Anthology
of Louisiana Literature
Fidalgo D'Elvas.
Richard Hackluyt, trans.
A Narrative of the
Expedition of Hernando de Soto into
Florida, by a Gentleman of Elvas, translated from the
Portuguese by Richard Hackluyt, in 1609.
Captain Soto was the son of a squire of Xerez of Badajoz. He went
into the Spanish Indies, when Peter Arias of Avila was Governor of the
West Indies. And there he was without anything else of his own, save his
sword and target: and for his good qualities and valor, Peter Arias made
him captain of a troop of horsemen, and by his commandment he went with
Fernando Pizarro to the conquest of Peru: where (as many persons of
credit reported, which were there present) as well at the taking of
Atabalipa, Lord of Peru, as at the assault of the city of Cusco, and in
all other places where they found resistance, wheresoever he was present,
he passed all other captains and principal persons. For which cause,
besides his part of the treasure of Atabalipa, he had a good share;
whereby in time he gathered a hundred and four score thousand ducats
together, with that which fell to his part; which he brought into Spain;
whereof the Emperor borrowed a certain part, which he repaid again with
60,000 rials of plate in the rent of the silks of Granada, and all the
rest was delivered him in the contractation house of Seville. He took
servants to wit, a steward, a gentleman usher, pages, a gentleman of the
horse, a chamberlain, lackeys, and all other officers that the house of a
noble may require. From Seville he went to the court, and in the
court, there accompanied him John Danusco of Seville, and Lewis Moscoso
D'Alvarado, Nuño de Touar, and John Rodriquez Lobillo.
Except John Danusco, all the rest came with him from Peru: and every one
of them brought fourteen or fifteen thousand ducats: all of them went well
and costly appareled. And although Soto of his own nature was not
liberal, yet because that was the first time that he was to show himself
in the court, he spent frankly, and went accompanied with those which I
have named, and with his servants, and many others which resorted unto
him. He married with Donna Isabella de Bobadilla, daughter of Peter Arias
of Avila, Earl of Punno en Rostro. The Emperor made him the Governor of
the Isle of Cuba, and Adelantado or President of Florida; with a title of
Marquis of certain part of the lands that he should conquer.
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 company that went
with him. And how he with four more escaped and arrived in Nueva España.
Also he brought a relation in writing, of that which he had seen in
Florida; which said in some places: In such a place I have seen this; and
the rest which here I saw, I leave to confer of between his Majesty and
myself. Generally he reported the misery of the country, and the troubles
which he passed: and he told some of his kinsfolk, which were desirous to
go into the Indies, and urged him very much to tell them whether he had
seen any rich country in Florida, that he might not tell them, because he
and another, whose name was Orantes, (who remained in Nueva España with
purpose to return into Florida: for which intent he came into Spain to beg
the government thereof of the Emperor) had sworn not to discover some of
those things which they had seen, because no man should prevent them in
begging the same. And he informed them that it was the richest country of
the world. Don Ferdinando de Soto was very desirous to have him with him,
and made him a favorable offer: and after they were agreed, because Soto
gave him not a sum of money which he demanded to buy a ship, they broke
off again. Baltasar de Gallegos, and Christopher de Spindola, the kinsmen
of Cabeça de Vaca, told him, that for that which he had imparted to them,
they were resolved to pass with Soto into Florida, and therefore they
prayed him to advise them what they were best to do. Cabeça de Vaca told
them, that the cause why he went not with Soto, was because he hoped to
beg another government, and that he was loth to go under the command of
another: and that he came to beg the conquest
of Florida: but seeing Don Ferdinando de Soto had gotten it already, for
his oath's sake he might tell them nothing of that which they would know:
but he counseled them to sell their goods and go with him, and that in so
doing they should do well. As soon as he had opportunity, he spake with
the Emperor, and related unto him whatsoever he had passed and seen, and
come to understand. Of this relation, made by word of mouth to the
Emperor, the Marquis of Astorga had notice, and forthwith determined to
send with Don Ferdinando de Soto his brother Don Antonio Osorio: and with
him two kinsmen of his prepared themselves, to wit, Francis Osorio, and
Garcia Osorio. Don Antonio dispossessed himself of 60,000 rials of rent
which he held by the church; and Francis Osorio of a town of vassals,
which he had in the country de Campos. And they made their rendezvous
with the Adelantado in Seville. The like did Nuñez de Touar, and Lewis de
Moscoso, and John Rodriguez Lobillo, each of whom had brought from Peru
fourteen or fifteen thousand ducats. Lewis de Moscoso carried with him
two brethren; there went also Don Carlos, which had married the governor's
niece, and took her with him. From Badajoz there went Peter Calderan, and
three kinsmen 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 speak to Don Ferdinando
de Soto concerning him, and delivered him certain warrants which he had
received from the Marquis of Villa Real, wherein he gave him the
captainship of Ceuta in Barbarie, that he might show them unto him. And
the Adelantado saw them; and was informed who he was, and wrote unto him,
that he would favor him in all things, and by all means, and would give
him a charge of men in Florida. And from Elvas went Andrew de
Vasconcelos, and Fernan Pegado, Antonio Martinez Sequrado, 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 parts of Spain, many people of noble birth, assembled at
Seville, insomuch that in Saint Lucar many men of good account, which had
sold their goods, remained behind for want of shipping, whereas 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 Emperor, and informed such
persons as he had conference
withal touching the state of that Country. Soto made him great offers,
and being agreed to go with him (as I have said before) because he would
not give him money to pay for a ship, which he had bought, they brake off,
and he went for governor to the river of Plate. His kinsmen,
Christopher de Spindola and Baltasar de Gallegos, went with Soto. Baltasar de
Gallegos sold houses and vineyards, and rent corn, and ninety ranks of
olive trees in the Xarafe of Seville. He had the office of Alcalde Mayor,
and took 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 Gayton, nephew to
the Cardinal of Ciguenza, had the office of treasurer.
The Portuguese departed from Elvas the 15th of January, and came to
Seville the 19th of the same month, and went to the lodging of the
Governor, and entered into a court, over the which were certain galleries
where he was, who came down and received them at the stairs, whereby they
went up into the galleries. When he was come up, he commanded chairs to
be given them to sit on. And Andrew de Vasconcelos told him who he and
the other Portuguese were, and how they all were come to accompany him,
and serve him in his voyage. He gave him thanks, and made show of great
contentment for his coming and offer. And the table being already laid,
he invited them to dinner. And being at dinner, he commanded his steward
to seek a lodging for them near unto his own, where they might be lodged.
The Adelantado departed from Seville to Saint Lucar with all the people
which were to go with him. And he commanded a muster to be made, at the
which the Portuguese showed themselves armed in very bright armor, and the
Castellans very gallant with silk upon silk, with many pinkings and cuts.
The Governor, because these braveries in such an action did not like him,
commanded that they should muster another day, and every one should come
forth with his armor; at the which the Portuguese came as at the first
armed with very good armor. The Governor placed them in order near unto
the standard, which the ensign bearer carried. The Castellans, for the
most part, did wear very bad and rusty shirts of mail, and all of them
head- pieces and steel caps, and very bad lances. Some of them sought to
come among the Portuguese. So those passed and were counted and enrolled
which Soto liked and accepted of, and did accompany him into Florida;
which were in all six hundred men. He had already bought seven ships, and
had all necessary provision
aboard them. He appointed captains, and delivered to every one his ship,
and gave them in a roll what people every one should carry with them.
In the year of our Lord 1538, in the month of April, the Adelantado
delivered his ships to the captains which were to go in them; and took for
himself a new ship, and good of sail, and gave another to Andrew de
Vasconcelos, in which the Portuguese went; he went over the bar of St.
Lucar on Sunday, being St. Lazarus on Sunday, in the morning of the month
and year aforesaid, with great joy, commanding his trumpets to be sounded,
and many shots of the ordnance to be discharged. He sailed four days with
a prosperous wind, and suddenly it calmed; the calms continued eight days
with swelling seas, in such wise that we made no way. The fifteenth day
after his departure from St. Lucar, he came to Gomera, one of the
Canaries, on Easter day in the morning. The Earl of that island was
appareled all in white, cloak, jerkin, hose, shoes and cap, so that he
seemed a Lord of the Gipsies. He received the Governor with much joy; he
was well lodged, and all the rest had their lodgings gratis, and got great
store of victuals for their money, as bread, wine, and flesh; and they
took what was needful for their ships, and the Sunday following, eight
days after their arrival, they departed from the Isle of Gomera. The Earl
gave to Donna Isabella, the Adelantado's wife, a bastard daughter that he
had, to be her waiting-maid. They arrived at the Antilles, in the Isle of
Cuba, at the port of the city of St. Jago, upon Whit-Sunday. As soon as
they came thither, a gentleman of the city sent to the sea-side a very
fair roan horse, and well furnished, for the Governor, and a mule for
Donna Isabella, and all the horsemen and footmen that were in the town
came to receive him at the seaside. The Governor was well lodged,
visited, and served of all the inhabitants of the city, and all his
company had their lodgings freely: those which desired to go into the
country, were divided by four and four, and six and six, in the farms or
granges, according to the ability of the owners of the farms, and were
furnished by them with all things necessary.
The city of St. Jago hath fourscore houses, which are great and well
contrived. The most part have their walls made of boards, and are covered
with thatch; it hath some houses built with lime and stones, and covered
with tiles. It hath great orchards and many trees in them, differing from
those of Spain: there be fig trees which bear figs as big as one's fist,
yellow within, and of small taste; and other trees which bear a fruit
which they call Ananes, in making and bigness like to a small pineapple:
it is a fruit very sweet in taste: the shell being taken
away, the kernel is like a piece of fresh cheese. In the granges abroad
in the country there are other great pineapples, which grow on low trees,
and are like the Aloe tree: they are of a very good smell and exceeding
good taste. Other trees do bear a fruit which they call Mameis, of the
bigness of peaches. This the islanders do hold for the best fruit of the
country. There is another fruit which they call Guayabas, like filberts,
as big as figs. There are other trees as high as a javelin, having one
only stock without any bough, and the leaves as long as a casting dart;
and the fruit is of the bigness and fashion of a cucumber; one bunch
beareth twenty or thirty, and as they ripen the tree bendeth downward with
them: they are called in this country Plantanos, and are of a good taste,
and ripen after they be gathered; but those are the better which ripen
upon the tree itself; they bear fruit but once, and the tree being cut
down, there spring up others out of the but, which bear fruit the next
year. 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 kingdom 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 country is also made of roots which are like
the
Batatas.
And the stock whereon those roots do grow is like an elder
tree: they make their ground in little hillocks, and in each of them they
thrust four or five stakes; and they gather the roots a year and a half
after they set them. If any one, thinking it is a batata or potato root,
chance to eat of it never so little, he is in great danger of death: which
was seen by experience in a soldier, which as soon as he had eaten a very
little of one of those roots, he died quickly. They pare these roots and
Stamp them, and squeeze them in a thing like a press: the juice that
cometh from them is of an evil smell. The bread is of little taste and
less substance. Of the fruits of Spain, there are figs and oranges, and
they bear fruit all the year, because the soil is very rank and fruitful.
In this country are many good horses, and there is green grass all the
year. There be many wild oxen and hogs, whereby the people of the island
are well furnished with flesh. Without the towns abroad in the Country are
many fruits. And it happeneth sometimes that a Christian goeth out of the
way and is lost fifteen or twenty days, because of the many paths in the
thick groves that cross to and fro made by the oxen; and being thus lost
they sustain themselves with fruits and palmîtos — for there be many
great groves of palm trees through all the island — they yield no other
fruit that is of any profit. The Isle of Cuba is three hundred leagues
long from the east to the west, and is in some places thirty, in others
forty leagues from north to south. It hath six towns of Christians, to
wit, St. Jago, Baracôa, Bayamo, Puerto de Principes,
S. Espirito, Havana.
Every one hath between thirty and forty households, except St. Jago and
Havana, which have about sixty or eighty houses. They have churches in
each of them, and a chaplain which confesseth them and saith mass. In St.
Jago is a monastery of Franciscan friars; it hath but few friars, and is
well provided of alms, because the country is rich. The Church of St.
Jago hath honest revenue, and there is a curate and prebends, and many
priests, as the church of that city, which is the chief of all the island.
There is in this country much gold and few slaves to get it; for many have
made away themselves, because of the Christians' evil usage of them in the
mines. A steward of Casquez Porcallo, which was an inhabitor in that
island, understanding that his slaves would make away themselves, stayed
for them with a cudgel in his hand at the place where they were to meet,
and told them that they could neither do nor think anything that he did
not know before, and that he came thither to kill himself, with them, to
the end, that if he had used them badly in this world, he might use them
worse in the world to come: and this was a means that they changed their
purpose, and turned home again to do that which he commanded them.
The Governor sent from St. Jago his nephew Don Carlos, with the ships
in company of Donna Isabella to tarry for him at Havana, which is a haven
in the west part toward the head of the island, one hundred and eighty
leagues from the city of St. Jago. The Governor, and those which stayed
with him, bought horses and proceeded on their journey. The first town
they came unto was Bayamo: they were lodged four and four, and six and
six, as they went in company, and where they lodged, they took nothing for
their diet, for nothing cost them aught save the maize or corn for their
horses, because the Governor went to visit them from town to town, and
seized them in the tribute and service of the Indians. Bayamo is
twenty-five leagues from the city of St. Jago. Near unto the town passeth
a great river which is called Tanto; it is greater than Guadiana, and in
it be very great crocodiles, which sometimes hurt the Indians, or the
cattle which passeth the river. In all the country are neither wolf, fox,
bear, lion, nor tiger. There are wild dogs which go from the houses into
the woods and feed upon swine. There be certain
snakes as big as a man's thigh or bigger; they are very slow, they do no
kind of hurt. From Bayamo to Puerto de los Principes are fifty leagues.
In all the island from town to town, the way is made by stubbing up the
underwood; and if it be left but one year undone, the wood groweth so much
that the way cannot be seen, and the paths of the oxen are so many, that
none can travel without an Indian of the country for a guide: for all the
rest is very high and thick woods. From Puerto de los Principes the
Governor went to the house of Vasquez Porcallo by sea in a boat (for it
was near the sea) to know there some news of Donna Isabella, which at that
instant (as afterwards was known) was in great distress, insomuch 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 storm was
over, they met together without knowing where they were: in the end they
descried the Cape of St. Anton, a country not inhabited of the island of
Cuba; there they watered, and at the end of forty days, which were passed
since their departure from the city of St. Jago, they arrived at Havana.
The Governor was presently informed thereof, and went to Donna Isabella.
And those which went by land, which were one hundred and fifty horsemen,
being divided into two parts, because they would not oppress the
inhabitants, traveled by St. Espirito, which is sixty leagues from Puerto
de los 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 quality
that if it be wet it breaketh presently, whereby it happened to some to
eat flesh without bread for many days. They carried dogs with them, and a
man of the country, which did hunt; and by the way, or where they were to
lodge that night, they killed as many hogs as they needed. In this
journey they were well provided of beef and pork, and they were greatly
troubled with musquitoes, especially in a lake, which is called the mere
of Pia, which they had much ado to pass from noon till night. The water
might be some half league over, and to be swam about a crossbow shot; the
rest came to the waist, and they waded up to the knees in the mire, and in
the bottom were cockle shells, which cut their feet very sore, in such
sort that there was neither boot nor shoe sole that was whole at half way.
Their clothes and saddles were passed in baskets of palm trees. Passing
this lake, stripped out of their clothes, there came many mosquitoes, upon
whose biting there arose a wheal that smarted very much; they struck them
with their hands, and with the blow which they gave they killed so many
that the blood did run down the arms 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 town of thirty
houses; there passeth by it a little river; it is very pleasant and
fruitful, having great store of oranges and citrons, and fruits of the
Country. One-half of the company were lodged here, and the rest passed
forward twenty-five leagues to another town called la Trinidad, of fifteen
or twenty households. Here is an hospital for the poor, and there is none
other in all the island. And they say that this town was the greatest in
all the country, and that before the Christians came into this land, as a
ship passed along the coast there came in it a very sick man, which
desired the captain to set him on shore, and the captain did so, and the
ship went her way. The sick man remained set on shore in that country,
which until 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 town married him unto a daughter of his, and had war with
all the inhabitants round about, and by the industry and valor of the
Christian, he subdued and brought under his command all the people of that
island. A great while after, the Governor Diego Velasques went to conquer
it, and from thence discovered New Spain. And this Christian which was
with the Indians did pacify them, and brought them to the obedience and
subjection of the governor. From this town de la Trinidad unto Havana are
eighty leagues, without any habitation, which they traveled. 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 Spain. The Governor sent from Havana
John Dannusco with a caravele and two brigantines with fifty men to
discover the haven of Florida, and from thence he brought two Indians
which he took upon the coast, wherewith (as well because they might be
necessary for guides and for interpreters, as because they said by signs
that there was much gold in Florida) the Governor and all the company
received much contentment, and longed for the hour of their departure,
thinking in himself that this was the richest country that unto that day
had been discovered.
Heironymous Rowe. Proposed Route of the de Soto Expedition.
Before our departure the Governor deprived Nuño de Touar of the
office of Captain-general, and gave it to Porcallo de Figueroa, an
inhabitant of Cuba, which was a mean that the ship was well furnished with
victuals; for he gave a great many loads of Casabe bread and many hogs.
The Governor took away this office from Nuño de Touar, because he had
fallen in love with the daughter of the
Earl of Gomera, Donna Isabella's waiting- maid, who, though his office
were taken from him (to return again to the Governor's favor), though she
were with child by him, yet took her to his wife, and went with Soto into
Florida. The Governor left Donna Isabella in Havana, and with her
remained the wife of Don Carlos, and the wives of Baltasar de Gallegos,
and of Nuño de Touar. And he left for his lieutenant a gentleman of
Havana, called John de Poias, for the government of the island.
On Sunday the 18th of May, in the year of our Lord 1539, the
Adelantado or president departed from Havana in Cuba with his fleet, which
were nine vessels, five great ships, two caravels, and two brigantines.
They sailed seven days with a prosperous wind. The 25th day of May, the
day de
Pasca de Spirito Santo
(which we call Whitson Sunday), they saw
the land of Florida, and because of the shoals, they came to an anchor a
league from the shore. On Friday the 30th of May they landed in Florida,
two leagues from a town of an Indian lord called Ucita. They set on land
two hundred and thirteen horses, which they brought with them to unburden
the ships, that they might draw the less water. He landed all his men,
and only the seamen remained in the ships, which in eight days, going up
with the tide every day a little, brought them up unto the town. As soon
as the people were come on shore, he pitched his camp on the sea-side,
hard upon the bay which went up unto the town. And presently the
Captain-general, Vasquez Porcallo, with other seven horsemen foraged the
country half a league round about, and found six Indians, which resisted
him with their arrows, which are the weapons which they used to fight
withal. The horsemen killed two of them, and the other four escaped;
because the country is cumbersome with woods and hogs, where the horses
stuck fast, and fell with their riders, because they were weak with
traveling upon the sea. The same night following, the Governor with an
hundred men in the brigantines lighted upon a town, which he found without
people, because that as soon 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 camp, set the men in order, the horsemen in three squadrons,
the vanguard, the battalion, and the rereward; and so they marched that
day and the day following, compassing great creeks which came out of the
bay. They came to the town of Ucita,
where the Governor was on Sunday the first of June, being Trinity Sunday.
The town was of seven or eight houses. The lord's house stood near the
shore upon a very high mount, made by hand for strength. At another end
of the town stood the church, and on the top of it stood a fowl made of
wood with gilded eyes. Here were found some pearls of small value,
spoiled with the fire, which the Indians do pierce and string them like
beads, and wear them about their necks and handwrists, and they esteem
them very much. The houses were made of timber, and covered with palm
leaves. The Governor lodged himself in the lord's houses, and with him
Vasquez Porcallo, and Luys de Moscoso; and in others that were in the
midst of the town, was the chief Alcalde or justice, Baltasar de Gallegos
lodged; and in the same houses was set in a place by itself all the
provision that came in the ships; the other houses and the church were
broken down, and every three or four soldiers made a little cabin wherein
they lodged. The Country round about was very fenny, and encumbered with
great and high trees. The Governor commanded to fell the woods a crossbow
shot round about the town, that the horses might run, and the Christians
might have the advantage of the Indians, if by chance they should set upon
them by night. In the ways and places convenient they had their sentinels
of footmen by two and two in every stand, which did watch by turns, and
the horsemen did visit them, and were ready to assist them if there were
any alarm. The Governor made four captains of the horsemen and two of the
footmen. The captains of the horsemen were one of them Andrew de
Masconcelos, and another Pedro Calderan de Badajoz; and the other two were
his kinsmen, to wit, Arias Timoco, and Alfonso Romo, born likewise in
Badajoz. The captains of the footmen, the one was Francisco Maldonado of
Salamanca, and the other Juan Rodriquez Lobillo. While we were in this
town of Ucita, the two Indians which John Danusco had taken on that coast,
and the Governor carried along with him for guides and interpreters,
through carelessness of two men which had the charge of them escaped away
one night; for which the Governor and all the rest were very sorry, for
they had already made some roads, and no Indians could be taken, because
the country was full of marsh grounds, and in some places full of very
high and thick woods.
From the town of Ucita the Governor sent the Alcalde Mayor, Baltasao
de Gallegos, with forty horsemen and eighty footmen into the country to
see if they could take any Indians; and the Captain John Rodriquez Lobillo
another way with fifty footmen: the most of
them were swordsmen and targeters, and the rest were shot and crossbowmen.
They passed through a country full of hogs, where horses could not travel.
Half a league from the camp they lighted upon certain cabins of Indians
near a river. The people that were in them leaped into the river, yet they
took four Indian women. And twenty Indians charged us and so distressed
us, that we were forced to retire to our camp, being, as they are,
exceeding ready with their weapons. It is a people so warlike and so
nimble, that they care not a whit for any footmen. For if their enemies
charge them they run away, and if they turn 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 always running and traversing from one
place to another, by reason whereof neither crossbow nor arquebuss can aim
at them; and before one crossbowman can make one shot an Indian will
discharge three or four arrows, and he seldom misseth what he shooteth at.
An arrow where it findeth no armor, pierceth as deeply as a crossbow.
Their bows are very long, and their arrows are made of certain canes like
reeds, very heavy, and so strong that a sharp cane passeth through a
target. Some they arm in the point with a sharp bone of a fish like a
chisel, and in others they fasten certain stones like points of diamonds.
For the most part when they light upon an armor they break in the place
where they are bound together. Those of cane do split and pierce a coat
of mail, and are more hurtful than the other. John Rodriquez Lobillo
returned to the camp with six men wounded, whereof one died; and brought
the four Indian women which Baltasar Gallegos had taken in the cabins or
cottages. Two leagues from the town, coming into the plain field, he
espied ten or eleven Indians, among whom was a Christian, which was naked
and scorched with the sun, and had his arms razed after the manner of the
Indians, and differed nothing at all from them. And as soon as the
horsemen saw them they ran toward them. The Indians fled, and some of them
hid themselves in a wood, and they overtook two or three of them which
were wounded; and the Christian seeing a horseman run upon him with his
lance, began to cry out, "Sirs, I am a Christian, slay me not, nor these
Indians, for they have saved my life." And straight-way he called them and
put them out of fear, and they came forth of the wood unto them. The
horsemen took both the Christian and the Indians up behind them, and
toward night came into the camp with much joy; which thing being known by
the Governor, and them that remained in the camp, they were received with
the like.
