part are hard; and the trees and Walnuts in shew like those of Spaine. There is a fruit through all the Countrie which groweth on a plant like Ligoacan, which the Indians doe plant. The fruit is like unto Peares Riall: it hath a verie good smell, and an excellent taste. There groweth another plant in the open field, which beareth a fruit like unto strawberries, close to the ground, which hath a verie good taste. The Plummes are of two kindes, red and gray, of the making and bignesse of nuts, and have three or foure stones in them. These are better then all the plummes of Spaine, and they make farre better Prunes of them. In the Grapes there is onelie want of dressing: for though they bee big, they have a great kirnell. All other fruits are very perfect, and lesse hurtfull then those of Spaine.Maiz.Walnuts, Plummes, Mulberries, Grapes.Chestnuts.Soft Walnuts Eastward from Rio Grande. Hard Walnuts Westward from Rio Grande.A Peare riall.Strawberries.Plummes of two kinds.

There are in Florida many Beares, and Lyens, Wolves, Deere, Dogges, Cattes, Marterns and Conies.Beasts.

There be many wild Hennes as big as Turkies, Partridges small like those of Africa, Cranes, Duckes, Pigeons, Thrushes, and Sparrowes. There are certaine Blacke birds bigger then Sparrows, and lesser then Stares. There are Gosse Hawkes, Falcons, Jerfalcons, and all Fowles of prey that are in Spaine.Fowles.

The Indians are well proportioned. Those of the plaine Countries are taller of bodie, and better shapen, then those of the Mountaines. Those of the Inland have greater store of Maiz, and commodities of the Countrie, then those that dwell upon the sea coast. The Countrie along the sea coast is barren and poore: and the people more warlike. The coast runneth from Puerto del Spiritu Santo to Apalache, East and West; and from Apalache to Rio de las Palmas from East to West: from Rio de las Palmas unto Nueva Espanna from North to South. It is a gentle coast, but it hath many sholdes, and great shelves of sand.

This Relation of the discoverie of Florida was printed in the house of Andrew D. Burgos, Printer and Gentleman of the house of my Lord Cardinall the Infante. It was finished the tenth of Februarie in the yeere one thousand, five hundred, fiftie and seven, in the noble and most loyall citie of Evora.

First Hand Accounts