This Christian's name was John Ortiz, and he was born in Seville,
of worshipful parentage. He was twelve years in the hands of the Indians.
He came into this country with Pamphilo de Narvaez, and returned in the
ships to the Island of Cuba, where the wife of the Governor Pamphilo de
Narvaez was, and by his commandment with twenty or thirty others in a
brigantine returned back again to Florida, and coming to the port in the
sight of the town, on the shore they saw a cane sticking in the ground,
and riven at the top, and a letter in it; and they believed that the
governor had left it there to give advertisement of himself when he
resolved to go up into the land, and they demanded it of four or five
Indians which walked along the sea-shore, and they bade them by signs to
come on shore for it, which against the will of the rest John Ortiz and
another did. And as soon as they were on land, from the houses of the
town issued a great number of Indians, which compassed them about and took
them in a place where they could not flee; and the other, which sought to
defend himself, they presently killed upon the place, and took John Ortiz
alive, and carried him to Ucita their lord. And those of the brigantine
sought not to land, but put themselves to sea, and returned to the Island
of Cuba. Ucita commanded to bind John Ortiz hand and foot upon four
stakes aloft upon a raft, and to make a fire under him, that there he
might be burned. But a daughter of his desired him that he would not put
him to death, alleging that one only Christian could do him neither hurt
nor good, telling him that it was more for his honor to keep him as a
captive. And Ucita granted her request, and commanded him to be cured of
his wounds; and as soon as he was whole he gave him the charge of the
keeping of the temple, because that by night the wolves did carry away the
dead corpses out of the same — who commended himself to God and took upon
him the charge of his temple. One night the wolves got from him the
corpse of a little child, the son of a principal Indian, and going after
them he threw a dart at one of the wolves, and struck that carried away
the corpse, who, feeling himself wounded left it, and fell down dead near
the place; and he not woting what he had done, because it was night, went
back again to the temple; the morning being come and finding not the body
of the child, he was very sad. As soon as Ucita knew thereof he resolved
to put him to death, and sent by the track which he said the wolves went,
and found the body of the child, and the wolf dead a little beyond,
whereat Ucita was much contented with the Christian, and with the watch
which he kept in the temple, and from thenceforward esteemed him much.
Three years after he fell into his hands there came another lord called
Mocoço, who dwelleth two days' journey from the port, and burnt his town.
Ucita fled to another town that he had in another sea-port. Thus John
Ortiz lost his office and favor that he had with him. These people being
worshipers of the devil, 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 do 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 damsel 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 she knew that he would
use him well; for she heard say that he had asked for him and said he
would be glad to see him, and because he knew not the way she went with
him half a league out of the town by night and set him in the way, and
returned because she would not be discovered. John Ortiz traveled all
that night, and by the morning came to a river which is the territory 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 he knew
not the language of Mocoço, he was afraid, because he could not tell them
who he was, nor how he came thither, nor was able to answer anything for
himself, 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; and as soon as they saw him they fled toward the town, 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 as
soon as they came to the town with great outcries, many Indians came forth
against him, and began to compass him to shoot at him. John Ortiz seeing
himself in so great danger, shielded himself with certain trees, and began
to shriek out and cry very loud, and to tell them that he was a Christian,
and that he was fled 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 speak the language and understood him, and pacified the
rest, who told them what he said. Then ran from thence three or four
Indians to bear the news to their lord, who came forth a quarter of a
league from the town to receive him, and was very glad of him. He caused
him presently to swear according to the custom of the Christians, that he
would not run away from him to any other lord, and promised him to entreat
him very well; and that if at any time there came any Christians into that
country, he would freely let him go, and give him leave to go to
them; and likewise took his oath to perform the same according to the
Indian custom. About three years after certain Indians, which were
fishing at sea two leagues from the town, brought news to Mocoço that they
had seen ships, and he 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 learn his mind. So he dwelt with Mocoço nine years,
with small hope of seeing any Christians. As soon as our Governor arrived
in Florida, it was known to Mocoço, and straightway he signified to John
Ortiz that Christians were lodged in the town of Ucita; and he thought he
had jested with him as he 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 license to go unto
them, saying unto him that if he would not do it, and if the Christians
should go their way, he should not blame him, for he had fulfilled that
which he had promised him. The joy of John Ortiz was so great, that he
could not believe that it was true; notwithstanding he gave him thanks,
and took his leave of him, and Mocoço gave him ten or eleven principal
Indians to bear him company; and as they went to the port where the
Governor was, they met with Baltasar de Gallegos, as I have declared
before. As soon as he was come to the camp, the Governor commanded to
give him a suit of apparel, and very good armor, and a fair horse; and
inquired of him whether he had notice of any country where there was any
gold or silver. He answered, No, because he never went ten leagues
compass from the place where he dwelt; but that
thirty leagues from thence
dwelt an Indian lord, which was called Paracossi, to whom Mocoço
and Ucita, with all the rest of that coast paid tribute, and that he
peradventure might have notice of some good country, and that his land was
better than that of the sea-coast, and more fruitful and plentiful of
maize. Whereof the Governor received great contentment, and said that he
desired no more than to find victuals, that he might go into the main
land, for the land of Florida was so large, that in one place or other
there could not choose but be some rich country.
The Cacique Mocoço came
to the port to visit the Governor, and made this speech following.
"Right high and mighty lord, I being lesser in mine own conceit for
to obey you, than any of those which you have under your command,
and greater in desire to do you greater services, do appear before your
lordship with so much confidence of receiving favor, as if in effect this
my good will were manifested unto you in works; not for the small service
I did unto you touching the Christian which I had in my power, in giving
him freely his liberty (for I was bound to do it to preserve mine honor,
and that which I had promised him), but because it is the part of great
men to use great magnificences. And I am persuaded that as in bodily
perfections, and commanding of good people, you do exceed all men in the
world, so likewise you do in the parts of the mind, in which you may boast
of the bounty of nature. The favor which I hope for of your lordship is,
that you would hold me for yours, and bethink yourself to command me
anything wherein I may do you service."
The Governor answered him, "That although in freeing and sending him
the Christian, he had preserved his honor and promise, yet he thanked him,
and held it in such esteem as it had no comparison; and that he would
always hold him as his brother, and would favor all things to the utmost
of his power." Then he commanded a shirt to be given him, and other
things, wherewith the cacique being very well contented, took his leave of
him, and departed to his own town.
From the Port de Spirito Santo where the Governor lay, he sent the
Alcalde Mayor Baltasar de Gallegos with fifty horsemen, and thirty or
forty footmen to the province of Paracossi, to view the disposition of the
country, and inform himself of the land farther inward, and to send him
word of such things as he found. Likewise he sent his ships back to the
Island of Cuba, that they might return within a certain time with
victuals. Basque Porcallo de Figueroa, which went with the Governor as
Captain-general, (whose principal intent was to send slaves from Florida
to the Island of Cuba, where he had his goods and mines,) having made some
inroads, and seeing no Indians were to be got, because of the great hogs
and woods that were in the country, considering the disposition of the
same, determined to return to Cuba. And though there was some difference
between and 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 Gallegos came to the
Paracossi. There came to him thirty Indians from the cacique, which was
absent from his town, and one of them made this speech:
"Paracossi, the lord of this province, whose vassals we are, sendeth
us unto your worship, to know what it is that you seek in this his
country, and wherein he may do you service."
Baltasar de Gallegos said unto him that he thanked them very much for
their offer, willing them to warn their lord to come to his town, and that
there they would talk and confirm their peace and friendship, which he
much desired. The Indians went their way and returned next day, and said
that their lord was ill at ease, and therefore could not come; but that
they came on his behalf to see what he demanded. He asked them if they
knew or had notice of any rich country where there was gold or silver.
They told him they did, and that towards the west there was a province
which was called Cale; and that others that inhabited other countries had
war with the people of that country, where the most part of the year was
summer, and that there was much gold; and that when those their enemies
came to make war with them of Cale, these inhabitants of Cale did wear
hats of gold, in manner of head-pieces. Baltasar de Gallegos seeing that
the cacique came not, thinking all that they said was feigned, with intent
that in the meantime they might set themselves in safety, fearing that if
he did let them go, they would return no more, commanded the thirty
Indians to be chained, and sent word to the Governor by eight horsemen
what had passed; whereof the Governor with all that were with him at the
Port de Spirito Santo received great comfort, supposing that that which
the Indians reported might be true. He left Captain Calderan at the port,
with thirty horsemen and seventy footmen, with provision for two years,
and himself with all the rest marched into the main land, and came to the
Paracossi, at whose town Baltasar de Gallegos was; and from thence with
all his men took the way to Cale. He passed by a little town called
Acela, and came to another called Tocaste; and from thence he went before
with thirty horsemen and fifty footmen towards Cale. And passing by a
town whence the people were fled, they saw Indians a little distance from
thence in a lake, to whom the interpreter spoke. They came unto them and
gave them an Indian for a guide; and he 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 other side; for one, which they drove in at the first
without it, was drowned. From thence the Governor sent two horsemen to his
people that were behind, to make haste after him; because the way grew
long, and their victuals short. He came to Cale, and found the town
without people. He took three Indians which were spies, and tarried
there for his people that came after, which were sore vexed with hunger
and evil ways, because the country was very barren of maize, low, and full
of water, bogs, and thick woods; and the victuals which they brought with
them from the Port de Spirito Santo, were spent. Wheresoever any town was
found, there were some beets, and he that came first gathered them, and
sodden with water and salt, did eat them without any other thing; and such
as could not get them, gathered the stalks of maize and eat them, which
because they were young had no maize in them. When they came to the river
which the Governor had passed, they found palmitos upon low palm trees
like those of Andalusia. There they met with the two horsemen which the
Governor sent unto them, and they brought news that in Cale there was
plenty of maize, at which news they all rejoiced. As soon as they came to
Cale, the Governor commanded them to gather all the maize that was ripe in
the field, which was sufficient for three months. At the gathering of it
the Indians killed three Christians, and one of them which were taken told
the Governor, that within seven days' journey there was a very great
province, and plentiful of maize, which was called Apalache. And
presently he departed from Cale with fifty horsemen, and sixty footmen.
He left the master of the camp, Luys de Moscoso, with all the rest of the
people there, with charge that he would not depart thence until he had
word from him. And because hitherto none had gotten any slaves, the bread
that every one was to eat he was fain himself to beat in a mortar made in
a piece of timber, with a pestle, and some of them did sift the flour
through their shirts of mail. They baked their bread upon certain
tileshares which they set over the fire, in such sort as heretofore I have
said they used to do in Cuba. It is so troublesome to grind their maize,
that there were many that would rather not eat it than grind it; and did
eat the maize parched and sodden.
The second day of August, 1539, the Governor departed from Cale; he
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 town which they
named the town of Evil peace; because an Indian came in peace, saying,
that he was the cacique, and that he with his people would serve the
Governor, and that if he would set free twenty-eight 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 Governor commanded them to be set at liberty, and to keep
him in safeguard. The next day in the morning there came many Indians, and
set
themselves round about the town near to a wood. The Indian wished them to
carry him near them, and that he would speak unto them, and assure them,
and that they would do whatsoever he commanded them. And when he saw
himself near unto them he broke 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 Governor commanded to loose a greyhound,
which was already fleshed on them, which passing by many other Indians,
caught the counterfeit cacique which had escaped from the Christians, and
held him till they came to take him. From thence the Governor lodged at a
town called Cholupaha, and because it had store of maize in it, they named
it Villa farta. Beyond the same there was a river, on which he made a
bridge of timber, and traveled two days through a desert. The 17th of
August he came to Caliquen, where he was informed of the province of
Apalache. They told him that Pamphilo de Narvaez had been there, and that
there he took shipping, because he could find no way to go forward. That
there was none other town at all; but that on both sides was all water.
The whole company were very sad for this news, and counseled the Governor
to go back to the Port de Spirito Santo, and to abandon the country of
Florida, lest he should perish as Narvaez had done; declaring that if he
went forward, he could not return back when he would, and that the Indians
would gather up that small quantity of maize which was left. Whereunto
the Governor answered that he would not go back, till he had seen with his
eyes that which they reported; saying that he could not believe it, and
that we 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
there. Luys de Moscoso and many others thought that from Apalache they
should return back; and in Cale they buried their iron tools, and divers
other things. They came to Caliquen with great trouble; because the
country which the Governor had passed by, was spoiled and destitute of
maize. After all the people were come together, he commanded a bridge to
be made over a river that passed near the town. He departed from Caliquen
the 10th of September, and carried the cacique with him. After he had
traveled three days, 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 kinsman 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, and sent
them away from day to day with good words He traveled five days; he passed
by some small towns; he came to a town called Napetuca, the 15th day of
September. Thither came fourteen or fifteen 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 he would have him to
accompany him to Uzachil. The Governor had notice by John Ortiz, that an
Indian told him how they determined to gather themselves together, and
come upon him, and give him battle, and take away the cacique from him.
The day that it was agreed upon, the Governor commanded his men to be in
readiness, and that the horsemen should be ready armed and on horse-back
every one in his lodging, because the Indians might not see them, and so
more confidently come to the town. There came four hundred Indians in
sight of the camp with their bows and arrows, and placed themselves in a
wood, and sent two Indians to bid the Governor to deliver them the
cacique. The Governor with six footmen leading the cacique by the hand,
and talking 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 town 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 Governor's, and he was presently horsed again upon another. There
were thirty or forty Indians slain. 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 calivermen and
crossbowmen shot at them from the bank; but the distance being great, and
shooting afar off, they did them no hurt. The Governor commanded that the
same night they should compass one of the lakes, because they were so
great, that there were not men enough to compass them both; being beset,
as soon as night shut in, the Indians, with determination to run away,
came swimming very softly to the bank; and to hide themselves they put a
water lily leaf on their heads. The horsemen, as soon as they perceived
it to stir, ran into the water to the horses' breasts, and the Indians
fled again into the lake. So this night passed without any rest on both
sides. John Ortiz persuaded them that seeing they could not escape, they
should yield themselves to the Governor; which they did, enforced
thereunto by the coldness of the water; and one by one, he first whom the
cold did
first overcome, cried to John Ortiz, desiring that they would not kill
him, for he came to put himself into the hands of the Governor. By the
morning watch they made an end of yielding themselves; only twelve
principal men, being more honorable and valorous than the rest, resolved
rather to die than to come into his hands. And the Indians of Paracossi,
which were now loosed out of chains, went swimming to them, and pulled
them out by the hair of their heads, and they were all put in chains, and
the next day were divided among the Christians for their service. Being
thus in captivity, they determined to rebel; and gave in charge to an
Indian which was interpreter, and held to be valiant, that as soon as the
Governor did come to speak with him, he should cast his hands about his
neck, and choke him: who, when he saw opportunity, laid hands on the
Governor, and before he cast his hands about his neck, he gave him such a
blow on the nostrils, that he 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 maize, sought to kill his master, or the
first he met before him; and he that could get a lance or sword at hand,
bestirred himself in such sort with it, as though he had used it all his
lifetime. One Indian in the market-place enclosed between fifteen or
twenty footmen, made a way like a bull, with a sword in his hand, till
certain halbardiers of the Governor came, which killed him. Another got
up with a lance to a loft made of canes, which they build to keep their
maize in, which they call a barbacoa, and there he made such a noise as
though ten men had been there defending the door; they slew him with a
partizan. The Indians were in all about two hundred men. They were all
subdued. And some of the youngest the Governor gave to them which had good
chains, and were careful to look to them that they got not away. All 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 shoot them to
death.
The Governor departed from Napetuca the 23d 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 town called Hapaluya, and
lodged at Uzachil, and found no people in it, because they durst not tarry
for the notice the Indians had of the slaughter of Napetuca. He found in
that town great store of maize, French beans, and pompions, which is their
food, and that wherewith the Christians there sustained themselves. The
maize is like coarse millet, and the pompions are better and more savory
than those of
Spain. From thence the Governor sent two captains each a sundry way to
seek the Indians. They took an hundred men and women; of which as well
there as in other place where they made any inroads, the captain chose one
or two for the Governor, and divided the rest to himself, and those that
went with him. They led these Indians in chains with iron collars about
their necks; and they served to carry their stuff, and to grind their
maize, and for other services that such captives could do. Sometimes it
happened that going for wood or maize with them, they killed the Christian
that led them, and ran away with the chain; others filed their chains by
night with a piece of stone, wherewith they cut them, and use it instead
of iron. Those that were perceived paid for themselves, and for the rest,
because they should not dare to do the like another time. The women and
young boys, when they were once an hundred leagues from their country, and
had forgotten things, they let go loose, and so they served; and in a very
short space they understood the language of the Christians. From Uzachil
the Governor departed toward Apalache, and in two days' journey he came to
a town called Axille, and from thence forward the Indians were careless,
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 be made over a river which he was to pass. The depth of the
river where the bridge was made, was a stone's cast, and forward a
cross-bow shot the water came to the waist; and the wood whereby the
Indians came to see if they could defend the passage, and disturb those
which made the bridge, was very high and thick. The crossbowmen so
bestirred themselves that they made them give back; and certain planks
were cast into the river, whereon the men passed, which made good the
passage. The Governor passed upon Wednesday, which was St. Francis' day,
and lodged at a town which was called Vitachuco, subject to Apalache: he
found it burning, for the Indians had set it on fire. From thence forward
the country was much inhabited, and had great store of maize. He passed
by many granges like hamlets. On Sunday, the 25th of October, he came to
a town which is called Uzela, and upon Tuesday to Anaica Apalache, where
the lord of all that country and province was resident; in which town the
camp master, whose office is to quarter out, and lodge men, did lodge all
the company round about within a league, and half a league of it. There
were other towns, where was great store of maize, pompions, French beans,
and plums of the country, which are better than those of Spain, and they
grow in the fields without planting.
The victuals that were thought necessary to pass the winter, were gathered
from these towns to Anaica Apalache. The Governor was informed that the
sea was ten leagues from thence. He presently sent a captain thither with
horsemen and footmen. And six leagues on the way he found a town which
was named Ochete, and so came to the sea; and found a great tree felled,
and cut into pieces, with stakes set up like mangers, and saw the skulls
of horses. He returned with this news. And that was held for certain,
which was reported of Pamphilo de Narvaez, that there he had built the
barks wherewith he went out of the land of Florida, and was cast away at
sea. Presently the Governor sent John Danusco with thirty horse-men to
the Port de Spirito Santo where Calderan was, with order that they should
abandon the port, and all of them come to Apalache. He departed on
Saturday the 17th of Novemher. In Uzachil and other towns that stood in
the way he found great store of people already careless. He would take
none of the Indians, for not hindering himself, because it behooved him to
give them no leisure to gather themselves together. He passed through the
towns by night, and rested without the towns three or four hours. In ten
days he came to the Port de Spirito Santo. He carried with him twenty
Indian women, which he took in Ytara,
and Potano, near unto Cale, and sent
them to Donna Isabella in the two caravels, which he sent from the Port de
Spirito Santo to Cuba. And he carried all the footmen in the brigantines,
and coasting along the shore came to Apalache. And Calderan, with the
horsemen, and some crossbowmen on foot, went by land; and in some places
the Indians set upon him, and wounded some of his men. As soon as he came
to Apalache, presently the Governor sent sawed planks and spikes to the
seaside, wherewith was made a piraqua or bark, wherein were embarked
thirty men well armed, which went out of the bay to the sea, looking for
the brigantines. Sometimes they fought with the Indians, which passed
along the harbor in their canoes. Upon Saturday, the 29th of November,
there came an Indian through the watch undiscovered, and sat the town on
fire, and with the great wind that blew two parts of it were consumed in a
short time. On Sunday the 28th of December, came John Danusco with the
brigantines. The Governor sent Francisco Maldonado, a captain of footmen,
with fifty men to discover the coast westward, and to seek some port,
because he had determined to go by land, and discover that part. That day
there went out eight horsemen by commandment of the Governor into the
field, two leagues about the town, to seek Indians; for they were
now so emboldened, that within two crossbow shot of the camp, they came
and slew men. They found two men and a woman gathering French beans; 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 slain, they wounded three horses, whereof one died within
a few days after. Calderan going with his men by the sea-coast, from a
wood that was near the place, the Indians set upon him, and made him
forsake his way, and many of them that went with him forsook some
necessary victuals, which they carried with them. Three or four days
after the limited time given by the Governor to Maldonado for his going
and coming, being already determined and resolved, if within eight days he
did not come, to tarry no longer for him, he came, and brought an Indian
from a province which was called Ochus, sixty leagues westward from
Apalache; where he had found a port of good depth, and defence against
weather. And because the Governor hoped to find a good country forward,
be was very well contented. And he sent Maldonado for victuals to Havana,
with order that he should tarry for him at the port of Ochus, which he
had discovered, for he would go seek it by land; and if he should chance
to stay, and not come thither that summer, that then he should return to
Havana, and should come again the next summer after, and tarry for him at
that port; for he said he would do none other thing but go to seek Ochus
Francisco Maldonado departed, and in his place for captain of the footmen
remained John de Guzman. Of those Indians which were taken in Napetuca,
the Treasurer John Gayton had a young man, which said that he was not of
that country, but of another far off toward the sun rising, and that it
was long since he had traveled to see countries; and that his country was
called Yupaha, and that a woman did govern it; and that the town where she
was resident was of a wonderful bigness, and that many lords round about
were tributaries to her; and some gave her clothes, and others gold in
abundance; and he told how it was taken out of the mines, and was molten
and refined, as if he had seen it done, or the devil had taught it him.
So that all those which knew anything concerning the same, said that it
was impossible to give so good a relation, without having seen it; and all
of them, as if they had seen it, by the signs that he gave, believed all
that he said to be true.
On Wednesday, the third of March, of the year 1540, the Governor
departed from Anaica Apalache to seek Yupaha.
He commanded his men to go
provided with maize for sixty leagues of desert.
The horsemen carried their maize on their horses, and the foot men at
their sides; because the Indians that were for service, with their
miserable life that they led that winter, being naked and in chains, died
for the most part. Within four days' journey they came to a great river;
and they made a piragua or ferry boat, and because of the great current,
they made a cable with chains, which they fastened on both sides of the
river; and the ferry boat went along by it, and the horses swam over,
being drawn with capstans. Having passed the river in a day and a half,
they came to a town called Capachiqui. Upon Friday the 11th of March, they
found Indians in arms. The next day five Christians went to seek mortars,
which the Indians have to beat their maize, and they went to certain
houses on the back side of the camp environed with a wood. And within the
wood were many Indians which came to spy us; of the which came other five
and set upon us. One of the Christians came running away, giving an alarm
unto the camp. Those which were most ready answered the alarm. They
found one Christian dead, and three sore wounded. The Indians fled unto a
lake adjoining near a very thick wood, where the horses could not enter.
The Governor departed from Capachiqui and passed through a desert. On
Wednesday, the twenty-first of the month, he came to a town 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 very cleanly.
Some of them had walls daubed with clay, which showed like a mud-wall. In
all the cold country the Indians have every one a house for the winter
daubed with clay within and without, and the door is very little; they
shut it by night, and make fire within; so that they are in it as warm 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 kitchens near them,
where they make fire and bake their bread; and they have barbacoas wherein
they keep their maize; which is a house set up in the air upon four
stakes, boarded about like a chamber, and the floor of it is of cane
hurdles. The difference which lords or principal men's houses have from
the rest, besides they be greater, is, that they have great galleries in
their fronts, and under them seats made of canes in manner of benches; and
round about them they have many lofts, wherein they lay up that which the
Indians do give them for tribute, which is maize, deers' skins, and
mantles of the country, which are like blankets; they make them of the
inner rind of the barks of trees, and some of a kind of grass like unto
nettles, which being
beaten, is like unto flax. The women cover themselves with these mantles;
they put one about them from the waist downward, and another over their
shoulder, with their right arm out, like unto the Egyptians. The men wear
but one mantle upon their shoulders after the same manner; and have their
secrets hid with a deer's skin, made like a linen breech, which was wont
to be used in Spain. The skins are well curried, and they give them what
color they list, so perfect, that if it be red, it seemeth a very fine
cloth in grain, and the black is most fine, and of the same leather they
make shoes; and they dye their mantles in the same colors. The Governor
departed from Toalli the 24th 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 Portuguese, fell off from it, and was drowned. As soon
as the Governor had passed the river, a little distance thence he found a
town 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 Governor 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
Governor sent by one of the Indians that were taken to call the cacique,
which was on the other side of the river. He came, and made this speech
following:
"Right high, right mighty, and excellent lord, those things which
seldom happen do cause admiration. What then may the sight of your
lordship and your people do to me and mine, whom we never saw? especially
being mounted on such fierce beasts as your horses are, entering with such
violence and fury into my country, without my knowledge of your coming. It
was a thing so strange, and caused such fear and terror in our minds, that
it was not in our power to stay and receive your lordship with the
solemnity due to so high and renowned a prince as your lordship is. And
trusting in your greatness and singular virtues, I do not only 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 Country, and subjects as
your own; and the second, that you will tell me who you are, and whence
you come, and whither you go, and what you seek, that I the better may
serve you therein."
The Governor answered him, that he thanked him as much for his offer
and good-will as if he had received it, and as if he had offered him a
great treasure; and told him that he was the son of the Sun, and came from
those parts where he dwelt, and traveled through that
country, 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. He gave him a guide and an interpreter for
that province. The Governor commanded his Indians to be set free, and
traveled through his country up a river very well inhabited. He departed
from his town the first of April; and left a very high cross of wood set
up in the midst of the market-place; and because the time gave no more
leisure, he declared to him only that that cross was a memory 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 show as though they would do so. The
fourth of April the Governor passed by a town called Altamaca, and the
tenth of the month he came to Ocute. The cacique sent him two thousand
Indians with a present, to wit, many conies and partridges, bread of
maize, two hens, and many dogs; which among the Christians were esteemed
as if they had been fat wethers, because of the great want of flesh meat
and salt, and hereof in many places, and many times was great need; and
they were so scarce, that if a man fell sick, there was nothing to cherish
him withal; and with a sickness, that in another place easily might have
been remedied, he consumed away till nothing but skin and bones were left;
and they died of pure weakness, some of them saying, "If I had a slice of
meat or a few corns of salt, I should not die. The Indians want no flesh
meat; for they kill with their arrows many deer, hens, conies, and other
wild fowl, for they are very cunning at it, which skill the Christians had
not; and though they had it, they had no leisure to use it; for the most
of the time they spent in travel, and durst not presume to straggle aside.
And because they were thus scanted of flesh, when six hundred men that
went with Soto came to any town, and found thirty or forty dogs, he that
could get one and kill it thought himself no small man; and he that killed
it and gave not his captain one quarter, if he knew it he frowned on him,
and made him feel it in the watches, or in any other matter of labor that
was offered, wherein he might do him a displeasure. On Monday, the twelfth
of April, 1540, the Governor departed from Ocute. The cacique gave him
two hundred Tamenes, to wit, Indians to carry burdens; he passed through a
town, 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 days before notice of
the Governor, and desired to see him. He came to visit him, and made this
speech following.
"Mighty lord, now with good reason I will crave of fortune to requite
this my so great prosperity with some small adversity; and I will count
myself very rich, seeing that I have obtained that which in this world I
most desired, which is to see and be able to do your lordship some
service. And although the tongue be the image of that which is in the
heart, and that the contentment which I feel in my heart I cannot
dissemble, yet is it not sufficient wholly to manifest the same. Where
did this your country, which I do govern, deserve to be visited of so
sovereign 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
be the issue of such happiness, if their memory do not represent unto them
some adversity 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 bold us for your own, we cannot fail to be favored and
maintained in true justice and reason, and to have the name of men. For
such as are void of reason and justice, may be compared to brute beasts.
For mine own part, from my very heart with reverence due to such a prince,
I offer myself unto your lordship, and beseech you, that in reward of this
my true good will, you will vouchsafe to make use of mine own person, my
Country, and subjects."
The Governor answered him, that his offers and good-will declared by
the effect, did highly please him, whereof he would always be mindful to
honor and favor him as his brother. This country, from the first
peaceable cacique, unto the province of Patofa, which were fifty leagues,
is a fat country, beautiful, and very fruitful, and very well watered, and
full of good rivers. And from thence to the Port de Spirit Santo, where
we first arrived in the land of Florida (which may be three hundred and
fifty leagues, little more or less), is a barren land, and the most of it
groves of wild pine trees, low and full of lakes, and in some places very
high and thick groves, whither the Indians that were in arms 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 conveyed away; and of the troubles which they had in seeking of
Indians to be their guides.
In the town of Patofa the youth which the Governor carried with him
for an interpreter and a guide, began to foam at the mouth, and tumble on
the ground, as one possessed with the devil: they said a gospel over him,
and the fit left him. And he said, that four days' journey from thence
toward the sun rising, was the province that he
spoke of. The Indians of Patofa said, that toward that part they knew no
habitation; but that toward the north- west, they knew a province which
was called Coça, a very plentiful country, which had very great towns in
it. The cacique told the Governor that if he would go thither, he would
give him guides and Indians for burdens; and if he would go whither the
youth spake of, that he would likewise give him those that he needed; and
so with loving words and offers of courtesy, they took their leaves the
one of the other. He gave him seven hundred Indians to bear burdens. He
took maize for four days' journey. He traveled six days 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 crossbow shots over; the water came to the stirrups, and had so
great a current, that it was needful for the horseman to stand one before
another, that the footmen might pass above them, leaning unto them. He
came to another river of a great current and largeness, which was passed
with more trouble, because the horses did swim at the coming out, about a
lance's length. Having passed this river, the Governor came to a grove of
pine trees, and threatened the youth, and made as though he would have
cast him to the dogs, because he had told him a lie, saying, it was but
four days' journey, and they had traveled nine, and every day seven or
eight leagues, and the men by this time were grown weary and weak, and the
horses lean through the great scanting of the maize. The youth said that
he knew not where he was. It saved him that he was not cast to the dogs,
that there was never another whom John Ortiz did understand. The
Governor, with them two, and with some horsemen and footmen, leaving the
camp in a grove of pine trees, traveled that day five or six leagues to
seek a way, and returned at night very comfortless, and without finding
any sign of way or town. The next day there were sundry opinions
delivered, whether they should go back, or what they should do; and
because backward the country whereby they had passed was greatly spoiled,
and destitute of maize, and that which they brought with them was spent,
and the men were very weak, and the horses likewise, they doubted much
whether they might come to any place where they might help 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 war, they could not escape. The Governor determined to send
horsemen from thence every way to seek habitation; and the next day he
sent four captains, every one a sundry way with eight horsemen. At night
they came again, leading
their horses, or driving them with a stick before; for they were weary,
that they could not lead them, neither found they any way or sign of
habitation. The next day the Governor sent other four with as many
horsemen that could swim, to pass the swamps and rivers which they should
find, and they had choice horses, the best that were in the camp. The
captains were Baltasar de Gallegos, which went up the river; and John
Danusco down the river; Alfonso Roma and John Rodriquez Lobillo went into
the inward parts of the land. The Governor brought with him into Florida
thirteen sows, and had by this time three hundred swine. He commanded
every man should have half a pound of hog's flesh every day, and this he
did three or four days after the maize was all spent. With this small
quantity of flesh, and some sodden herbs, with much trouble the people
were sustained. The Governor dismissed the Indians of Patofa, because he
had no food to give them; who desiring to aceompany and serve the
Christians in their neeessity, making show that it grieved them very much
to return until they had left them in a peopled country, returned to their
own home. John Danusco came on Sunday late in the evening, and brought
news that he had found a little town twelve or thirteen leagues from
thence: he brought a woman and a boy that he took there. With his coming
and with those news, the Governor and all the rest were so glad that they
seemed at that instant to have returned from death to life. Upon Monday,
the twenty-sixth of April, the Governor departed to go to the town, which
was called Aymay; and the Christians named it the town of Relief.
He left
where the camp had lain at the foot of a pine free, a letter buried, and
letters carved in the bark of the pine, the contents whereof was this:
Dig here at the foot of this pine, and you shall find a letter. And this
he did, because when the captains came, which were sent to seek some
habitation, they might see the letter, and know what was become of the
Governor, and which way he was gone. There was no other way to the town,
but the marks that John Danusco left made upon the trees. The Governor,
with some of them that had the best horses, came to it on the Monday; and
all the rest inforcing themselves the best way they could, some of them
lodged within two leagues of the town, some within three and four, every
one as he was able to go, and his strength served him. There was found in
the town a store-house full of the flour of parched maize; and some maize,
which was distributed by allowance. Here were four Indians taken, and
none of them would confess any other thing, but that they knew of none
other habitation. The Governor commanded one of them to be burned; and
presently
another confessed that two days' journey from thence, there was a province
that was called Cutifachiqui. Upon Wednesday came the captains Baltasar
de Gallegos, Alfonso Romo, and John Rodriquez Lobillo, for they had found
the letter, and followed the way which the Governor had taken toward the
town. Two men of John Rodriquez's company were lost, because their horses
tired; the Governor checked him very sore for leaving them behind, and
sent to seek them; and as soon as they came he departed toward
Cutifachiqui. In the way three Indians were taken, which said that the
lady of that country had notice already of the Christians, and stayed for
them in a town of hers. The Governor sent by one of them to offer her his
friendship, and to advertise her how he was coming thither. The Governor
came unto the town, and presently there came four canoes to him; in one of
them came a sister of the lady, and approaching to the Governor she said
these words:
"Excellent lord, my sister sendeth unto you by me to kiss your
lordship's hands, and to signify unto you that the cause why she came not
in person, is, that she thinketh to do you greater service staying behind,
as she doth, giving order that with all speed all her canoes be ready,
that your lordship may pass the river, and take your rest, which shall
presently be performed."
The Governor gave her thanks, and she returned to the other side of
the river. Within a little while the lady (Cutifachiqui) came out of the
town in a chair, whereon certain of the principal Indians brought her to
the river. She entered into a barge which had the stern tilted over, and
on the floor her mat ready laid with two cushions upon it one upon
another, where she sat her down; and with her came her principal Indians
in other barges, which did wait upon her. She went to the place where the
Governor was, and at her coming she made this speech following:
"Excellent lord, I wish this coming of your lordship into these your
countries to be most happy; although my power be not answer-able to my
will, 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 than all the treasures of the world, that without it are offered
with most nnfailable 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
country, which she brought in other canoes, to wit, mantles and skins; and
took from her own neck a great cordon of pearls, and cast it about the
neck of the Governor, entertaining him with very gracious
speeches of love and courtesy, and commanded canoes to be brought thither,
wherein the Governor and his people passed the river. As soon as he was
lodged in the town, she (Cutifachiqui) sent him another present of many
hens. This country was very pleasant, fat, and hath goodly meadows by the
rivers. Their woods are thin, and full of walnut trees and mulberry
trees. They said the sea was two days' journey from thence. Within a
league and half a league about this town were great towns dispeopled, and
overgrown with grass; which showed that they had been long without
inhabitants. The Indians said that two years before there was a plague in
that country, and that they removed to other towns. There was in their
storehouses great quantity of clothes, mantles of yarn made of the barks
of trees, and others made of feathers, white, green, red, and yellow, very
fine after their use, and profitable for winter. There were also many
deer's skins, with many compartments traced in them, and some of them made
into hose, stockings, and shoes. And the lady perceiving that the
Christians esteemed the pearls, advised the Governor to send to search
certain graves that were in that town, and that he should find many; and
that if he would send to the dispeopled towns he might load all his
horses. They sought the graves of that town, and there found fourteen
rows of pearls (three hundred and ninety-two pounds), and little babies
and birds made of them. The people were brown, well made, and well
proportioned, and more civil than any others that were seen in all the
country of Florida, and all of them went shod and clothed. The youth told
the Governor that he began now to enter into the land which he spoke of;
and some credit was given hint that it was so, because he understood the
language of the Indians; and he requested that he might be christened, for
he said he desired to become a Christian. He was christened, and named
Peter; and the Governor commanded him to be loosed from a chain, in which
until that time he had gone. This country, as the Indians reported, had
been much inhabited, and had the fame of a good country. And as it
seemeth, the youth, which was the Governor's guide, had heard of it, and
that which he knew by hearsay, he affirmed that he had seen, and augmented
at his pleasure. In this town was found a dagger, and beads that belonged
to Christians. The Indians reported that Christians had been in the haven
(St. Helena), which was two days' journey from this town, many years ago.
He that came thither was the Governor, the Licentiate Lucas Vasquez de
Ayllon, which went to conquer this country, and at his coming to the port
he died (1525);
and there was a division, quarrels and slaughters between some principal
men which went with him, for the principal government. And without
knowing anything of the country, they returned home to Hispaniola. All
the company thought it good to inhabit that country, because it was in a
temperate climate
(32° 30').
And that if it were inhabited, all the ships of New Spain, of Peru,
Santa Martha, and Terra Firma, in their return for
Spain might well touch there, because it was in their way, and because it
was a good country, and sited fit to raise commodity. The Governor, since
his intent was to seek another treasure, like that of Atabalipa, Lord of
Peru, was not contented with a good country, nor with pearls, though many
of them were worth their weight in gold. And if the country had been
divided among the Christians, those which the Indians had fished for
afterwards would have been of more value; for those which they had,
because they burned them in the fire, did lessen their color. The
Governor answered them that urged him to inhabit, that in all the country
there were not victuals to sustain his men one month; and that it was
needful to resort to the Port of Ocus, where Maldonado was to stay for
them: and that if no richer country were found, they might return again
to that whensoever they would; and in the meantime the Indians would sow
their fields, and it would be better furnished with maize. He inquired of
the Indians whether they had notice of any great lord farther into the
land. They told him that twelve days' journey
from thence
there was a
province called Chiaha, subject to the Lord of Coça. Presently the
Governor determined to seek that land. And being a stern man, and of few
words, though he was glad to sift and know the opinion of all men, yet
after he had delivered his own, he would not be contraried, and always did
what liked himself, and so all men did condescend unto his will. And
though it seemed an error to leave that country (for others might have
been sought round about, where the people might have been sustained until
the harvest had been ready there, and the maize gathered), yet there was
none that would say anything against him, after they knew his resolution.
The Governor departed from Cutifachiqui the third day of May. And
because the Indians had revolted, and the will of the lady was perceived,
that if she could, she would depart without giving any guides or men for
burden, 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 gain do put themselves and others in danger
of undoing), the Governor commanded her to be kept in safeguard, and
carried with him, not with so good usage as she deserved for the good-will
she showed, and good entertainment that she had made him. And he verified
that old proverb which saith: "For well-doing I receive evil." And so he
carried her on foot with his bondwomen to look unto her. In all the towns
where the Governor passed, the lady commanded the Indians to come and
carry the burdens from one town to another. We passed through her country
an hundred leagues, in which, as we saw, she was much obeyed, for the
Indians did all that she commanded them with great efficacy and diligence.
Peter, the youth that was our guide, said that she was not the lady
herself, but a niece of hers, which came to that town to execute certain
principal men by commandment of the lady, which had withheld her tribute;
which words were not believed, 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 days' space the
Governor came to a province called Chalaque, the poorest country of maize
that was seen in Florida. The Indians feed upon roots and herbs, which
they seek in the fields, and upon wild beasts, which they kill with their
bows and arrows, and are a very gentle people. All of them go naked, and
arc very lean. There was a Lord (Cutifachiqui), which for a great
present, brought the Governor two deer skins; and there were in that
country many wild hens. In one town they made him a present of seven
hundred hens, and so in other towns they sent him those which they had or
could get. From this province to another, which is called Xualla, he
spent five days. Here he found very little maize, and for this cause,
though the people were wearied, and the horses very weak, he staid no more
but two days. From Ocute to Cutifachiqui, may be some hundred and thirty
leagues, whereof eighty are wilderness. From Cutifachiqui to Xualla two
hundred and fifty, and it is a hilly country. The Governor departed from
Xualla towards Guaxule passed very rough and high hills. In that journey,
the lady of Cutifachiqui (whom the Governor carried with him, as is
aforesaid, with purpose to carry her to Guaxule, because her territory
reached thither), going on a day with the bondwomen which led her, went
out of the way, and entered into a wood, saying she went to ease herself,
and so she deceived them, and hid herself 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
pearls. Some which could judge of them, said that they were of great
value. An Indian woman that waltzed on her did carry them. The Governor,
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 return;
which coffer she carried away and went to Xualla with three slaves which
fled from the camp, and one horseman which remained behind, who, falling
sick of an ague, went out of the way and was lost. This man, whose name
was Alimamos, dealt with the slaves to change their evil purpose, and
return with him to the Christians, which two of them did; and Alimamos and
they overtook the Governor fifty leagues from thence in a province called
Chiaha; and reported how the lady remained in Xualla with a slave of
Andrew de Vasconcellos, which would not come back with them; and that of a
certainty they lived as man and wife together, and meant to go both to
Cutifachiqui. Within five days the Governor came to Guaxule. The Indians
there gave him a present of three hundred dogs, because they saw the
Christians esteem them, and sought them to feed on them; for among them
they are not eaten In Guaxule, and all that way, was very little maize.
The Governor sent from thence an Indian with a message to the cacique of
Chiaha, to desire him to gather some maize thither, that he might rest a
few days in Chiaha. The Governor departed from Guaxule, and in two days'
journey came to a town called Canasagua. There met him on the way twenty
Indians, every one loaded with a basketful of mulberries; for there be
many, and those very good, from Cutifachiqui, and so forward in other
provinces, and also nuts and plums. And the trees grow in the fields
without planting or dressing them, and as big and as rank as though they
grew in gardens digged and watered. From the time that the Governor
departed from Canasagua, he journeyed five days through a desert; and two
leagues before he came to Chiaha, there met him fifteen Indians loaded
with maize, which the cacique had sent; and they told him on his behalf,
that he walted his coming with twenty barns full of it; and further, that
himself, his country, and subjects, and all things else were at his
service. On the fifth day of June, the Governor entered into Chiaha. The
cacique voided his own houses, in which he lodged, and received him with
much joy, saying these words following: —
"Mighty and excellent lord, I hold myself for so happy 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
maize for you in this town for two months. Here I have for you twenty
barns full of the choicest that in all the country could be found. If
your lordship be not entertained by me in such sort as is fit for so high
a prince, respect my tender age, which excuseth me from blame, and receive
my good-will, which with much loyalty, truth and sincerity, I will always
show in anything which shall concern your lordship's service."
The Governor answered him that he thanked him very much for his
service and offer, and that he would always account him as his brother.
There was in this town much butter in gourds melted like oil — they said it
was the fat of bears. There was found, also, great store of oil of
walnuts, which was clear as butter, and of a good taste, and a pet full of
honey of bees, which neither before nor afterward was seen in all the
country. The town was an island between two arms of a river, and was
seated nigh one of them. The river divideth itself into those two
branches, two crossbow shots above the town, and meeteth again a league
beneath the same. The plain between both the branches is sometimes one
crossbow shot, sometimes two crossbow shots over. The branches are very
broad, and both of them may be waded over. There were along them very
good meadows, and many fields sown with maize. And because the Indians
staid in their town, the Governor only lodged in the houses of the
cacique, and his people in the fields; where there was ever a tree every
one took one for himself. Thus the camp lay separated one from another,
and out of order. The Governor winked at it, because the Indians were in
peace, and because it was very hot, and the people should have suffered
great extremity if it had not been so. The horses came thither so weak,
that for feebleness they were not able to carry their masters; because
that from Cutifachiqui, they always traveled with very little provender,
and were hunger- starved and tired ever since they came from the desert of
Ocute. And because the most of them were not in case to use in battle,
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 evil case to have defended themselves. The Governor rested there
thirty days, in which time, because the country was very fruitful, the
horses grew fat. At the time of his departure, by the importunity of
some, which would have more than was reason, he demanded of the cacique
thirty women to make slaves of. He answered that he would confer with his
chief men. And before he returned an answer, one night all of them with
their wives and children forsook the town, and fled away. The next day,
the Governor proposing to go to seek them, the cacique came unto him, and
at his coming used these words unto the Governor: —
"Mighty lord, with shame and fear of your lordship, because my
subjects against my will have done amiss in absenting themselves, I went
my way without your license; and knowing the error which I have committed,
like a loyal subject, I come to yield myself into your power, to dispose
of me at your own pleasure. For my subjects do not obey me, nor do
anything but what an uncle of mine commandeth, which governeth this
country for me, until 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 perform any more."
Presently, the Governor with thirty horsemen, and as many footmen,
went to seek the Indians, and passing by some towns of the principal
Indians which had absented themselves, he cut and destroyed great fields
of maize; 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 return to their town and fear nothing, and that they should give
his men to carry burdens, as all 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 Governor to excuse themselves; and
so all of them returned to their town. A cacique of a province called
Coste, came to this town to visit the Governor. After he had offered
himself, and passed with him some words of tendering his service and
courtesy, the Governor asking him whether he had notice of any rich
country? 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 color, save that it was finer, and of a far more perfect
color, and far better to the sight; and that they used it not so much,
because it was softer. And the self same thing was told the Governor in
Cutifachiqui, where we saw some little hatchets of copper, which were said
to have a mixture of gold. But in that part
the country was not well peopled, and they said there were mountains,
which the horses could not pass: and for that cause, the Governor would
not go from Cutifachiqui directly thither: and he made account, that
traveling through a peopled country, when his men and horses should be in
better plight, and he were better certified of the truth of the thing, he
would return toward it, by mountains, and a better inhabited country,
whereby he might have better passage. He sent two Christians from Chiaha
with certain Indians which knew the country 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 tarry for them.
When the Governor was determined to depart from Chiaha to Coste, he
sent for the cacique to come before him, and with gentle words took his
leave of him, and gave him certain things, wherewith he rested much
contented. In seven days he came to Coste. The second of July he
commanded his camp to be pitched two crossbow shots 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 he was talking with him,
there went from the camp certain footmen to the town to seek some maize,
and not contented with its they ran-sacked and searched the houses, and
took what they found. With this despite, the Indians began to rise and to
take their arms: and some of them, with cudgels in their hands, ran upon
five or six Christians, which had done them wrong, and beat them at their
pleasure. The Governor seeing them all in an uproar, and himself among
them with so few Christians, to escape their hands used a stratagem, far
against his own disposition, being, as he was, very frank 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 took up a cudgel,
and took their parts against his own men; which was a means to quiet them.
And presently he sent word by a man very secretly to the camp, that some
armed men should come toward the place where he was; and he took the
cacique by the hand, using very mild words unto him, and with some
principal Indians that did accompany him, he drew them out of the town
into a plain way, and unto the sight of the camp, whither by little and
little with good discretion the Christians began to come and to gather
about them. Thus the Governor led the cacique and his chief men until he
entered with them into the camp: and near unto his tent he commanded them
to be put in safe custody; and told them that they should not depart
without giving him a guide and Indians for burdens, and till certain sick
Christians were come, which he had commanded to come down 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
slain the one, and the other.) Within three days after, those which were
sent to Chisca returned, and made report that the Indians had carried them
through a country so poor of maize, and so rough, and over so high
mountains, that it was impossible for the army to travel that way; and
that seeing the way grew very long, and that they lingered much, they
consulted to return from a little poor town, where they saw nothing that
was of any profit, and brought an ox hide, which the Indians gave them, as
thin as a calf's skin, and the hair like a soft wool, between the coarse
and fine wool of sheep. The cacique gave a guide, and men for burdens,
and departed with the Governor's leave. The Governor departed from Coste
the ninth of July, and lodged at a town called Tali. The cacique came
forth to receive him on the way, and made this speech: —
"Excellent lord and prince, worthy to be served and obeyed of all the
princes in the world; howsoever for the most part by the outward
physiognomy the inward virtue may be judged, and that who you are, and of
what strength, was known unto me before now: I will not infer hereupon how
mean I am in your presence, to hope that my poor services will be grateful
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 only to respect the same, and consider
wherein you will command my service in this your country."
The Governor 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 he would always entreat, favor, and esteem him as if he
were his own brother. The cacique commanded provision necessary for two
days, while the Governor was there, to be brought thither: and at the
time of his departure, he gave him four women and two men, which he had
need of to bear burdens. The Governor traveled six days through many
towns subject to the cacique of Coça: and as he entered into his country
many Indians came unto him every day from the cacique, and met him on the
way with messages, one going, and another coming. He came to Coça upon
Friday, the 26th of July. The cacique came forth to receive him two
crossbow shots from the town in a chair, which his principal men carried
on their shoulders,
sitting upon a cushion, and covered with a garment of marterns, of the
fashion and bigness of a woman's huke: he had on his head a diadem of
feathers, and round about him many Indians playing upon flutes, and
singing. As soon as he came unto the Governor, he did his obeyance, and
uttered these words following: —
"Excellent and mighty lord, above all them of the earth, although I
come but now to receive you, yet I have received you many days ago 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 show 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 certain, that to obtain 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 felicity. Do not look for me to offer you that which is your
own, to wit, my person, my lands, and subjects; only I will busy myself in
commanding my men with all diligence and due reverence to welcome you from
hence to the town with playing and singing, where your lordship shall be
lodged and attended upon by myself and them; and all that I possess your
lordship shall use as it were your own. For your lordship shall do me a
very great favor in so doing."
The Governor gave him thanks, and with great joy they both went
conferring together till they came to the town; and he commanded his
Indians to void their houses, wherein the Governor and his men were
lodged. There was in the barns and in the fields great store of maize and
French beans. The country was greatly inhabited with many great towns,
and many sown 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, as well of such as grow in Spain as of the country; and
wild tall vines, that run 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 Governor 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 towns, and they gave him guides,
and men to carry burdens; and before he went out of their countries, he
gave them license to return to their houses, and to their porters
likewise, as soon as he came to any other lordship where they gave him
others. The men of Coça seeing their lord detained, took it in evil
part, and revolted, and hid themselves in the woods, as well those of the
town of the cacique, as those of the other towns of his principal
subjects. The Governor sent out four captains, every one his way, to seek
them. They took many men and women, which were put into chains. They
seeing the hurt which they received, and how little they gained in
absenting themselves, came again, promising to do whatsoever they were
commanded. Of those which were taken prisoners, some principal men were
set at liberty, whom the cacique demanded; and every one that had any,
carried the rest in chains like slaves, without letting them go to their
country. Neither did any return, but some few, whose fortune helped them
with the good diligence which they used to file off their chains by night,
or such as in their traveling could slip aside out of the way, seeing any
negligence in them that kept them; some escaped away with the chains, and
with the burdens and clothes which they carried.
The Governor rested in Coça twenty-five days. He departed from
thence the twentieth of August, to seek a province called Tascaluca; he
carried with him the cacique of Coça. He passed that day by a great town
called Tallimuchase; the people were fled; he lodged half a league
further, near a brook. The next day he came to a town called Ytaua,
subject to Coça. He staid there six days, because of a river that
passed by it, which at that time was very high; and as soon as the river
suffered him to pass, he set forward, and lodged at a town named
Ullibahali. There came to him on the way, of the caciques in behalf of
that province, ten or twelve principal Indians to offer him their service;
all of them had their plumes of feathers, and bows and arrows. The
Governor coming to the town with twelve horsemen, and some footmen of his
guard, leaving his people a crossbow shot from the town, entered into it;
he found all the Indians with their weapons, and as far as he could guess,
they seemed to have some evil meaning. It was known afterwards that they
were determined to take the cacique of Coça from the Governor, if he had
requested it. The Governor commanded all his people to enter the town,
which was walled about, and near unto it passed a small river. The wall,
as well of that as of others, which afterwards we saw, was of great posts
thrust deep into the ground, and very rough; and many long rails, as big
as one's arm, laid across between them, and the wall was about the height
of a lance, and it was daubed within and without with clay, and had
loopholes. On the other side of the river was a town, where at that
present the cacique was. The Governor sent to call him,
and he came presently. After he had passed with the Governor some words
of offering his services, he gave him such men for his carriages as he
needed, and thirty women for slaves. In that place was a Christian lost,
called Mançano, born in Salamanca, of noble parentage, which went astray
to seek for grapes, whereof there is great store, and those very good. The
day that the Governor departed from thence, he lodged at a town, subject
to the lord of Ullibahali; and the next day he came to another town called
Toasi. The Indians gave the Governor thirty women, and such men for his
carriages as he needed. He traveled ordinarily five or six leagues a day,
when he traveled through peopled countries; and going through deserts, he
marched as fast as he could, to eschew the want of maize. From Toasi,
passing through some towns subject to a cacique, which was lord of a
province called Tallise, he traveled five days. He came to Tallise the
18th of September. The town was great, and situated near unto a main
river. On the other side of the river were other towns, and many fields
sown with maize. On both sides it was a very plentiful country, and had
store of maize; they had voided the town. The Governor commanded to call
the cacique; who came, and between them passed some words of love and
offer of his services, and he presented unto him forty Indians. There
came to the Governor in this town, a principal Indian in the behalf of the
cacique of Tascaluca, and made this speech following: —
"Mighty, virtuous, and esteemed lord, the great cacique of Tascaluca,
my lord, sendeth by me to kiss your lordship's hands, and to let you
understand that he hath notice how you justly ravish with your perfeetions
and power, all men on the earth; and that every one by whom your lordship
passeth, doth serve and obey you, which he acknowledgeth to be due unto
you, and desireth, as his life, to see and to serve your lordship. For
which cause by me he offereth himself, his lands and subjects, that when
your lordship pleaseth to go through his country, 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 do him the favor to let him know when
you will come; for how much the sooner, so much the greater favor he shall
receive."
The Governor received and dispatched him graciously, giving him
beads, which among them were not much esteemed, and some other things to
carry to his lord. And he gave license to the Cacique of Coça to return
home to his own country. The Cacique of Tallise gave him such men for
burdens as he needed. And after he had
rested there twenty days, he departed thence towards Tascaluca. That day
when he went from Tallise, he lodged at a great town called Casiste. And
the next day passed by another, and came to a small town of Tascaluca; and
the next day he camped in a wood, two leagues from the town where the
cacique resided, and was at that time. And he sent the master of the
camp, Luys de Moscoso, with fifteen horsemen, to let him know he was
coming. The cacique was in his lodgings under a canopy; and without
doors, right against his lodgings, in a high place, they spread a mat for
him, and two cushions one upon another, where he sat him down, and his
Indians placed themselves round about him, somewhat distant from him, so
that they made a place, and a void room where he sat; and his chiefest men
were nearest to him, and one with a shadow of deer skin, which kept the
sun from him, being round and of the bigness of a target, quartered with
black and white, having a rundle in the midst; afar off it seemed to be of
taffeta, because the colors were very perfect. It was set on a small
staff stretched wide out. This was the device which he carried in his
wars. He was a man of a very tall stature, of great limbs, and spare, and
well proportioned, and was much feared of his neighbors and subjects. He
was lord of many territories and much people. In his countenance he was
very grave. After the master of the camp had spoken with him, he and
those that went with him coursed their horses, prancing them to and fro,
and now and then towards the place where the cacique was, who, with much
gravity and dissimulation now and then lifted up his eyes, and beheld
them, as it were, with disdain. At the Governor's coming, he made no
offer at all to rise. The Governor took him by the hand, and both of them
sat down together on a seat which was under the cloth of state. The
cacique said these words unto him: —
"Mighty lord, I bid your lordship right heartily welcome. I receive
as much pleasure and contentment with your sight, as if you were my
brother, whom I dearly loved; upon this point it is not needful to use
many reasons; since it is no discretion to speak that in many words, which
in few may be uttered. How much the greater the will is, so much more
giveth it name to the works, and the works give testimony of the truth.
Now touching my will, by it you shall know how certain and manifest it is,
and how pure inclination I have to serve you. Concerning the favor which
you did me, in the things which you sent me, I make as much account of
them as is reason to esteem them, and chiefly because they were yours.
Now see what service you will command me."
The Governor satisfied him with sweet words and with great brevity.
When he departed from thence he determined to carry him along with him for
some cause, and at two days' journey he came to a town called Piache, by
which there passed a great river. The Governor demanded canoes of the
Indians; they said they had them not, but that they would make rafts of
canes and dry timber, on which he naight well enough. And they made them
with all diligence and speed, and they governed them; and because the
water went very slow, the Governor and his people passed very well.
From the Port de Spirito Santo to Apalache, which is about an hundred
leagues, the Governor went from east to west; and from Apalache to
Cutifachiqui, which are four hundred and thirty leagues from the
south-west to the northeast; and from Cutifachiqui 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 fifty leagues more, an
hundred and ninety of them he traveled from east to west, to wit, to the
province of Coça, and the other sixty from Coça to Tascaluca from the
north to the south.
Having passed the river of Piache, a Christian went from his company
from thence to seek a woman slave that was run away from him, and the
Indians either took him captive, or slew him. The Governor urged the
cacique that he should give account of him, and threatened him that if he
were not found he would never let him loose. The cacique sent an Indian
from thence to Mavilla, whither they were traveling, which was a town of a
principal Indian and his subject, saying that he sent him to advise them
to make ready victuals, and men for carriages. But (as afterwards
appeared) he sent him to assemble all the men of war thither that he had
in his country. The Governor traveled three days, and the third day he
passed all day through a peopled country, and he came to Mavilla upon
Monday the 18th of October, 1540. He went before the camp with fifteen
horsemen and thirty footmen. And from the town came a Christian, whom he
had sent to the principal man, three or four days before, because he
should not absent himself, and also to learn in what sort the Indians
were; who told him that he thought they were in an evil purpose; for while
he was there, there came many people into the town, and many weapons, and
that they made great haste to fortify the walls. Luys de Moscoso told the
Governor that it would be good to lodge in the field, seeing the Indians
were of such disposition; and he answered, that he would lodge in the
town, for he was weary of
lodging in the field. When he came near unto the town, the cacique came
forth to receive him with many Indians playing upon flutes and singing.
And after he had offered himself, he presented him with three mantles of
marterns. The Governor, with both the caciques, and seven or eight men of
his guard, and three or four horsemen, which alighted to accompany him,
entered into the town, and sat him down under a cloth of state. The
cacique of Tascaluca requested him that he would let him remain in that
town, and trouble him no more with traveling. And seeing he would not
give him leave, in his talk he changed his purpose, and dissemblingly
feigned that he would speak with some principal Indians, and rose up from
the place where he sat with the Governor, and entered into a house, where
many Indians were with their bows and arrows. The Governor when he saw he
returned not, called him, and he answered that he would not come out from
thence, neither would he go any farther than that town, and that if he
would go his way in peace, he should presently depart, and should not seek
to carry him perforce out of his country and territory.
The Governor seeing the determination and furious answer of the
cacique, went about to pacify him with fair words; to which he gave no
answer, but rather with much pride and disdain, withdrew himself where the
Governor might not see him nor speak with him. As a principal Indian
passed that way, the Governor called him, to send him word that he might
remain at his pleasure in his country, and that it would please him to
give him a guide, and men for carriages, to see if he could pacify him
with mild words. The Indians answered with great pride, that he would not
hearken unto him. Baltasar de Gallegos, which stood by, took hold of a
gown of marterns which he had on, and he cast it over his head, and left
it in his hands: and because all of them immediately began to stir,
Baltasar de Gallegos gave him such a wound with his cutlass, that he
opened him down the back, and presently all the Indians with a great cry
came out of the houses shooting their arrows. The Governor considering
that if he tarried there, he could not escape, and if he commanded his men
to come in, which were without the town, the Indians within the houses
might kill their horses, and do much hurt, ran out of the town, and before
he came out, he fell twice or thrice, and those that were with him did
help him up again; and he and those that were with him were sore wounded;
and in a moment there were five Christians slain in the town. The
Governor came
running out of the town, 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 than
an ordinary pace, shot with great boldness at them, and struck down such
as they could overtake. The Indians which the Christians did lead with
them in chains, had laid down their burdens near unto the walls; and as
soon as the Governor and his men were retired, the men of Mavilla laid
them on the Indians'backs again, and took them into the town, and loosed
them presently from their chains, and gave them bows and arrows to fight
withal. Thus they possessed themselves of all the clothes and pearls, and
all that the Christians had, which their slaves carried. And because the
Indians had been always peaceable until we came to this place, some of our
men had their weapons in their fardels, and remained unarmed. And from
others that had entered the town with the Governor they had taken swords
and halberds, and fought with them. When the Governor was gotten into the
field, he called for a horse, and with some that accompanied him, he
returned and slew two or three Indians. All the rest retired themselves to
the town, and shot with their bows from the wall. And those which
presumed of their nimbleness, sallied forth to fight a stone's cast from
the wall. And when the Christians charged them, they retired themselves
at their leisure into the ton. At the time that the broil began, there
were in the town a friar and a priest, and a servant of the Governor, with
a woman slave; and they had no time to come out of the town, and they took
a house, and so remained in the ton. The Indians being become masters of
the place, they shut the door with a field gate; and among them was one
sword which the Governor's servant had, and with it he set himself behind
the door, thrusting at the Indians which sought to come into them; and the
friar and the priest stood on the other side, each of them with a bar in
their hands to beat him down that first came in. The Indians seeing they
could not get in by the door, began to uncover the house top. By this
time all the horsemen and footmen which were behind, were come to Mavilla.
Here there were sundry opinions, whether they should charge the Indians to
enter the town, or whether they should leave it, because it was hard to
enter; and in the end it was resolved to set upon them.
As soon as the battle and the rereward were come to Mavilla, the
Governor commanded all those that were best armed to alight, and made four
squadrons of footmen. The Indians, seeing how he was
setting his men in order, concluded with the cacique, that he should go
his way, saying unto him, as after it was known by certain 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 principal Indians, very valiant and
expert in feats of arms, that any one of them was able to order the people
there; and forasmuch as matters of war were subject to casualty, and it
was uncertain which part should overcome, they wished him to save himself,
to the end, that if it fell out that they should end their days there, as
they determined rather than to be overcome, there might remain one to
govern the country. For all this he would not have gone away; but they
urged him so much, that with fifteen or twenty Indians of his own, he went
out of the ton, and carried away a scarlet cloak, and other things of the
Christians' goods, as much as he was able to carry, and seemed best unto
him. The Governor was informed how there went men out of the town, and he
commanded the horsemen to beset it, and sent in every squadron of footmen
one soldier with a firebrand to set fire on the houses, that the Indians
might have no defence; all his men being set in order, he commanded an
arquebuss to be shot off. The sign being given, the four squadrons, every
one by itself with great fury, gave the onset, and with great hurt on both
sides they entered the town. The friar 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 succor them. The Indians
fought with such courage, that many times they drove our men out of the
town. The fight lasted so long, that for weariness and great thirst many
of the Christians went to a pool that was near the wall, to drink, which
was all stained with the blood of the dead, and then came again to fight.
The Governor seeing this, entered among the footmen into the town on
horseback, with certain that accompanied them, and was a mean that the
Christians came to set fire on the houses, and broke and overcame the
Indians, who running out of the town from the footmen, the horse-men
without drove in at the gates again, where being without all hope of life,
they fought valiantly, and after the Christians came among them to handy
blows, seeing themselves in great distress, without any succor, 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 town, were two thousand and five hundred, little more or
less. Of the Christians there died eighteen; of which one was Don Carlos,
brother-in-law to the Governor,
and a nephew of his, and one John de Gamez, and Men Rodriquez, Portuguese,
and John Vasquez de Villanova de Barca Rota, all men of honor, and of much
valor; the rest were footmen. Besides those that were slain, there were a
hundred and fifty wounded, with seven hundred wounds of their arrows: and
it pleased God that of very dangerous wounds they were quickly healed.
Moreover there were twelve horses slain, and seventy hurt. All the
clothes which the Christians carried with them to clothe themselves
withal, and the ornaments to say mass, and the pearls, 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 do them
from those houses, where they had gathered all those goods together, than
the loss of them. Here the Governor understood that Francisco Maldonado
waited for him at the Port of Ochuse, and that it was six days' journey
from thence (Mavilla), and he dealt with John Ortiz to keep it secret,
because he had not accomplished that which he determined to do; and
because the pearls were burnt there, which he meant to have sent to Cuba
for a show, that the people hearing the news, might be desirous to come to
that country. He feared also, that if they should have news of him without
seeing from Florida neither gold nor silver, nor anything of value, it
would get such a name, that no man would seek to go thither, when he
should have need of people. And so he determined to send no news of
himself until he had found some rich country.
From the time that the Governor entered into Florida, until his
departure from Mavilla, there died a hundred and two Christians, some of
sickness, and others which the Indians slew. He stayed in Mavilla,
because of the wounded men, eight and twenty days; all which time he lay
in the field. It was a well inhabited and a fat country, there were some
great and walled towns, and many horses scattered all about the fields, to
wit, a crossbow shot or two, the one from the other. Upon Sunday, the
eighteenth of November (1540), when the hurt men were known to be healed,
the Governor departed from Mavilla. Every one furnished himself with
maize for two days, and they traveled five days through a desert: they
came to a province called Pafallaya, unto a town named Taliepatava: and
from thence they went to another, called Cabusto: near unto it ran a great
river. The Indians on the other side cried out, threatening the Christians
to kill them, if they sought to pass it. The Governor commanded his men
to make a barge within the town, because the Indians should not
perceive it: it was finished in four days, and being ended, he commanded
it to be carried one night upon sleds half a league up the river. In the
morning there entered into it thirteen men well armed. The Indians
perceived what was attempted, and those which were nearest, came to defend
the passage. They resisted what they could, till the Christians came near
them; and seeing that the barge came to the shore, they fled away into the
groves of canes. The Christians mounted on horseback, and went up the
river to make good the passage, whereby the Governor and his company
passed the river. There were along the river some towns well stored with
maize and French beans. From thence to Chicaça the Governor traveled five
days through a desert. He came to a river, where on the other side were
Indians to defend the passage. He made another barge in two days; and
when it was finished, the Governor sent an Indian to request the cacique
to accept of his friendship, and peaceably to expect his coming: 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 17th of December, the Governor came to Chicaça, a
small town of twenty 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 country was very well peopled, and the houses
scattered like those of Mavilla, fat and plentiful of maize, and the most
part of it was fielding: they gathered as much as sufficed to pass the
winter. Some Indians were taken, among which was one whom the cacique
esteemed greatly. The Governor sent an Indian to signify to the cacique
that he desired to see him and to have his friendship. The cacique came
unto him, to offer him his person, country and subjects, and told him that
he would cause two other caciques to come to him in peace; who within a
few days after came with him and with their Indians. The one was called
Alimamu, the other Nicalasa. They gave a present unto the Governor of a
hundred and fifty coneys, and of the country garments, to wit, of mantles
and skins. The Cacique of Chicaça came to visit him many times; and
sometimes the Governor sent to call him, and sent him a horse to go and
come. He complained unto him that a subject of his was risen against him
and deprived him of his tribute, requesting his aid against him, for he
meant to seek him iu his country, and to punish him according to his
desert. Which was nothing else but a feigned plot. For they determined,
as soon as the Governor was gone with him, and the camp was divided into
two parts, the one part of them to set upon the Governor and the other
upon them that remained in Chicaça. He went to the town where he used to
keep his residence, and brought with him two hundred Indians with their
bows and arrows. The Governor took thirty horsemen and eighty footmen,
and they went to Saquechuma (for so was the province called of that chief
man, which he said had rebelled). They found a walled town, 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 heedfulness,
that was as well in the Governor's people which he carried with him, as of
those which remained in Chicaça, they dare not assault them at that time.
The Governor invited the cacique, and certain principal Indians, and gave
them hog's flesh to eat. And though they did not commonly use it, yet
they were so greedy of it, that every night there came Indians to certain
houses a crossbow shot from the camp, where the hogs 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
arrows; and to cut off the hands of the other; and he sent him so handled
to the cacique. Who made as though it grieved him; yet they had offended
the Governor, and that he was glad that he had executed that punishment on
them. He lay in a plain country, half a league from the place where the
Christians lodged. Four horsemen went a straggling thither, to wit,
Francisco Osorio, and a servant of the Marquis of Astorga, called Reynoso,
and two servants of the Governor, the one his page, called Ribera, and the
other Fuentes, his chamberlain: and these had taken from the Indians some
skins, and some mantles, wherewith they were offended, and forsook their
houses. The Governor knew of it, and commanded them to be apprehended; and
condemned to death Francisco Osorio, and the chamberlain as principals,
and all of them to loss of goods. The friars and priests and other
principal persons were earnest with him to pardon Francisco Osorio his
life, and to moderate his sentence, which he would not grant for any of
them. While he was ready to command them to be drawn to the market-place
to cut off their heads, there came certain Indians from the cacique to
complain of them. John Ortiz, at the request of Baltasar de Gallegos and
other persons, changed their words, and told the Governor, 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 favor, he should set them free. And he told the Indians,
that the Governor said he had them in prison, and that he would punish
them in such sort, that they should be an example to others. Hereupon the
Governor commanded the prisoners to be loosed. As soon as March was come,
he determined to depart from Chicaça, and demanded of the cacique two
hundred men for carriages. He sent him answer that he would speak with his
principal men. Upon Tuesday, the eighth of March, 1541, the Governor went
to thc town where he was, to ask him for the men: he told him he would
send them the next day. As soon as the Governor was come to Chicaça, he
told Luys de Moscoso, the camp-master, that he misliked the Indians, and
that he should keep a strong watch that night, which he remembered but a
little. The Indians came at the second watch in four squadrons, every one
by itself, and as soon as they were descried, they sounded a drum, and
gave the assault with a great cry, and with so great celerity, that
presently they entered with the scouts, that were somewhat distant from
the camp. And when they were perceived of them which were in the town,
half the houses were on fire, which they had kindled. That night three
horsemen chanced to be scouts; two of them were of base calling, and the
worst men in all the camp, and the other, which was a nephew of the
Governor, which until then was held for a tall man, showed himself 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 town on fire; and tarried
without behind the doors for the Christians, which ran out of thc houses,
not having any leisure to arm themselves; and as they ran hither and
thither amazed with the noise, and blinded with the smoke and 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. Many of the horses were burned in the stables, and those
which could break their halters got loose. The disorder and fight 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 though it
that the horses which ran loose, were men on horseback, that gathered
themselves together to set upon them. The Governor only rode on
horseback, and with him a soldier 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 evil girded, and so he fell from his horse.
And all the people that were on foot were fled to a wood out of the town,
and there assembled themselves together. And because it was night, and
that the Indians thought the horses were men on horseback which came to
set upon them, as I said before, they fled; and one only remained dead,
and that was he whom the Governor slew with his lance. The town lay all
burnt to ashes. There was a woman burned, who, after she and her husband
were both gone out of their house, went in again for certain pearls which
they had forgotten, and when she would have come out, the fire was so
great at the door that she could not, neither could her husband succor
her. Other three Christians came out of their lodgings so cruelly burned,
that one of them died within three days, and the other two were carried
many days each of them upon a couch between staves, which the Indians
carried on their shoulders, for otherwise they could not travel. There
died in this hurlyburly eleven Christians, and fifty horses; and there
remained a hundred hogs, and four hundred were burned. If any perchance
had saved any clothes from the fire of Mavilla, here they were burned, and
many were clad in skins, for they had no leisure to take their coats.
They endured much cold in this place, and the chiefest remedy were great
fires. They spent all night in turnings without sleep: for if they warmed
one side, they freezed on the other. Some invented the weaving of certain
mats of dry ivy, and did wear one beneath, and another above: many laughed
at this device, whom afterward necessity enforced to do the like. The
Christians were so spoiled, and in such want of saddies and weapons which
were burned, that if the Indians had come the second night, they had
overcome them with little labor. They removed thence to the town where
the cacique was wont to lie, because it was in a champaign country.
Within eight days after, there were many lances and saddles made. There
were ash-trees in those parts, whereof they made as good lances as in
Biscay.
Upon Wednesday, the 15th of March, 1541, after the Governor had
lodged eight days in a plain, half 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 camp
in three squadrons, every one by themselves. Those which watched gave the
alarm. The Governor
with great speed set his men in order in other three squadrons, and
leaving some to defend the camp, went out to encounter them. The Indians
were overcome and put to flight. The ground was champaign and fit for the
Christians to take the advantage of them; and it was now break of day.
But there happened a disorder, whereby there were not past thirty or forty
Indians slain: and this it was: that a friar cried out in the camp without
any just occasion, "To the camp, to the camp." Whereupon the Governor and
all the rest repaired thither, and the Indians had time to save
themselves. There were some taken, by whom the Governor informed himself
of the country through which he was to pass. The 25th of April, he
departed from Chicaça, and lodged at a small town called Alimamu. They
had very little maize, and they were to pass a desert of seven days'
journey. The next day, the Governor sent three captains, every one his
way, with horsemen and footmen to seek provisions to pass the desert. And
John Dannusco the Auditor went with fifteen horsemen and forty footmen
that way that the Governor was to go, and found a strong fort made, where
the Indians stayed for him, and many of them walked on the top of it with
their weapons, having their bodies, thighs, and arms ochred and dyed with
black, white, yellow and red, striped like unto panes, so that they showed
as though they went in hose and doublets: and some of them had plumes, and
others had horns on their heads, and their faces black, and their eyes
done round about with steaks of red, to seem more fierce. As soon as they
saw that the Christians approached, with a great cry sounding two drums
with great fury they sallied forth to receive them. John Dannusco and
those that were with him thought good to avoid them, and to acquaint the
Governor therewith. They retired to a plain place, a crossbow-shot from
the fort, in sight of it: the footmen, the crossbow-men, and targeters
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 shoot their arrows, and retired again: and in sight of the Christians
they made a fire, and took an Indian, some by the feet, 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 Dannusco sent three horsemen to advertise the Governor
hereof. He came presently: for his intent was to drive them from thence,
saying, that if he did it not, they would be emboldened to charge him
another time, when they might do him more harm. He made the horsemen to
alight, and set his men in four squadrons. The sign being given, they set
upon the Indians, which made resistance till the Christians came near the
fort, and as soon as they saw they could not defend themselves, by a place
where a brook passed near the fort, they ran away, and from the other side
they shot some arrows; and because at that instant we knew no ford for the
horses to pass, they had time enough to get out of our danger. Three
Indians were slain there, and many Christians were hurt, whereof within
few days, there died fifteen by the way. All men thought the Governor to
be 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 he set upon
them. For with the hope they had to save themselves by flight that way,
when they saw none other means, they fought till they were broken, and it
was an encouragement to defend themselves until then, and to offend the
Christians without any danger to themselves.
Three days after they had sought some maize, 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 needful for them
to rest, as for the great jonrney they were to march to come where store
of maize was: yet the Governor was enforced to depart presently toward
Quizquiz. He traveled seven days through a desert of many marshes and
thick woods: but it might all be traveled on horseback, except some lakes
which they swam over. He came to a town of the province of Quizquiz
without being descried, and took 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 all the people which he had taken there. The
cacique sent him answer again, that his lordship should loose and send
them to him, and that he would come to visit and serve him. The Governor,
because his people for want of maize were somewhat weak and weary, and the
horses also were lean, determined to accomplish his request, to see if he
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 Governor expected the cacique, there came many Indians
with their bows and arrows with a purpose to set upon the Christians. The
Governor had commanded all the horsemen to be armed, and on horseback, and
in readiness. When the Indians saw that they were ready, they stayed a
crossbow-shot from the place where the Governor was, near a brook. And
after
half an hour that they had stood there still, there came to the camp six
principal Indians, and said, "they came to see what people they were, and
that long ago, they had been informed by their forefathers that a white
people should subdue them; and that therefore they would return to their
cacique, and bid him conic presently to obey and serve the Governor:" and
after they had presented him with six or seven skins and mantles which
they brought, they took their leave of him, and returned with the others,
which waited for them by the brook side. The cacique never came again nor
sent other message. And because in the town where the Governor lodged,
there was small store of maize, he removed to another half a league from
Rio Grande,
where they fonnd plenty of maize. And he went to see the
river, and found, that near unto it was great store of timber to make
barges, and good situation of ground to encamp in. Presently he removed
himself thither. They made houses, and pitched their camp in a plain
field a crossbow-shot from the river. And thither was gathered all the
maize of the towns which they had lately passed. They began presently to
cut and hew down timber, and to saw planks for, barges. The Indians came
presently down the river: they leaped on shore, and declared to the
Governor, "that they were subjects of a great lord, whose name was Aquixo,
who was lord of many towns, and governed many people on the other side of
the river, and came to tell him on his behalf, that the next day he with
all 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 bows and arrows, painted, and with great plumes of
white feathers, and many other colors, with shields in their hands,
wherewith they defended the rowers on both sides, and the men of war stood
from the head to the stern, with their bows and arrows in their hands.
The canoe wherein the cacique was, had a tilt over the stern, and he sat
under the tilt; and so were other canoes of the principal Indians. And
from under the tilt where the chief man sat, he governed and commanded the
other people. All joined together, and came within a stone's cast of the
shore. From thence the cacique said to the Governor, which walked along
the river's side with others that waited on him, that he was come thither
to visit, to honor, 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 do. The Governor yielded him thanks, and requested him to
come on shore, that they might the better communicate together. And
without any answer to that point, he sent him three canoes, wherein was
great store of fish and loaves, made of the substance of prunes like unto
bricks. After he had received all, he thanked him, and prayed him again
to come on shore. And because the cacique's purpose was, to see if with
dissimulation he might do some hurt, when they saw that the Governor and
his men were in readiness, they began to go from the shore: and with a
great cry, the crossbow-men which were ready, shot at them, and slew five
or six of them. They retired with great order: none did leave his oar,
though the next to him were slain, and shielding themselves, they went
farther off. Afterward they came many times and landed: and when any of
us came toward them, they fled into their canoes, which were very pleasant
to behold: for they were very great and well made, and had their tilts,
plumes, paueses, and flags, and with the multitude of people that were in
them, they seemed to be a fair army of galleys. In thirty days' space,
while the Governor remained there, they made four barges: in three of
which he commanded twelve horsemen to enter, in each of them four. In a
morning, three hours before day, men which he trusted would land in
despite of the Indians, and make sure the passage, or die, and some
footmen, being crossbow-men, went with them, and rowers to set them on the
other side. And in the other barge he commanded John de Guzman to pass
with the foot-men, which was made captain instead of Francisco Maldonado.
And because the stream was swift, they went a quarter of a league up the
river along the bank, and crossing over, fell down with the stream, and
landed right over against the camp. Two stones' cast before they came to
land, the horsemen went out of the barges on horseback to a sandy plot
very hard and clear ground, where all of them landed without any
resistance. As soon as those that passed first were on land on the other
side, the barges returned to the place where the Governor was: and within
two hours after sun rising, all the people were over. The river was
almost half a league broad. If a man stood still on the other side, it
could not be discerned whether he was a man or no. The river was of great
depth, and of a strong current: the water was always muddy: there came
down the river continually many trees and timber, which the force of the
water and stream brought down. There was great store of fish in it of
sundry sorts, and the most of it differing from the fresh water fish of
Spain, as hereafter shall be showed.
Having passed Rio Grande, the Governor traveled a league and a half,
and came to a great town of Aquixo, which was dispeopled before he came
thither. They espied thirty Indians coming over a plain, which the
cacique sent to discover the Christians' determination; and as soon as
they had sight of them, they took themselves to flight. The horsemen
pursued them, and slew ten, and took fifteen. And because the town,
whither the Governor went, was near unto the river, he sent a captain,
with as many men as he thought sufficient, to carry the barges up the
river. And because in his traveling by land many times he went far from
the river to compass the creeks that came from it, the Indians took
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 bank they shot at them. As soon as the Governor was
come to the town, he presently sent crossbow-men down the river, which
came to rescue them; and upon the coming of the barges to the town, he
commanded them to be broken, and to save the iron for others, when it
should be needful. He lay there one night, and the day following he set
forward to seek a province, called Pacaha, which he was informed to be
near unto Chisca, where the Indians told him there was gold. He passed
through great towns of Aquixo, which were all abandoned for fear of the
Christians. He understood by certain Indians that were taken that three
days' journey from thence dwelt a great cacique, whose name was Casqui.
He 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 some places came to
the waist, 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
down as forlorn men all night in the water. At noon they came to the
first town of Casqui: they found the Indians careless, because they had no
knowledge of them. There were many men and women taken, and store of
goods, as mantles and skins, as well in the first town, as in another,
which stood in a field half a league from thence in sight of it; whither
the horsemen ran. This country is higher, drier, and more champaign, than
any part bordering near the river that until then they had seen. There
were in the fields many walnut trees, bearing soft-shelled walnuts in the
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 Spain, nor from those which we had seen before, but only that
they have a smaller leaf. There were many mulberry trees and plum trees,
which bare red plums like those of Spain, and others gray, somewhat
differing, but far better. And all the trees are all the year so
fruitful, as if they were planted in orchards; and the woods were very
thin. The Governor traveled two days through the country of Casqui,
before he came to the town where the
cacique
was; and the most of the way
was alway by champaign ground, which was full of great towns, so that from
one town, you might see two or three. He sent an Indian to certify the
cacique that he was coming to the place where he was, with intent to
procure his friendship, and to hold hint as his brother. Whereunto he
answered, that he should be welcome, and that he would receive him with
special good-will, and accomplish all that his lordship would command him.
He sent him a present upon the way; to wit, skins, mantles, and fish: and
after these compliments, the Governor found all the towns, as he passed,
inhabited with people, which peaceably attended his coming, and offered
him skins, mantles, and fish. The cacique, accompanied with many Indians,
came out of the town, and stayed half a league on the way to receive the
Governor, and when he came to him, he spake these words following: —
"Right high, right mighty, and renowned lord, your lordship is most
heartily welcome. As soon as I had notice of your lordship, of your
power, and your perfections, although you came into my country killing and
taking captives the inhabitants thereof and my subjects, yet I determined
to conform my will unto yours, and as your own to interpret in good part
all that your lordship did: believing 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 mischief be permitted to
avoid a greater, and that good may come thereof: which I believe will so
fall out. For it is no reason to presume of so excellent a prince, that
the nobleness of his heart, and the effect of his will would permit him to
suffer any unjust thing. My ability is so small to serve you as your
lordship deserveth, that if you respect not mine abundant good-will, which
humbly offereth all kind of service, I deserve but little in your
presence. But if it be reason that this be esteemed, receive the same,
myself, my country, 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 Governor answered him to the purpose, and satisfied him in few
words. Within a while after both of them used words of great offers and
courtesy the one to the other, and the cacique requested
him to lodge in his houses. The Governor, to preserve the peace the
better, excused himself, saying that he would lodge in the fields. And
because it was very hot, they camped near certain trees a quarter of a
league from the town. The cacique went to his town, and came again with
many Indians singing. As soon as they came to the Governor, all of them
prostrated themselves upon the ground. Among these came two Indians that
were blind. The cacique made a speech: to avoid tediousness, I will only
tell in a few words the substance of the matter. He said, that seeing the
Governor was the son of the Sun, and a great lord, he besought him to do
him the. favor to give sight to those two blind men. The blind men rose
up presently, and very earnestly requested the same of the Governor. He
answered, that in the high heavens was he that had power to give them
health, and whatsoever they could ask of him; whose servant he was: and
that this Lord made the heavens and the earth, and man after his own
likeness, and that he suffered upon the cross to save mankind, and rose
again the third day, and that he died as he was man, and as touching his
divinity, he was, and is immortal; and that he amended into heaven, where
he standeth with his arms open to receive all such as turn unto him: and
straightway he commanded him to make a very high cross of wood, which was
set up in the highest place of the town; declaring unto him, that the
Christians worshiped the same in resemblance and memory of that whereon
Christ suffered. The Governor and his men kneeled down before it, and the
Indians did the like. The Governor willed him, that from thenceforth he
would worship the same, and should ask 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 day's journey, and that at the
end of his country, there was a lake like a brook which falleth into Rio
Grande, and that he would send men before to make a bridge whereby he
might pass. The same day that the Governor departed thence, he lodged at
a town belonging to Casqui; and the next day he passed in sight of other
towns, and came to the lake, which was half a crossbow shot over, of a
great depth and current. At the time of his coming, 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 than the
bridge, for them that passed to take hold on. The Cacique of Casqui came
to the Governor, add brought his people with him. The Governor sent word
by an Indian to the Cacique of Pacaha, that though he were enemy to the
Cacique of
Casqui, and though he were there, yet he would do him no disgrace nor
hurt, if he would attend him peaceably, and embrace his friendship; but
rather would intreat him as a brother. The Indian, which the Governor
sent, came again, and said that the cacique made no account of that which
he told him, but fled with all his men out at the other side of the town.
Presently the Governor entered, and ran before with the horsemen, that way
by which the Indians fled; and at another town, distant a quarter of a
league from thence, they took many Indians; and as soon as the horsemen
had taken them, they delivered them to the Indians of Casqui, whom,
because they were their enemies, with much circumspection and rejoicing,
they brought to the town where the Christians were: and the greatest
grief they had was this, that they could not get leave to kill them.
There were found in the town many mantles, and deer skins, lion skins, and
bear skins, and many cat skins. Many came so far poorly appareled, and
there they clothed themselves: of the mantles, they made them coats and
cassocks, and some made gowns, and lined them with cat skins; and likewise
their cassocks. Of the deer skins, some made them also jerkins, shirts,
hose and shoes: and of the bear skins, they made them very good cloaks:
for no water could pierce them. There were targets of raw ox hides found
there; with which hides they armed their horses.
Upon Wednesday, the 19th of June, 1541, the Governor entered into
Pacaha. He lodged in the town, where the cacique used to regide, which
was very great, walled, and beset with towers, and many loopholes were in
the towers and wall. And in the town was great store of old maize, and
great quantity of new in the fields. Within a league and half a league
were great towns all walled. Where the Governor was lodged was a great
lake, that came near unto the wall; and it entered into a ditch, that went
round about the town, wanting but a little to environ it around. From the
lake to the great river was made a wear by which the fish came into it;
which the cacique kept for his recreation and sport. With nets that were
found in the town, they took as much as they would; and took 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 river, and the most of it was different from
the fresh-water fish of Spain. There was a fish which they called bagres;
the third part of it was head, and it had on both sides the gills, and
along the sides great pricks like very sharp awls. Those of the 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 fifty
pounds weight, and many of them were taken with the hook. There was
another fish like barbilles, and another like breams, headed like a
delicate fish, called in Spain besugo, between red and gray. This was
there of most esteem. There was another fish called peel fish; it had a
snout of a cubit long, and at the end of the upper lip it was made like a
peel. There was another fish called a western shad; and all of them had
scales, except the bagres, and the peel fish. There was another fish which
sometimes the Indians brought us, of the bigness of a hog; they called it
the pereo fish; it had rows of teeth beneath and above. The Cacique of
Casqui sent many times great presents of fish, mantles, and skins. He
told the Governor that he would deliver the Cacique of Pacaha into his
hands. He went to Casqui, and sent many canoes up the river, and came
himself by land with many of his people. The Governor, with forty
horsemen and sixty footmen, took 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 between two arms of the river. And five
Christians entered 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 six thousand souls. And as soon as they saw them, supposing that the
Indians which were in the other canoes were also Christians, the cacique,
and certain 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
fear and danger, leapt into the river, where many people were drowned,
especially women and little children. Presently the Governor, who 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 took 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 carry over to the other side, drove down the river,
wherewith the Indians of Casqui filled their canoes; and for fear lest the
Christians would take it from them, the cacique went home with them down
the river, without taking his leave of the Governor; whereupon the
Governor was highly offended with him, and presently returning to Pacaha,
he overran the country of Casqui the space of two leagues, where he took
twenty or thirty of his men. And because his horses were weary, and he
wanted
time that day to go any farther, he returned to Pacaha, with determination
within three or four days 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 he would have his friendship, he should repair unto him, and that
both of them would make war upon Casqui. And presently came many Indians
that belonged to Pacaha, and brought an Indian instead of the cacique,
which was discovered by the cacique's brother, which was taken prisoner.
The Governor wished the Indians that their master himself should come; for
he knew very well that that was not he, and told them that they could do
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, skins and mantles. He made a speech that all were glad to hear, and
concluded saying, that though his lordship, without his giving occasion of
offence had done him hurt in his country and subjects, yet he would not
therefore refuse to be his, and that he would always be at his command.
The Governor commanded his brother to be loosed, and other principal
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
himself of the error which he had committed, in going away without license
of the Governor. The Governor willed the messenger to signify unto him,
that if he came not in his own person, he would seek him himself, and give
him such punishment as he deserved. The next day with all speed came the
Cacique of Casqui, and brought a present to the Governor of many mantles,
skins, 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. He made a long and discreet oration, giving him great
commendations, and concluded, saying, that he should pardon his going away
without license, for that cross's sake which he had left with him;
protesting that he went away for shame of that which his men had done
without his consent. The Governor answered him that he had chosen a good
patron; and that if he had not come to excuse himself, he had determined
to seek him, to burn his towns, to kill him and his people, and to destroy
his country. To which he replied, saying:
"My lord, I and mine are yours, and my country likewise is yours;
therefore if you had done so, you should have destroyed
your own country, and have killed your own people; whatsoever shall come
unto me from your hand, I will receive as from my lord, as well punishment
as reward; and know you, that the favor which you did me in leaving me the
cross, I do acknowledge the same to be a very great one, and greater than
I have ever deserved. For you shall understand, that with great droughts
the fields of maize of my country were withered; and as soon as I and my
people kneeled before the cross, and prayed for rain, presently our
necessities were relieved."
The Governor 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 seats, which of them should sit on his right hand. The Governor
pacified them; telling them that among the Christians all was cue to sit
on the one side, or on the other, willing them so to behave themselves,
seeing they were with him, that nobody might hear them, and that every one
should sit in the place that first he lighted on. From thence he sent
thirty horsemen and fifty footmen to the province of Caluça, to see if
from thence he might travel to Chisca, where the Indians said there was a
work of gold and copper. They traveled seven days' journey, through a
desert, and returned very weary, eating green plums, and stalks of maize,
which they found in a poor town of six or seven houses. From
thenceforward towards the north, the Indians said that the country was
very ill inhabited, because it was very cold; and that there was such
store of oxen, that they could keep no corn for them; and that the Indians
lived upon their flesh. The Governor, seeing that toward that part the
country was so poor of maize that in it they could not be sustained,
demanded of the Indians which way it was most inhabited; and they said,
they had notice of a great province, and a very plentiful country, which
was called Quigaute, and that it was toward the south.
The Governor rested in Pacaha forty days; in all which time the two
caciques served him with great store of fish, mantles, and skins, and
strove who should do him greatest service. At the time of his departure
the Cacique of Pacaha gave him two of his sisters, saying that in sign of
love that he might remember him, he should take them for his wives: the
one's name was Macanoche, and the other's Mochila: they were well
proportioned, tall of body, and well fleshed. Macanoche was of a good
countenance, and in her shape and physiognomy looked like a lady; the
other was strongly made. The Cacique of Casqui commanded the bridge to be
repaired, and the Governor
returned through his country, and lodged in the field near his town,
whither he came with great store of fish, and two women, which he
exchanged with two Christians for two shirts. He gave us a guide and men
for carriages. The Governor lodged at a town of his, and the next day at
another near a river, whither he caused canoes to be brought for him to
pass over, and with his leave returned. The Governor took his journey
toward Quigaute. The fourth day of August he came to the town, where the
cacique used to keep his residence: on the way he sent him a present of
many mantles and skins, and not daring to stay for him in the town, he
absented himself. The town was the greatest that was seen in Florida.
The Governor and his people lodged in the one-half of it; and within few
days, seeing the Indians became liars, he commanded the other half to be
burned, because it should not be a shelter for them, if they came to
assault him by night, nor a hinderance to his horsemen for the resisting
of them. There came an Indian very well accompanied with many Indians,
saying that he 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 skins. The counterfeit cacique, seeing so little opportunity
to execute his evil thought, as he went one day abroad talking with the
Governor, he showed him such a pair of heels, that there was no Christian
that could overtake him, and he leaped into the river, which was a
crossbow shot from the town: and as soon as he was on the other side, many
Indians that were thereabout making a great cry began to shoot. The
Governor passed presently over to them with horsemen and foot-men, but
they durst not tarry for him. Going forward on his way, he came to a town
where the people were fled, and a little further to a lake, where the
horses could not pass, and on the other side were many women. The footmen
passed, and took many of them, and much spoil. The Governor came to the
camp, and that night was a spy of the Indians taken by them of the watch.
The Governor asked him, whether he would bring him where the cacique was?
he said he would. And he went presently to seek him, with twenty horsemen
and fifty footmen; and after he had sought him a day and a half, he found
him in a strong wood: and a soldier, 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, and a hundred and forty of his men with
him. The Governor came again to Quigaute, and willed him to cause his men
to come to serve the
Christians; and staying some days for their coming, and seeing they came
not, he sent two captains, every one his way on both sides of the river
with horsemen and footmen. They took many men and women. Now seeing the
hurt which they sustained for their rebellion, they came to see what the
Governor 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 Governor loose, and the halberdiers of his guard did keep
them. The Governor asked them which way the country was most inhabited?
They said, that toward the south down the river, were great towns and
caciques, which commanded great countries, and much people. And that
toward the north-west, there was a province near to certain mountains,
that was called Coligoa. The Governor and all the rest thought good to go
first to Coligoa: saying, that peradventure the mountains would make some
difference of soil, and that beyond them there might be some gold or
silver. As for Quigaute, Casqui, and Pacaha, they
were plain countries,
fat grounds, and full of good meadows on the rivers, where the Indians
sowed large fields of maize. From Tascaluca to Rio Grande,
or the Great
River, is about three hundred leagues: it is a very low country, and hath
many lakes. From Pacaha to Quigaute may be an hundred leagues. The
Governor left the Cacique of Quigaute in his own town. And an Indian,
which was his guide, led him through great woods without any way, seven
days' journey through a desert, where, at every lodging, they lodged in
lakes and pools in very shoal water; there was such store of fish, that
they killed them with cudgels; and the Indians which they carried in
chains, with the mud troubled the waters, and the fish being therewith, as
it were, astonished, came to the top of the water, and they took as much
as they listed. The Indians of Coligoa had no knowledge of the
Christians, and when they came so near the town that the Indians saw them,
they fled up a river which passed near the town, and some leaped into it;
but the Christians went on both sides of the river, and took them. There
were many men and women taken, and the cacique with them. And by his
commandment within three days came many Indians with a present of mantles
and deers' skins, and two ox hides: and they reported, that five or six
leagues from thence toward the north, there were many of these oxen, and
that because the country was cold, it was evil inhabited; that the best
country which they knew, the most plentiful, and most inhabited, was a
province called Cayas, lying toward the south. From
Quigaute to Coligoa may be forty leagues. This town of Coligoa stood at
the foot of a hill, on the bank of a mean river, of the bigness of Cayas,
the river that passeth by Estremadura. It was a fat soil and so plentiful
of maize, that they cast out the old, to bring in the new. There was also
great plenty of French beans and pompions. The French beans were greater,
and better than those of Spain, and likewise the pompions, and being
roasted, they have almost the taste of chestnuts. The Cacique of Coligoa
gave a guide to Cayas, and stayed behind in his own town. We traveled
five days, and came to the province of Palisema. The house of the cacique
was found covered with deers' skins, of divers colors and works drawn in
them, and with the same in manner of carpets was the ground of the house
covered. The cacique left it so, that the Governor might lodge in it, in
token that he sought peace and his friendship. But he durst not tarry his
coming. The Governor, seeing he had absented himself, sent a captain with
horsemen and footmen to seek him. He found much people, but by reason of
the roughness of the country, he took none save a few women and children.
The town was little and scattering, and had very little maize. For which
cause the Governor speedily departed from thence. He came to another town
called Tatalicoya; he carried with him the cacique thereof, which guided
him to Cayas. From Tatalicoya are four days' journey to Cayas. When he
came to Cayas, and saw the town scattered, he 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 threatened the cacique, charging him
to tell him where he was: and he and other Indians which were taken near
about that place, affirmed that this was the town of Cayas, and the best
that was in that country, 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 maize. This town was
called Tanico; he pitched his camp in the best part of it, near unto a
river. The same day that the Governor came thither, he went a league
farther with certain horsemen, and without finding any people, he found
many skins in a pathway, which the cacique had left there, that they might
be found, in token of peace. For so is the custom in that country.
The Governor rested a month in the province of Cayas. In which time
the horses fattened and thrived more, than in other places in a longer
time, with the great plenty of maize and the leaves thereof
which I think was the best that has been seen, and they drank of a lake of
very hot water, and somewhat brackish, and they drank so much, that it
swelled in their bellies when they brought them from the watering. Until
that time the Christians wanted salt, and there they made good store,
which they carried along with them. The Indians do carry it to other
places to exchange it for skins and man tIes. 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 utuch sand mingled with it, they
throw it into certain baskets which they have for that purpose, broad at
the mouth and narrow at the bottom, and set it in the air upon a bar, and
throw water into it, and set a small vessel under it, wherein it falleth:
Being strained and set to boil upon the fire, when the water is sodden
away, the salt remaineth in the bottom of the pan. On both sides of the
river the country was full of sown fields, and there was store of maize.
The Indians durst not come over where we were; and when some of them
showed themselves, the soldiers that saw them called unto them; then the
Indians passed the river, and came with them where the Governor was. lie
asked them for the cacique. They said that he remained quiet, but that he
durst not show himself. The Governor presently sent him word, that he
should come unto him, and bring him a guide and an interpreter for his
journey, if he made account of his friendship: and if he did not so, he
would come himself to seek him, and that it would be the worse for him.
He waited three days, and seeing he came not, lie went to seek him, and
brought him prisoner with 150 of his men. He asked him, whether he had
notice of any great cacique, and which way the country was best inhabited.
He answered, that the best country thereabout was a province toward the
south, a day and a half's journey, which was called Tulla; and that he
could give him a guide, but no interpreter, because the speech of that
country was different from his, and because he and his ancestors had
always wars with the lords of that province; therefore they had no
commerce, nor understood one another's language. Immediately the Governor
with certain horsemen, and fifty foottnen, departed towards Tulla, to see
if the country were such, as he might pass through it with all his
company: and as soon as he arrived there, and was espied of the Indians,
the country gathered together, and as soon as fifteen and twenty Indians
could assemble themselves, they set upon the Christians: and seeing that
they did handle them shrewdly, and that the horsemen overtook them when
they fled, they got up into the tops of their houses,
and sought to defend themselves with their arrows: and being beaten down
from one, they got 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 run. The Indians
killed there one horse, and some were hurt. There were fifteen Indians
slain there, and forty women and boys were taken prisoners. For
whatsoever Indian did shoot at them, if they could come by him, they put
him to the sword. The Governor determined to return 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 days after he departed thence towards
Tulla with all his company. 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 stayed three days by the way, and the day that he
came thither, he found the town abandoned: for the Indians durst not
tarry his coming. But as soon as they knew that the Governor was in
Tulla, the first night about the morning watch, they came in two squadrons
two several ways, with their bows and arrows, and long staves like pikes.
As soon as they were descried, both horse and foot sallied out upon them,
where many of the Indians were slain: and some Christians and horses were
hurt. Some of the Indians were taken prisoners, whereof the Governor sent
six 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 himself, that he
would come to seek him, and that he would do the like to him, and as many
of his as he could find, as he had done to those which he had sent him:
and gave him three days' respite for to come. And this he gave them to
understand by signs, as well as he could, for there was no interpreter.
At the three days' end, there came an Indian laden with ox hides. He came
weeping with great sobs, and coming to the Governor cast himself down at
his feet. He took him up, and he made a speech, but there was none that
understood him. The Governor by signs commanded him to return to the
cacique, and to will him to send him an interpreter, which could
understand the men of Cayas. The next day came three Indians laden with
ox hides: and within three days 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 Governor, concluded with this, that he and the
other were come thither on the cacique's behalf, to see what his lordship
would
command him to do, for he was ready at his commandment. The Governor and
all his company were very glad. For in nowise could they travel without
an interpreter. The Governor commanded him to be kept safe, and bade him
tell the men that came with him, that they should return to the cacique,
and signify unto him, that he pardoned him for that which was past, and
thanked him much for his presents and interpreter, which he had sent him,
and that he would be glad to see him, and that he should come the next day
to talk with him. After three days, the cacique came, and eighty Indians
with him; and himself and his men came weeping into the camp, in token of
obedience and repentance for the error passed, after the manner of that
country. He brought a present of many ox hides: which, because the country
was cold, were very profitable, and served for coverlets, because they
were very soft, and wooled like sheep. Not far from thence toward the
north were many oxen. The Christians saw them not, nor came into the
country where they were, because those parts were evil inhabited, and had
small store of maize where they were bred. The Cacique of Tulla made an
oration to the Governor, wherein he excused himself, and offered him his
country, subjects, and person. As well this cacique as the others, and
all those which came to the Governor on their behalf, delivered their
message or speech in so good order, that no orator could utter the same
more eloquently.
The Governor informed himself of all the country round about; and
understood, that toward the west was a scattered dwelling, and that toward
the southeast were great towns, especially in a province called Autiamque,
ten days' journey from Tulla; which might be about eighty leagues; and
that it was a plentiful country of maize. And because wtater came on, and
that they could not travel two or three months in the year for cold,
waters, and snow: and fearing, that if they should stay so long in the
scattered dwelling, they could not be sustained; and also because the
Indians said, that near to Autiamque was a great water, and according to
their relation, the Governor thought it was some arm of the sea: and
because he now desired to send news of himself to Cuba, that some supply
of men and horses might be sent unto him (for it was about three years
since Donna Isabella, which was in Havana, or any other person in
Christendom 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
go to the sea coast and make two brigantines, and send one of them to
Cuba, and the other to Nueva Espanna, that that which went in safety,
might give news
of him: hoping with the goods which he had in Cuba, to furnish himself
again, 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 took his journey toward Autiamque: he
traveled five days over rough mountains, and came to a town called
Quipana, where no Indians could be taken for the roughness of the country:
and the town being between hills, there was an ambush laid, wherewith they
took two Indians; which told them, that Autiamque was six days' journey
from thence, and that there was another province toward the south, eight
days' journey off, plentiful of maize, and very well peopled, which was
called Guahate. But because Autiamque was nearer, and the most of the
Indians agreed of it, the Governor made his journey that way. In three
days he came to a town called Annoixi. He sent a captain before with
thirty horsemen and fifty footmen, and took the Indians careless; he took
many men and women prisoners. Within two days after the Governor came to
another town called Catamaya, and lodged in the fields of the town. Two
Indians came with a false message from the cacique to know his
determination. He bade them tell their lord, that he should come and
speak with him. The Indians returned and came no more, nor any other
message from the cacique. The next day the Christians went to the town,
which was without people: they took as much maize as they needed. That
day they lodged in a wood, and the next day they came to Autiamque. They
found much maize laid up in store, and French beans, and walnuts, and
prunes, great store of all sorts. They took some Indians which were
gathering together the stuff which their wives had hidden. This was a
champaign country, and well inhabited. The Governor lodged in the best
part of the town, and commanded presently to make a fence of timber round
about the camp distant from the houses, that the Indians might not hurt
them without by fire. And measuring the ground by paces, he appointed
every one his part to do according to the number of Indians which he had:
presently the timber was brought by them; and in three days there was an
inclosure made of very high and thick posts thrust into the ground, and
many rails laid across. Hard by this town 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 cacique's behalf with a present of mantles and
skins; and an halting cacique, subject to the lord of Autiamque, lord of
a town called Tietiquaquo, came many times to visit the Governor, and to
bring him
presents of such as he had. The Cacique of Autiamque sent to know of the
Governor, how long time he meant to stay in his country? And
understanding that he meant to stay about three days, he never sent any
more Indians, nor any other message, but conspired with the lame cacique
to rebel. Divers inroads were made, wherein there were many men and women
taken, and the lame cacique among the rest. The Governor respecting the
services which he had received of him, reprehended and admonished him, and
set him at liberty, and gave him two Indians to carry him in a chair upon
their shoulders. The Cacique of Autiamque desiring to thrust the Governor
out of his country, set spies over him. And an Indian coming one night to
the gate of the inclosure, a soldier that watched espied him, and stepping
behind the gate, as he came in, he gave him such a thrust, that he fell
down; and so he carried him to the Governor: and as he asked him
wherefore he came, not being able to speak, he fell down dead. The night
following the Governor commanded a soldier to give the alarm, and to say
that he had seen Indians, to see how ready they would be to answer the
alarm. And he did so sometimes as well there, as in other places, when he
thought that his men were careless, and reprehended such as were slack.
And as well for this cause, as in regard of doing their duty, when the
alarm was given, every one sought to be the first that should answer.
They staid in Autiamque three months, with great plenty of maize, French
beans, 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 springs, which lifted up their feet 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 cony, because they should
not gnaw the string. They took many in the fields of maize, especially
when it froze or snowed. The Christains stayed there one whole month so
inclosed with snow, that they went not out of the town: and when they
wanted firewood, the Governor with his horsemen going and coming many
times to the wood, which was two crossbow shots from the town, made a
pathway, whereby the footmen went for wood. In this mean space, some
Indians which went loose, killed many conies with their wives, and with
arrows. These conies were of two sorts, some were like those of Spain,
and the other of the same color and fashion, and as big as great hares,
longer, and having greater loins.
Upon Monday the 6th of March, 1542, the Governor departed from
Autiamque to seek Nilco, which the Indians said was near the great river,
with determination to come to the sea, and procure some succor of men and
horses; for he had now but three hundred men of war, and forty horses, and
some of them lame, which did nothing but help to make up the number; and
for want of iron they had gone above a year unshod; and because they were
used to it in the plain country, it did them no great harm. John Ortiz
died in Autiamque, which grieved the Governor very much; because that
without an interpreter he feared to enter far into the land, where he
might be lost. From thenceforward a youth that was taken in Cutifachiqui
did serve for interpreter, which had by that time learned somewhat of the
Christians' language. The death of John Ortiz was so great a mischief for
the diseovering inward, or going out of the land, that to learn of the
Indians, that which in four words he declared, they needed a whole day
with the youth; and most commonly he understood quite contrary that which
was asked him; whereby it often happened that the way that they went one
day, and sometimes two or three days, they turned back, and went astray
through the wood here and there. The Governor spent ten days in traveling
from Autiamque to a province called Ayays; and came to a town that stood
near the river that passeth by Cayas and Autiamque. There he
commanded a
barge to be made, wherewith he passed the river. When he had passed the
river there fell out such weather, that four days he could not travel for
snow. As soon as it gave over snowing, he went three days' journey
through a wilderness, and a country so low, and so full of lakes and evil
ways, that he traveled a whole day in water, sometimes knee deep,
sometimes to the stirrup, and sometimes they swam. He came to a town
called Tutelpinco, abandoned, and without maize. There passed by it a
lake, that entered into the river, which carried a great stream and force
of water. Five Christians passing over it in a periagua, which the
Governor had sent with a captain, the periagua overset. Some took 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 Governor
went a whole day along the lake, seeking passage, and could find none, nor
any way that did pass to the other side. Coming again at night to the
town he found two peaceable Indians, which showed him the passage, and
which way he was to go. There they made of canes and of the timber of
houses thathed with cane, rafts, wherewith they passed the lake. They
traveled three days, and came to a town of the territory of Nilco,
called Tianto. There they took thirty Indians, and among them two
principal men of this town. The Governor sent a captain, with horsemen
and footmen, before to Nilco, because the Indians might have no time to
carry away the provision. They passed through three or four great towns;
and in the town where the cacique was resident, which was two leagues from
the place where the Governor remained, they found many Indians with their
bows and arrows, in manner as though they would have stayed to fight,
which did compass the town; and as soon as they saw the Christians come
near them, without misdoubting them, they set the cacique's house on fire,
and fled over a lake that passed near the town, through which the horses
could not pass. The next day being Wednesday, the 29th of March, the
Governor came to Nilco; he lodged with all his men in the cacique's town,
which stood in a plain field, which was inhabited for the space of a
quarter of a league: and within a league and half a league were other
very great towns, wherein was great store of maize, of French beans, of
walnuts, and prunes. This was the best inhabited country that was seen in
Florida, and had most store of maize, except Coça and
Apalache. There
came to the camp an Indian accompanied with others, and in the cacique's
name gave the Governor a mantle of martens' skins, and a cordon of pearls.
The Governor gave him a few small margarites, which are certain beads much
esteemed in Peru, and other things, wherewith he was very well contented.
He promised to return within two days, but never came again: but on the
contrary the Indians came by night in canoes, and carried away all the
maize they could, and made them cabins on the other side of the river in
the thickest of the wood, because they might flee if we should go to seek
them. The Governor, seeing he came not at the time appointed, commanded
an ambush to be laid about certain store- houses near the lake, whither
the Indians came for maize: where they took two Indians, who told the
Governor, that he which came to visit him, was not the cacique, but was
sent by him under pretence to spy whether the Christians were careless,
and whether they determined to settle in that country or to go forward.
Presently the Governor sent a captain with footmen and horsemen over the
river; and in their passage they were descried of the Indians, and
therefore he could take but ten or twelve men and women, with whom he
returned to the camp. 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 Pachahas and Aquixo near unto the province of
Guachoya: and the lord thereof came up the river in canoes to make war
with
him of Nilco. On his behalf there came an Indian to the Governor and said
unto him, that he was his servant, and prayed him so to hold him, and that
within two days he would come to kiss his lordship's hands: and at the
time appointed he came with some of his principal Indians, which
accompanied him, and with words of great offers and courtesy he gave the
Governor a present of many mantles and deers' skins. The Governor gave
him some other things in recompense, and honored him much. He asked him
what towns there were don the river? He answered that he knew none other
but his own: and on the other side of the river the province of a cacique
called Quigalta. So he took his leave of the Governor and went to his own
town. Within a few days the Governor determined to go to Guachoya, to
learn there whether the sea were near, or whether there were any
habitation near, where he might relieve his company, 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
stream, and when they saw him, supposing that he came to seek them to do
them some hurt, they returned down the river, and informed the cacique
thereof: who with all his people, spoiling the town of all that they
could carry away, passed that night over to the other side of the Rio
Grande, or the Great River. The Governor sent a captain with fifty men in
six canoes down the river, and went himself by land with the rest: he
came to Guachoya upon Sunday, the 17th of April: he lodged in the town of
the cacique, which was enclosed about, and seated a crossbow shot distant
from the river. Here the river is called Tamaliseu, and in Nilco Tapatu,
and in Coça Mico, and in the port or mouth Ri.
As soon as the Governor came to Guachoya, he sent John Danusco with
as many men as could go in the canoes up the river. For when they came
down from Nilco, they saw on the other side of the river new cabins made.
John Danusco went and brought the canoes laden with maize, French beans,
prunes, and many loaves made of the substance of prunes. That day came an
Indian to the Governor front the Cacique of Guahoya, and said that his
lord would come the next day. They 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 hour: they consulted whether they should come
or not; and at length concluded to come, and crossed the river. In them
came the Cacique of Guachoya, and brought with him many Indians, with
great store of fish, dogs, deers' skins, and mantles: and as soon as
they landed, they went to the lodging of the Governor, and presented him
their gifts, and the cacique uttered these words: —
"Mighty and excellent lord, I beseech your lordship to pardon me the
error which I committed in absenting myself, and not tarrying in this town
to have received and served your lordship; since, to obtain this
opportunity of time, was, and is as much as a great victory 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 soon as I thought on it, I determined not to follow
the opinion of the foolish, which is to continue in their error; but to
imitate the wise and discreet, in changing my counsel, and so I came to
see what your lordship will command me to do, that I may serve you in all
things that are in my power."
The Governor received him with much joy, and gave him thanks for his
present and offer. He asked him, whether he had any notice of the sea.
He answered no, nor of any towns down the river on that side; save that
two leagues from thence was one town of a principal Indian, a subject of
his; and on the other side of the river, three days' journey from thence
down the river, was the province of Quigalta, which was the greatest lord
that was in that country! The Governor thought that the cacique lied unto
him, to rid him out of his own towns, and sent John Danusco with eight
horsemen down the river, to see what habitation there was, and to inform
himself, if there were any notice of the sea. He traveled eight days, and
at his return he said, that in all that time he was not able to go above
fourteen or fifteen leagues, because of the great creeks that came out of
the river, and groves of canes, and thick woods that were along the banks
of the river, and that he had found no habitation. The Governor 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 succor to sustain
themselves in the country: and with that thought he fell sick. But before
he took his bed he sent an Indian to the Cacique of Quigalta to tell him,
that he was the child of the sun, and that all the way that he 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 sign of love and obedience to bring something with him of that which in
his country was most esteemed. The cacique answered by the same Indian:
"That whereas he said he was the child of the sun, if be would dry up
the river he would believe him: and touching the rest, that he
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 he desired to see him, it were best he should come
thither: that if he came in peace, he would receive him with special good
will; and if in war, in like manner he would attend him in the town where
he was, and that for him or any other he would not shrink one foot back.
By that time the Indian returned with this answer, the Governor had
betaken himself to bed, being evil handled with fevers, and was much
aggrieved that he was not in case to pass presently the river and to seek
him, to see if he could abate that pride of his, considering the river
went now very strongly in those parts; for it was near half a league
broad, and sixteen fathoms deep, and very furious, and ran with a great
current; and on both sides there were many Indians, and his power was not
now so great, but that he had need to help himself rather by slights than
by force. The Indians of Guachoya came every day with fish in such
numbers, that the town was full of them. The cacique said, that on a
certain night he of Quigalta would come to give battle to the Governor.
Which the Governor imagined that he had devised, to drive him out of his
country, and commanded him to be put in hold: and that night and all the
rest, there was good watch kept. He asked him wherefore Quigalta came
not? He said that he came, but that he saw him prepared, and therefore
durst not give the attempt: and he was earnest with him to send his
captains over the river, and that he would aid him with many men to set
upon Quigalta. The Governor told him that as soon as he was recovered,
himself would seek him out. And seeing how many Indians came daily to the
town, and what store of people was in that country, fearing they should
all conspire together and plot some treason against him; and because the
town 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
think he feared them, he let them all alone unrepaired; and commanded the
horse-men 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 scouts that were without the town in their standings by
the passages, and the crossbowmen that kept the canoes in the river. And
because the Indians should stand in fear of them, he determined to send a
captain 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 assail him; and he sent Nuñez de
Touar with fifteen horsemen, and John de Guzman captain of the footmen,
with his company in canoes up the river. The Cacique of Guachoya sent for
many canoes and many warlike Indians to go with the Christians: and the
captain of the Christians, called Nuñez de Touar went by land with his
horsemen, and two leagues before he came to Nico he stayed for John de
Guzman, and in that place they passed the river by night: the horsemen
came first, and in the morning by break of day in sight of the town they
lighted upon a spy; which as soon as he perceived the Christians, crying
out amain fled to the town to give warning. Nuñez de Touar and his
company made such speed, that before the Indians of the town could fully
come out, they were upon them: it was champaign ground that was
inhabited, which was about a quarter of a league. There were about five
or six thousand people in the town: and, as many people came out of the
houses, and 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 captain 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 shrieks of women and children were so
great, that they made the ears deaf of those that followed them. There
were slain a hundred Indians, little more or less: and many were wounded
with great wounds, whom they suffered to eseape to strike a terror in the
rest that were not there. There were some so cruel and butcherlike, that
they killed old and young, and all that they met, though they made no
resistance: and those which presumed of themselves for their valor, and
were taken for such, broke through the Indians, bearing don many with
their stirrups and breasts of their horses; and some they wounded with
their lances, and so let them go: and when they saw any youth or woman
they took them, and delivered them to the foot-men. These men's sins by
God's permission, lighted on their own heads: who, because they would
seem valiant, became cruel; showing themselves extreme cowards in the
sight of all men when as most need of valor was required, and afterwards
they came to a shameful death. Of the Indians of Nilco were taken
prisoners, fourscore women and children, and much spoil. The Indians of
Guachoya kept back before they came at the town, and stayed without,
beholding the success of the Christians with the men of Nilco. And when
they saw them put to flight, and the horsemen busy in killing of them,
they
hastened to the houses to rob, and filled their canoes with the spoil of
the goods; and returned to Guachoya before the Christians; and wondering
much at the sharp dealing which they had seen them use toward the Indians
of Nilco, they told their cacique all that had passed with great
astonishment.
The Governor felt in himself that the hour approached wherein he was to
leave this present life, and called for the king's officers, captains, and
principal persons, to whom he made a speech, saying: —
"That now he was to go 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
unworthy servant did yield him many thanks therefore; and desired all that
were present and absent (whom he confessed himself to be much beholding
unto for their singular virtues, love and loyalty, which himself had well
tried in the travels which they had suffered, which always in his mind he
did hope to satisfy and reward, when it should please God to give him
rest, with more prosperity of his estate), that they would pray to God for
him, that for his mercy he would forgive him his sins, and receive his
soul into eternal glory: and that they would quit and free him of the
charge which he 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 successor, he requested them to elect a principal person,
and able to govern, of whom all should like well; and when he was
elected, they should swear before him to obey him: and that he would
thank them very much in so doing; because the grief that he had, would
somewhat be assuaged, and the pain that he felt, because he left them in
so great confusion, to wit, in leaving them in a strange country, 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 eyes
how short the life of this world was, and with how many troubles and
miseries it is accompanied, and how God showed 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 himself,
although his death did justly grieve them much, yet as well he, as all the
rest, ought of necessity to conform themselves to the will of God. And
touching the Governor 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 captain-general. And presently he was sworn by
all that were present, and elected for governor. The next day, being the
21st of May, 1542, departed out of this life, the valorous, virtuous, and
valiant Captain, Don Fernando de Soto, Governor of Cuba,
and Adelantado of
Florida: whom fortune advanced, as it useth to do others, that he might
have the higher fall. He departed in such a place, and at such a time, as
in his sickness he had but little comfort: and the danger wherein all his
people were of perishing in that country, which appeared before their
eyes, was cause sufficient why every one of them had need of comfort, and
why they did not visit nor accompany him as they ought to have done. Luys
de Moscoso determined to conceal his death from the Indians, because
Ferdinando de Soto had made them believe that the Christians were
immortal; and also because they took him to be hardy, wise, and valiant:
and if they should know that he was dead, they would be bold to set upon
the Christians, though they lived peaceably by them. In regard of their
disposition, and because they were nothing constant, and believed all that
was told them, the Adelantado made them believe, 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
glass, which he showed them, did tell him whatsoever they practiced and
went about: and therefore neither in word nor deed durst they attempt
anything that might be prejudicial unto him.
As soon as he was dead, Luys de Moscoso commanded to put him secretly
in the house, where he remained three days; and removing him from thence,
commanded him to be buried in the night at one of the gates of the town
within the wall. And as the Indians had seen him sick, and missed him, so
did they suspect what might be. And passing by the place where he was
buried, seeing the earth moved, 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 deal of sand into the mantles, wherein he was
wound up, wherein he was carried in a canoe, and thrown into the midst of
the river. The Cacique of Guachoya inquired for him, demanding what was
become of his brother and lord, the Governor: Luys de Moscoso told him
that he was gone to heaven, as many other times he did: and because he
was to stay there certain days he had left him in his place. The cacique
thought with himself that he was dead; and commanded two young
and well-proportioned Indians to be brought thither; and said, that the
use of that country was, when any lord died, to kill Indians to wait upon
him, and serve him by the way, and for that purpose by his commandment
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 Governor was not dead, but gone to heaven, and
that of his own Christian soldiers, he had taken such as he needed to
serve him, and prayed him to command those Indians to be loosed, and not
to use any such had custom from thenceforth: straightway he commanded
them to be loosed, and to get them home to their houses. And one of them
would not go; saying, that he would not serve him, that without desert
had judged him to death, but that he would serve him as long as he lived,
which had saved his life.
Luys de Moscoso caused all the goods of the Governor to be sold at an
outcry: to wit, two men slaves and two women slaves, and three horses,
and seven hundred hogs. For every slave or horse, they gave two or three
thousand ducats: which were to be paid at the first melting of gold or
silver, or at the division of their portion of inheritance. And they
entered into bonds, though in the country there was not wherewith, to pay
it within a year after, and put in sureties for the same. Such as in
Spain had no goods to bind, gave two hundred ducats for a hog, giving
assurance after the same manner. Those which had any goods in Spain,
bought with more fear, and bought the less. From that time forward, most
of the company had swine, and brought them up, and fed upon them; and
observed Fridays and Saturdays, and the evenings of feasts, which before
they did not. For some times in two or three months they did eat no
flesh, and whensoever they could come by it, they did eat it.
Some were glad of the death of Don Ferdinando de Soto, holding for
certain that Luys de Moscoso (which was given to his case), would rather
desire to be among the Christians at rest, than to continue the labors of
the war in subduing and discovering of countries; whereof they were
already weary, seeing the small profit that ensued thereof. The Governor
commanded the captains and principal persons to meet to consult and
determine what they should do. And being informed what peopled habitation
was round about, he understood that to the west, the country was most
inhabited, and that down the river beyond Quigalta was uninhabited, and
had little store of food. He desired them all, that every one would give
his opinion in writing,
and set his hand to it: that they might resolve by general consent,
whether they should go down the river, or enter into the main land. All
were of opinion, that it was best to go by land toward the west, because
Nueva España 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 storm, neither had they master, nor pilot, compass, nor chart,
neither knew they how far the sea was off, nor had any notice of it; nor
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 seen the seachart, did find, that from the place where they were
by the sea-coast to Nueva España, might be four hundred leagues, little
more or less; and said, that though they went somewhat about by land in
seeking a peopled country, if some great wilderness which they could not
pass did hinder them, by spending that summer in travel, finding provision
to pass the winter in some peopled country, that the next summer after
they might come to some Christian land, and that it might fortune in their
travel by land to find some rich country, where they might do themselves
good. The Governor, although he desired to get out of Florida in shorter
time, seeing the inconveniences they lald before him, in traveling by sea,
determined to follow that which seemed good to them all. On Monday, the
fifth day of June, he departed from Guachoya. The cacique gave him a
guide to Chaguate, and stayed at home in his own town. They passed
through a province called Catalte: and having passed a wilderness of six
days' journey, the twentieth day of the month he came to Chaguate. The
cacique of this province had visited the Governor Don Ferdinando de Soto
at Autiamque, whither he brought him presents of skins, and mantles, and
salt. And a day before Luys de Moscoso came to his town, we lost a
Christian that was sick; which he suspected that the Indians had slain.
He sent the cacique word, that he should command his people to seek him
up, and send him unto him, and that he would hold him, as he did, for his
friend; and if he dld not, that neither he, nor his, should escape his
hands, and that he would set his country on fire. Presently the cacique
came unto him, and brought a great present of mantles and skins, and the
Christian that was lost, and made this speech following:
"Right excellent lord, I would not deserve that conceit which you had
of me, for all the treasure of the world. What enforced me to go to visit
and serve the excellent Lord Governor your father in Autiamque, which you
should have remembered, where I offered my
self with all loyalty, faith and love, during my life to serve and obey
him? What then could be the cause, I having received favors of him, and
neither you nor he having done me any wrong, that should move me to do the
thing which I ought not? Believe this of me, 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 natural course, that after one
pleasure many sorrows do follow: so by your indignation, fortune would
moderate the joy, which my heart conceiveth with your presence; and that
I should err, where I thought surest to have hit the mark; in harboring
this Christian which was lost, and using in such manner, as he may tell
himself, 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 from
my lord, as if it were a favor. For the love which I did bear to the
excellent Governor, and which I bear to you hath no limit. And like as
you give me chastisement, so will you also show me favor. And that which
now I crave of you is this, to declare your will unto me, and those things
wherein I may be able to do you the most and best service."
The Governor answered him, that because he did not find him in that
town, he was incensed against him, thinking he had absented himself, as
others had done: but seeing he now knew his loyalty and love, he would
always hold him as a brother, and favor him in all his affairs. The
cacique went with him to the town where he resided, which was a day's
journey from thence. They passed through a small town, where there was a
lake, where the Indians made salt: and the Christians made some one day
while they rested there, of a brackish water, which sprang near the town
in ponds like fountains. The Governor stayed in Chaguate six days. There
he was informed of the habitation towards the west. They told him, that
three days' journey from thence was a province called Aguacay. The day
that he departed from Chaguate, a Christian, called Francisco de Guzman,
the base son of a gentleman of Seville, stayed behind, and went to the
Indians, with an Indian woman which he kept as his concubine, for fear he
should be punished for gaming debts that he did owe. The Governor had
traveled two days before he missed him; he sent the cacique word to seek
him up, and to send him to Aguacay, whither he traveled: which he did not
perform. From the Cacique of Aguacay, before they came into the country,
there met him on the way fifteen Indians with a present of skins, fish,
and roasted venison. The Governor
came to this town on Wednesday, the fourth of July. He found the town
without people, and lodged in it: he stayed there about a day; during
which, he made some roads, and took 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 vein of ground like pebble stones. And it
was made as they made salt in Cayas.
The same day that the Governor departed from Aguacay, he lodged in a
small town subject to the lord of that province. The camp was pitched
hard by a lake of salt water; and that evening they made some salt there.
The day following he lodged between two mountains in a thin grove of wood.
The next day he came to a small town 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 half's journey; which they traveled, finding all
the way inhabited places. Having passed the peopled country of Amaye, on
Saturday, the twentieth of July, they pitched their camp at noon between
Amaye and Naguatex along the corner of a grove of very fair trees. In the
same place certain Indians were discovered, that came to view them. The
horsemen went out to them, and killed six, and took two, whom the Governor
asked, wherefore they came? They said, to know what people he 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 aid him,
determined that day to bid him battle. While they were occupied in these
questions and answers, there came many Indians by two ways in two
squadrons: and when they saw they were descried, giving a great cry they
assaulted the Christians each squadron by itself; but seeing what
resistance the Christians made them, they turned their backs and betook
themselves to flight, in which many of them lost their lives; and most of
the horsemen following them in chase, careless of the camp, other two
squadrons of Indians, which lay in ambush, set upon the Christians that
were in the camp, 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 crossbow shot from tide place where
they were. The Governor sent twelve horsemen to see what it was. They
found six Christians, four footmen and two horsemen, among many Indians;
the horsemen defending the footmen with great labor. These being of them
that chased the first two squadrons, had lost themselves, and coming to
recover the camp fell among those with whom they were fighting: and so
they, and those
that came to succor them, slew many of the Indians, and brought one alive
to the camp: whom the Governor examined, who they were that came to bid
him battle. 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 captain and
chief of them all. The Governor commanded his right arm and nose to be
cut off, and sent him to the Cacique of Naguatex, charging him to tell
him, that the next day he would be in his country to destroy him; and if
he would withstand his entrance, he should stay for him. That night he
lodged there; and the next day he came to the habitation of Naguatex,
which was very scattering: he inquired where the cacique's chief town
was? They told him that it was on the other side of a river, that passed
thereby: he traveled thitherward, and came unto it: and on the other
side he saw many Indians, that tarried for him, making show as though they
would defend the passage. And because he knew not whether it could be
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 certain
days in the town where he was. So he pitched his camp a quarter of a
league from the river, because the weather was very hot, near unto the
town, in a thin grove of very fair and high trees near a brook's side:
and in that place were certain Indians taken; whom he examined, whether
the river were wadeable or no? They said yea, at some times, and in some
places. Within ten days after he sent two captains with fifteen horsemen
a piece upward and down the river with Indians to show them where they
should go over, to see what habitation was on the other side. And the
Indians withstood them both, defending the passage of the river as far 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 news returned to the camp.
The Governor sent an Indian from Naguatex where he lay, to command
the cacique to come to serve and obey him, and that he would I forgive him
all that was past; that if he came not, that he would seek him, and give
him such punishment as he had deserved for that which he had done against
him. Within two days the Indian returned, and 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 principal men: he sent them to see
what countenance they found in the Governor, to resolve with himself
whether he should go or not. The Indians let him understand, that he was
coming, and went away presently: and the cacique came within two hours
accompanied with many of his men: they came all in a rank one before
another on both sides, leaving a lane in the midst where he came. They
came where the Governor was, all of them weeping after the manner of
Tulla, which was not far from thence toward the east. The cacique made his
due obedience, and the speech following:
"Right high and mighty lord, whom all the world ought to serve and
obey, I was bold to appear 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 greatness, that although I deserve to
obtain no pardon, yet for your own sake only you will use clemency toward
me, considering how small I am in comparison of your lordship; and not to
think upon my weaknesses, which, to my grief and for my greater good, I
have known. And I believe that you and yours are immortal; 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 battle, which, through mine
ignorance, and the counsel 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 me as your own."
The Governor answered him, that he forgave him all which was past,
that from thenceforth he should do his duty, and that he would hold him
for his friend, and that he would favor him in all things. Within four
days he departed thence, and coming to the river he could not pass,
because it was grown very big; which seemed to him a thing of admiration,
being at that time that it was, and since it had not rained a month
before. The Indians said, that it increased many times after that manner
without raining in all the country. It was supposed, that it might be the
tide that came into it. It was learned that the flood came alway from
above, and that the Indians of all that country had no knowledge of the
sea. The Governor returned unto the place where he had lodged before:
and understanding within eight days after that the river was passable, he
departed. He passed over and found the town without people: he lodged in
the field, and sent the cacique word to come unto him, and to bring him a
guide to go forward. And some days being past, seeing the cacique came
not, nor sent anybody, he sent two captains sundry ways to burn
the towns, and to take such Indians as they could find. They burnt:
great store of victuals, and took many Indians. The cacique seeing the
hurt that he received in his country, sent six principal Indians with
three men for guides, which knew the language of the country through which
the Governor was to pass. He departed presently from Naguatex, and within
three days' journey came to a town of four or five houses, which belonged
to the cacique of that province, which is called Nissoone: it was evil
inhabited, and had little maize. Two days' journey forward the guides
which guided the Governor, if they were to go westward, guided him to the
east; and sometimes went up and down through very great woods out of the
way. The Governor commanded them to be hanged upon a tree: and a woman
that they took in Nissoone guided him, and went back again to seek the
way. In two days he came to another miserable town called Lacane: an
Indian was taken in that place, that said, that the country of Nondacao
was a country of great habitation, and the houses scattering the one from
the other, as they used to be in mountains, and had great store of maize.
The cacique came with his men weeping, like them of Naguatex: for this is
their use in token of obedience: he made him a present of much fish, and
offered to do what he would command him. He took his leave, and gave him
a guide to the province of Soacatino.
The Governor departed from Nondacao
towards Soacatino, and in five days' journey came to a province called
Aays. The Indians which inhabited it had no notice of the Christians:
but as soon as they saw that they entered into their country, they
assembled themselves: and as they came together fifty or a hundred, they
came forth 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 town.
Some horses and men were wounded, but not to any hurt of their traveling:
for there was no wound that was dangerous. There was a great spoil made
of the Indians. That day that the Governor departed from thence, the
Indian that guided him said that in Nondacao he had heard say, that the
Indians of Soacatino had seen other Christians, whereof they all were very
glad: thinking it might be true, and that they might have entered into
those parts by Nueva España; and that if it were so, it was in their own
hand to go out of Florida, if they found nothing of profit: for they
feared they should lose themselves in some wilderness. This Indian led
him two days out of the way. The Governor 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 he was to do as his
lord commanded him. The Governor commanded him to be cast to the dogs:
and another guided him to Soacatino, whither he came the day following.
It was a very poor country: there was great want of maize in that place.
He 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
traveled twenty days through a country evil inhabited, where they suffered
great scarcity and trouble; for that little maize which the Indians had,
they had hidden and buried in the woods, where the Christians, after they
were well wearied with their travel, at the end of their journey went to
seek by digging what they should eat. At last, coming to a province that
was called Guasco, they found maize, wherewith they loaded their horses
and the Indians that they had. From thence they went to another town
called Naquiscoça. The Indians said they had no notice of any other
Christians. The Governor 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 Governor came in
two days to Naçacahoz. Some women were taken there: among whom there was
one which said that she had seen Christians and had been taken by them,
and had run away. The Governor sent a captain with fifteen horsemen to
the place where the woman said she had seen them, to see if there was any
sign of horses, or any token of their being there. After they had gone
three or four 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
country that way was poor of maize, and toward the west there was no
notice of any habitation, they returned to Guasco. The Indians told them
there, that ten days' journey from thence toward the west, was a river
called Daycao, whither they went sometimes a hunting and killing of deer:
and that they had seen people on the other side, but knew not what
habitation was there. There the Christians took such maize as they found
and could carry, and going ten days' journey through a wilderness, they
came to the river which the Indians had told them of. Ten horsemen, which
the Governor had sent before, passed over the same and went in a way that
led to the river, and lighted upon a company of Indians that dwelt in very
little cabins: who as soon as they saw them took themselves to flight,
leaving that which they had; all which was nothing but misery and
poverty.
The country was so poor, that among them all there was not found half a
peck of maize. The horsemen took two Indians, and returned with them to
the river, where the Governor stayed for them. He sought to learn of them
what habitation was toward the west. There was none in the camp that
could understand their language. The Governor assembled the captains and
principal persons to determine with their advice what they should do. And
the most part said that they thought it best to return back to Rio Grande,
or the Great River of Guachoya; because that in Nilco and thereabout was
store of maize; Saying, that they would make pinnaces that winter, and
the next summer pass down the river to the seaward in them, and coming to
the sea they would go along the coast to Nueva España. For though it
seemed a doubtful thing and difficult, by that which they had already
alleged, yet it was the last remedy they had. For by land they could not
go for want of an interpreter. And they held, that the country 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 settled place, and fed upon Tunas and roots of the
fields, and wild beasts that they killed. Which if it were so, if they
should enter into it and find no victuals to pass the winter, they could
not choose but perish, for they were entered already into the beginning of
October: and if they stayed any longer they were not able to return for
rain and snows, nor to sustain themselves in so poor a country. The
Governor (that desired long to see himself in a place where he might sleep
his full sleep, rather than to conquer and govern a country where so many
troubles presented themselves) presently returned back that same way that
he came.
When that which was determined was published in the camp, there were
many that were greatly grieved at it: for they held the sea voyage as
doubtful, for the evil means they had, and of as great danger as the
traveling by land: and they hoped to find some rich country before they
came to the land of the Christians, by that which Cabeça de Vaca had told
the Emperor: and that was this: That after he had found clothes made of
cotton wool, he saw gold and silver, and stones of great value. And they
had not yet come where he had been. For until that place he always
traveled by the sea-coast: and they traveled far within the land; and
that going towards the west, of necessity they should come where he had
been. For he said that in a certain place he traveled many days, and
entered into the land to ward the north. And in Guasco they had already
found some Turkey
stones, and mantles of cotton wool: which the Indians signified by signs
that they had from the west: and that holding that course they should
draw near to the land of the Christians. But though they were much
discontented with it, and it grieved many to go backward, which would
rather have adventured their lives and have died in the land of Florida,
than to have gone poor out of it; yet were they not a sufficient part to
hinder that which was determined, because the principal men agreed with
the Governor. And afterward there was one that said, he would put out one
of his own eyes, to put out another of Luys de Moscoso; because it would
grieve him much to see him prosper: because as well himself as others of
his friends had crossed that which he durst not have done, seeing that
within two days he should leave the government. From Daycao, where now
they were, to Rio Grande, or the Great River, was one hundred and fifty
leagues: which unto that place they had gone westward. And by the way as
they returned back they had much ado to find maize to eat: for where they
had passed the country was destroyed; and some little maize that was left
the Indians had hidden. The towns which in Naguatex they had burned
(whereof it repented them) were repaired again, and the houses full of
maize. This country is well inhabited and plentiful. In that place are
vessels made of clay, which differ very little from those of Estremoz, or
Montemor. In Chaguate the Indians by commandment of the cacique came
peaceably, and said, that the Christian which remained there would not
come. The Governor wrote unto him, and sent him ink and paper that he
might answer. The substance of the words of the letter was to declare
unto him his determination, which was to go out of the land of Florida,
and to put him in remembrance that he was a Christian, that he would not
remain in the subjection of infidels, that he pardoned him the fault which
he had done in going away to the Indians, that he should come unto him:
and if they did stay him, that he would advertise him thereof by writing.
The Indian went with the letter, and came again without any more answer,
than, on the back side, his name and seal, that they might know he was
alive. The Governor sent twelve horsemen to seek him: but he, which had
his spies, so hid himself, that they could not find him. For want of
maize the Governor could not stay any longer to seek him. He departed
from Chaguate, and passed the river by Aays; going down by it he found a
town called Chilano, which as yet they had not seen. They came to Nilco,
and found so little maize, as could not suffice till they made their
ships; because the Christians, being in Guachoya in the seed time, the
Indians for
fear of them durst not come to sow the grounds of Nilco: and they knew
not thereabout any other country where any maize was: and that was the
most fruitful soil that was thereaway, and where they had most hope to
find it. Every one was confounded, and the most part thought it bad
counsel to come back 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, unless God would work a miracle for them:
for there was neither pilot, nor sea- chart, neither did they know where
the river entered into the sea, neither had they notice of it, neither had
they anything wherewith to make sai]s, nor any store of enequem, which is
a grass whereof they make oakum, which grew there; and that which they
found they saved to caulk the pinnaces withal; neither had they anything
to pitch them withal; neither could they make ships of such substance, but
that any storm would put them in great danger: and they feared much it
would fall out 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 find no maize: for without it they could not be
sustained, nor could do anything that they had need of. All of them were
put to great confusion. Their chief 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 goodness, that the Indians of
Nilco came peaceably, and told them, that two days' journey from thence,
near unto the Great River, were two towns, whereof the Christians had no
notice, and that the province was called Minoya, and was a fruitful soil:
that, whether at this present there was any maize or no, they knew not,
because they had war with them: but that they would be very glad with the
favor of the Christians to go and spoil them. The Governor sent a captain
thither with horsemen and footmen, and the Indians of Nilco with him. He
came to Minoya, and found two great towns seated in a plain and open soil,
half a league distant, one in sight of another, and in them he took many
Indians, and found great store of maize. Presently he lodged in one of
them, and sent word to the Governor what he 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 northern wind, 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 day's journey, they found dry 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 sick of great and dangerous diseases, which had a spice of the
lethargy. At this place died Andrew de Vasconcelos, and two Portuguese of
Elvas, which were very near him: which were brethren, and by their
surname called Sotis. The Christians lodged in one of the towns which
they liked best, which was fenced about, and distant a quarter of a league
from the Great River. The maize that was in the other town was brought
thither; and in all it was esteemed to be six thousand hanegs or bushels.
And there was the best timber to make ships that they had seen in all the
land of Florida; wherefore all of them gave God great thanks for so
singular a favor, and hoped that that which they desired would take
effect, which was, that they might safely be conducted into the land of
the Christians.
As soon as they came to Minoya, the Governor commanded them to gather
all the chains together, which every one had to lead Indians in; and to
gather all the iron which they had for their provision, and all the rest
that was in the camp: and to set up a forge to make nails, and commanded
them to cut down timber for the briguntines. And a Portuguese of Ceuta,
who having been 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 Genevese, whom it pleased God to
preserve (for without him they had never come out of the country, for
there was never another that could make ships but he), with four or five
other Biscayan carpenters, which hewed his planks and other timbers, made
the brigantines: and two calkers, the one of Geneva, the other of
Sardinia, did calk them with the tow of an herb like hemp, whereof before
I have made mention, which there is named enequen. And because there was
not enough of it, they calked them with the flax of the country, and with
the mantles, which they raveled for that purpose. A cooper which they had
among them fell sick, 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 very weak, and could not labor, yet fifteen
days before they departed, he made for every brigantine two half
hogsheads, which the mariners call quarterets, because four of them hold a
pipe of water. The Indians which dwelt two days' journey above the river
in a province called Taguanate, and likewise those of Nilco and
Guacoya, and others their neighbors seeing the brigantines in making,
thinking, because their places of refuge are in the water, that they were
to go to seek them, and because the Governor demanded mantles of them, as
necessary for sails, came many times, and brought many mantles, and great
store of fish. And for certain it seemed that God wad willing to favor
them in so great necessity, moving the minds of the Indians to bring them:
for to go to take them, they were never able. For in the town where they
were, as soon as winter came, they were so enclosed and compassed with
water, that they could go no farther by land, than a league, and a league
and a half. And if they would go farther, they could carry no horses, and
without them they were not able to fight with the Indians, because they
were many: and so many for so many on foot 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 country, which was according to their
desire for the use of their war. They brought also some cords, and those
which wanted for cables were made of the barks of mulberry trees. They
made stirrups of wood, and made anchors of their stirrups. In the month
of March, when it had rained a month before, the river grew so big that it
came to Nilco, which was nine leagues of: and on the other side, the
Indians said, that it reached other nine leagues into the land. In the
town where the Christians were, which was somewhat high ground, where they
could best go, the water reached to the stirrups. They made certain rafts
of timber, and laid many boughs 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 highest. So
they were two months, and could do 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 Governor feared they
would set upon him. He commanded his men to take an Indian secretly of
those that came to the town, and to stay him till the rest were gone: and
they took one. The Governor commanded him to be put to torture, to make
him confess whether the Indians did practice any treason or no. He
confessed that the caciques of Nilco, Guachoya, and Taguanate, and others,
which in all were about twenty caciques, with a great number of people,
determined to come upon him; and that three days before, they would send
a great present of fish to cover their great treason and malice, and on
the very day they would send some Indians before
with another present. And these, with those which were our slaves, which
were of their conspiracy also, should set the houses on fire, and first of
all possess themselves of the lances which stood at the doors of the
houses; and the caciques, with all their men, should be near the town in
ambush in the wood, and when they saw the fire kindled, should come, and
make an end of the conquest. The Governor commanded the Indian to be kept
in a chain, and the selfsame day that he spoke of, there came thirty
Indians with fish. He commanded their right hands to be cut off, and sent
them so back 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 he should know, that they thought not anything
which he knew not before they thought of it. Hereupon they all were put
in a very great fear: and the caciques of Nilco and Taguanate came to
excuse themselves: and a few days after came he of Guachoya, and a
principal Indian, and his subject, said, he knew by certain information,
that the caciques of Nilco and Taguanate were agreed to come and make war
upon the Christians. As soon as the Indians came from Nilco, the Governor
examined them, and they confessed it was true. He delivered them
presently to the piincipal men of Guachoya, which drew them out of the
town and killed them. Another day came some from Taguanate, and confessed
it likewise. The Governor 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
fish, and hogs, which bred in the country of some swine that were lost by
the way the last year. As soon as the waters were slaked, they persuaded
the Governor to send to Taguanate. They came and brought canoes, wherein
the footmen were conveyed down the river, and a captain with horsemen went
by land; and the Indians of Guachoya, which guided him till they came to
Taguanate, assaulted the town, and took many men and women, and mantles,
which with those that they had already were sufficient to supply their
want. The brigantines being finished in the month of June, the Indians
having told us that the river increased but once a year, when the snows
did melt, in the time wherein I mentioned it had already increased, being
now in summer, and having not rained a long time, it pleased God that the
flood came up to the town to seek the brigantines, 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 keels, and to be all
undone; because that for want of
iron, the spikes were short, and the planks and timber were very weak.
The Indians of Minoya, during the time that they were there came to serve
them (being driven thereunto by necessity) that of the maize which they
had taken from them, they would bestow some crumbs upon them, and because
the country was fertile, and the people used to feed of maize, and the
Christians had gotten all from them that they had, and the people were
many, they were not able to sustain themselves. Those which came to the
town were so weak and feeble, that they had no flesh left on their bones:
and many came and died near the town for pure hunger and weakness. The
Governor commanded upon grievous punishments to give them no maize. Yet,
when they saw that the hogs wanted it not, and that they had yielded
themselves to serve them, and considering their misery and wretchedness,
having pity of them, they gave them part of the maize which they had. And
when the time of their embarkment came, there was not sufficient to serve
their own turns. That which there was, they put into the brigantines, and
into great canoes tied two and two together. They shipped twenty-two of
the best horses that were in the camp, the rest they made dried flesh of;
and dressed the hogs which they had in like manner. They departed from
Minoya the second day of July, 1543.
The day before they departed from Minoya, they determined to dismiss
all the men and women of the country, which they had detained as slaves to
serve them, save some hundred, little more or less, which the Governor
embarked, and others whom it pleased him to permit. And because there
were many men of quality, whom he could not deny that which be 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 carry theirs to Nueva España: and all
those whom he bare no good- will unto (which were the greater number)
ignorant of that which was hidden from them, which afterward time
discovered, thinking it inhumanity for so little time of service, in
reward of the great service that they had done them, to carry them with
them, to leave them slaves to other men out of their own countries, left
five hundred men and women; among whom were many boys and girls, which
spake and understood the Spanish tongue. The most of them did nothing but
weep; which moved 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
three hundred and twenty-two Spaniards in seven brigantines, well made,
save that the planks were thin, because the nails were short, and were not
pitched, nor had any decks to keep the water from coming in. Instead of
decks they laid planks, whereon the mariners might run to trim their
sails, and the people might refresh themselves above and below. The
Governor made his captains, and gave to every one his brigantine, and took
their oath and their word, that they would obey him, until they came to
the land of the Christians. The Governor took one of the brigantines 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 arbor with
boughs. They desired him to come on shore; but he excused himself, and
so went along. The Indians in their canoes accompanied him; and coming
where an arm of the river declined on the right hand, they said that the
Province of Quigalta was near unto that place,
and importuned the Governor
to set upon him, and that they would aid him. And because they had said
that he dwelt three days' journey down the river, the Governor supposed
that they had plotted some treason against him, and there left them; and
went down with the greatest force of the water. The current was very
strong, and with the help of oars, 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 brigantines. The next day they came to a town
where they went on shore, and the people that was in it durst not tarry.
A woman that they took there being examined, said, that the town belonged
to a cacique named Huasene, subject to
Quigalta, and that Quigalta tarried
for them below in the river with many men. Certain horsemen went thither,
and found some houses, wherein was much maize. Immediately more of them
went thither and tarried there one day, and which they did beat out, and
took as much maize 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
Governor sent in two canoes the crossbowmen that he had, and as many more
as could go in them. They ran away, and seeing the Spaniards could not
overtake them, they returned back, and took courage; and coming nearer,
making an outcry, they threatened them: and as soon as they departed
thence, they went after them, some in canoes, and some
by land along the river; and getting before, coming to a town that stood
by the river's side, they joined altogether, making a show that they would
tarry there. Every brigantine towed a canoe fastened to their sterns for
their particular service. Presently there entered men into every one of
them, which made the Indians to fly, and burned the town. The same day
they presently landed in a great field, where the Indians durst not tarry.
The next day there were gathered together an hundred canoes, among which
were some that carried sixty and seventy men, and the principal men's
canoes had their tilts, and plumes of white and red feathers for their
ensigns: and they came within two crossbow shots of the brigantines, and
sent three Indians in a small canoe with a feigned message to view the
manner of the brigantines, and what weapons they had. And coming to the
side of the Governor's brigantine, one of the Indians entered, and said:
"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 himself, was false, and that they had incensed him, because
they were his enemies; that he was his servant, and should find him so."
The Governor answered him, that he believed 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 down, and
came near the Spaniards, shouting aloud, and threatening of them. The
Governor sent John de Guzman, which had been a captain of footmen in
Florida, with fifteen armed men in canoes to make them give way. As soon
as the Indians saw them come towards them, they divided themselves into
two parts, and stood still till the Spaniards came nigh them, and when
they were came near them, they joined together on both sides, taking John
de Guzman in the middle, and them that came first with him, and with great
fury boarded 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 overwhelm them; so presently they overwhelmed them. The
Christians fell into the water, and with the weight of their armor sunk
down to the bottom; and some few, that by swimming or holding by the
canoe could have saved themselves, with oars and staves which they had,
they struck them on the head and make them sink. When they of the
brigantines saw the overthrow, though they went about to succor them, yet
through the current of
the river they could not go back. Four Spaniards fled to the brigantine
that was nearest to the canoes; and only these escaped of those that came
among the Indians. There were eleven that died there among whom John de
Guzman was one, and a son 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 stern of one of their canoes, and whether they carried him
away dead or alive they could not certainly tell.
The Indians, seeing that they had got the victory, took such courage,
that they assaulted them in the brigantines, which they durst not do
before. They came first to that brigantine wherein Calderon went for
captain, and was in the rearward: and at the first volley of arrows they
wounded twenty-five men. There were only four armed men in this
brigantine; these did stand at the brigantine's side to defend it. Those
that were unarmed, seeing how they hurt them, left their oars and went
under the deck: whereupon the brigantine began to cross, and to go where
the current of the stream carried it. One of the armed men seeing this,
without the commandment of the captain, made a footman to take an oar and
steer the brigantine, he standing before him and defending him with his
target. The Indians came no nearer than a bowshot, from whence they
offended and were not offended, receiving no hurt: for in every
brigantine was but one crossbow, and those which we had were very much out
of order. So that the Christians did nothing else but stand for a butt to
receive their arrows. Having left this brigantine they went to another,
and fought with it half an hour; and so from one to another they fought
with them all. The Christians had mats to lay under them, which were
double, and so close and strong, that no arrow went through them. And as
soon as the Indians gave them leisure, they fenced the brigantines with
them. And the Indians seeing that they could not shoot level, shot their
arrows at random up in the air, which fell into the brigantines, 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 brigantines
environed them to defend them, and took them among them. Thus seeing
themselves much vexed by them, and so wearied that they could no longer
endure it, they determined to travel all the night following, thinking to
get beyond the country of Quigalta, and that they would leave them: but
when they thought least of it, supposing that they had now left them, they
heard
very near them so great outcries, that they made them deaf, and so they
followed us all that night, and the next day till noon, by which time we
were come into the country 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 fifty canoes fought with us a whole day and a night; and
they entered one of the brigantines, that came in the rearward, by the
canoe which she had at her stern, and took away a woman which they found
in it, and afterwards hurt some of the men in the brigantines. Those
which came with the horses in the canoes, being wearied with rowing night
and day, lingered behind; and presently the Indians came upon them, and
they of the brigantines tarried for them. The Governor resolved to go on
shore and kill the horses, because of the slow way which they made because
of them. As soon as they saw a place convenient for it, they went thither
and killed the horses, and brought the flesh of thcm to dry it on board.
Four 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 run up and down in such sort, that the
Indians, for fear of them, leaped into the water; and getting into their
canoes went after the brigantines, shooting cruelly at them. They
followed us that evening and the night following till the next day at ten
of the clock, and then returned up the river. Presently from a small town
that stood upon the river came seven canoes, and followed us a little way
down the river, shooting at us: but seeing they were so few that they
could do us but little harm, they returned to their town. From thence
forward, until they came to the sea, they had no encounter. They sailed
down the river seventeen days: which may be two hundred and fifty
leagues' journey, little more or less: and near unto the sea, the river
is divided into two arms; each of them is a league and a half broad.
Half a league before they came to the sea, they came to anchor to
rest themselves there about a day; for they were very weary with rowing,
and out of heart. For by the space of many days they had eaten nothing
but parched and sodden maize; which they had by allowance every day an
headpiece full by strike for every three men. While they rode there at
anchor seven canoes of Indians came to set upon those which they brought
with them. The Governor commanded armed men to go aboard 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 very valiantly with us, which went out to
encounter them. And the other that came in canoes with their arrows staid
for them that came against them, and at their coming both those that were
on land, and those in the canoes wounded some of us: and seeing us come
near them, they turned their backs, and like swift horses among footmen
got away from us; making some returns, 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 bows, yet
they could not use them; and brake their arms with rowing to overtake
them. And the Indians easily in their compass 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 near them, the more hurt they received. As soon as they
had driven them farther off, they returned to the briguntines. They
stayed two days there: and departed from thence unto the place where the
arm of the river entereth into the sea. They sounded in the river near
unto the sea, and found forty farthoms water. They staid there. And the
Governor commanded all and singular persons to speak their minds touching
their voyage, whether it were best to cross over to Nueva España,
committing themselves to the high sea, or whether they should keep along
the coast. There were sundry opinions touching this matter: wherein John
Danusco, which presumed much, and took much upon him in the knowledge of
navigation, and matters of the sea, although he had but little experience,
moved the Governor with his talk: and his opinion was seconded by some
others. And they affirmed, that it was much better to pass by the high
sea, and cross the gulf, which was three of four parts the lesser travel,
because in going along the coast, they went a great way about, by reason
of the compass which the land did make. John Danusco said, that he had
seen the sea-card, 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
España from north to south: and therefore in sailing always in sight of
land would be a great compassing about and spending of much time; and
that they would be in great danger to be overtaken with winter before they
should get to the land of the Chrtstians: and that in ten or twelve days'
space, having good weather, they might be 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 staid the longer: because their ships were
very
weak and without decks, so that a very little storm was enough to cast
them away: and if they should be hindered with calms, or contrary
weather, through the small store of vessels which they had to carry 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 sea-card to guide themselves, it was no good counsel to cross the
gulf. 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 anchor of the Governors brigantine brake, and the
anchor remained in the river. And albeit they were near the shore, yet it
was so deep, that the divers diving many times could never find it; which
caused great sadness in the Governor, and in all those that went with him
in his brigantine: but with a grindstone which they had, and certain
bridles which remained to some of the gentlemen, and men of worship which
had horses, they made a weight which served instead of an anchor. The
18th of July (1543) they went forth to sea with fair and prosperous
weather for their voyage. And seeing that they were gone two or three
leagues from the shore, the captains of the other brigantines overtook
them, and asked the Governor, 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 he did otherwise, they would
not follow him, but that every one would do what seemed best unto himself.
The Governor answered, that he would do nothing without their counsel, but
that he did bear off from the land to sail the better and safer by night;
and that the next day when time served, he would return to the sight of
land again. They sailed with a reasonable good wind that day and the
night following, and the next day till evening song, always in fresh
water; whereat they wondered much: for they were very far 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 enters far into the sea.
That evening on their right hand they saw certain creeks, whither they
went, and rested there that night: where John Danusco with his reasons won
them at last, that all consented and agreed to commit themselves to the
main sea, alleging, as he had done before, that it was a great advantage,
and that their voyage would be much shorter. They sailed two days, and
when they would have come to sight of land they could not, for the wind
blew from the shore. On the fourth day, seeing their fresh water began to
fail, fearing necessity and danger, they all complained of John Danusco,
and of the Governor
that followed his counsel: and every one of the captains said, that they
would no more go from the shore, though the Governor went whither he
would. It pleased God that the wind changed, though but a little: and at
the end of four days after they had put to sea, being already destitute of
water, by force of rowing they got within sight of land, and with great
trouble recovered it, in an open road. That evening the wind came to the
south, which on that coast is a cross wind, and drove the brigantines
against the shore, because it blew verv hard, and the anchors were so
weak, that they yielded and began to bend. The Governor commanded all men
to leap into the water, and going betweeen them and the shore, and
thrusting the brigantines into the sea as soon as the wave was past, they
saved them till the wind ceased.
In the bay where they rode, after the tempest was passed, they went
on shore, and with mattocks,which they had, they digged certain pits,
which grew full of fresh water, where they filled all the casks thcy had.
The next day they departed thence, and sailed two days, and entered into a
creek like unto a pool, fenced from the south wind, which then did blow,
and was against them; and there they stayed four days, not being able to
get out; and when the sea was calm they rowed out. They sailed that day,
and towards evening the wind grew so strong that it drove them on the
shore, and they were sorry that they had put forth from the former harbor;
for as soon as night approached, a storm began to rise in the sea, and the
wind still waxed more violent with a tempest. The brigantines lost one
another. Two of them, which bare more into the sea, entered into an arm
of the sea, which pierced into the land two leagues be yond the place
where the others were that night. The five which stayed behind, being
always a league and half a league the one from the other, met together,
without any knowledge the one of the other, in a wild road, where the wind
and the waves drove them on shore; for their anchors did straighten and
came home, and they could not use their oars, putting seven or eight men
to every one, which rowed to seaward; and all the rest leaped into the
water, and when the wave was passed that drave the brigantine on shore,
they thrust it again into the sea with all the diligence and might that
they had. Others, while another wave was incoming, with bowls laved out
the water that came in overboard. While they were in this tempest, in
great fear of being cast away in that place, from midnight forward they
endured an intolerable torment of an infinite swarm of mosquitoes which
fell upon them, which as soon as they had stung the flesh, it so
infected it, as though they had been venomous.
In the morning the sea was
assuaged and the wind slacked, but not the mosquitoes; for the sails,
which were white, seemed black with them in the morning. Those which
rowed, unless others kept them away, were not able to row. Having passed
the fear and danger of the storm, beholding the deformities of their
faces, and the blows which they gave themselves to drive them away, one of
them laughed at another. They met all together in the creek where the two
brigantines were which outwent their fellows. There was found a scum
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 brigantines. They rested two days, and then
eftsoons proceeded on their voyage. They sailed two days more, and landed
in a bay or arm of the sea, where they stayed two days. The same day that
they went from thence six 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
wind, 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 the force
of oars, and for all that made very little way, with great labor, in two
days, and went under the lee of a small island into an arm of the sea,
which compassed it about. While they were there, there fell out such
weather, that they gave God many thanks that they found out such an
harbor. There was great store of fish in that place, which they took with
nets, which they had, and hooks. Here a man cast an hook and a line into
the sea, and tied the end of it to his arm, and a fish caught it, and drew
him into the water unto the neck; and it pleased God that he remembered
himself of a knife that he had, and cut the line with it. There they abode
fourteen days; and at the end of them it pleased God to send them fair
weather, for which, with great devotion, they appointed a procession, and
went in procession along the strand, be seeching God to bring them to a
land where they might serve him in better sort.
In all the coast wheresoever they digged they found fresh water;
there they filled their vessels, and the procession being ended, embarked
themselves, and going always in sight of the shore they sailed six days.
John Danusco said that it would do well to bear out to seaward; for he
had seen the sea- card, and remembered that from Rio de las Palmas
forward, the coast did run from north to south, and thitherto they had run
from east to west, and in his opinion, by his reckoning, Rio de las Palmas
could not be far off from where they
were. That same night they put to sea, and in the morning they saw palm
leaves floating, and the coast which ran north and south. From midday
forward they saw great mountains, which until then they had not seen; for
from this place to Puerto de Spiritu Santo, where they first landed in
Florida, was a very plain and low country; and therefore it cannot be
descried, unless a man comes very near it. By that which they saw, they
thought they had overshot Rio de las Palmas that night, which is sixty
leagues from the river Panuco, which is in Nueva España. They assembled
all together, and some said it was not good to sail by night, lest they
should overshoot the river of Panuco; and others said, it was not well to
lose time while it was favorable, and that it could not be so near that
they should pass it that night; and they agreed to take away half the
sails, and so sail all night. Two of the brigantines, which sailed that
night with all their sails, by break 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 captain. A quarter of a league
before they came at it, and before they did see it, they saw the water
muddy, and knew it to be fresh water; and coming right against the river,
they saw where it entered into the sea, that the water broke upon a shoal.
And because there was no man there that knew it, they were in doubt
whether they should go in, or go along; and they resolved to go in; and
before they came into the current, they went close to the shore, and
entered into the port. And as soon as they were come in, they saw Indian
men and women apparcled like Spaniards, whom they asked in what country
they were? They answered in Spanish, that it was the river of Panuco,
and that the town of the Christians was fifteen leagues up within the
land. The joy that all of them received upon this news cannot
sufficiently be expressed; for it seemed unto them that at that instant
they were born 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 thanks. Those which came after, as soon
as they saw Calderan come to an anchor with his brigantine in the river,
presently went thither, and came into the haven. The other two
brigantines which had overshot the place, put to sea to return back to
seek the rest, and could not do it, bccause the wind was contrary and the
sea grown; they were afraid of being cast away, and recovering the shore
they cast anchor. While they rode there a storm arose, and seeing that
they could not abide there, much less
endure at sea, they resolved to run on shore; and as the brigantines were
but small, so did they draw but little water; and where they were it was a
sandy coast. By which occasion the force of their sails drove 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
grief in their hearts, for they knew not what was become of their fellows,
nor in what country they were, and feared it was a country of Indian
enemies. They landed two leagues below the port; and when they saw
themselves out of the danger of the sea, every one took of that which he
had, as much as he could carry on his back, and they traveled up into the
country, and found Indians, which told them where their fellows were, and
gave them good entertainment; wherewith their sadness was turned into joy,
and they thanked God most humbly for their deliverance out of so many
dangers.
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, was
fifty-two days. They came into the river of Panuco the tenth of
September, 1543. They went up the river with their brigantines. They
traveled four days; 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 grcat labor; 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 seen, they left the brigantines with the mariners, and
went by land to Panuco. All of them were apparcled in deers' skins tanned
and dyed black, to wit, coats, hose, and shoes. When they came to Panuco,
presently they went to the church to pray and give God thanks that so
miraculously had saved them. The townsmen which before were advertised by
the Indians, and knew of their arrival, carried some of them to their
houses, and entertained them whom they knew and had acquaintance of, or
because they were their countrymen. The Alcalde Mayor took the Governor
home to his house: and commanded all the rest, as soon as they came, to be
lodged six and six and ten and ten, according to the ability of every
townsman. And all of them were provided for by their hosts of many hens,
and bread of maize, and fruits of the country, which are such as be in the
Isle of Cuba, whereof before I have spoken. The town of Panuco may
contain about seventy 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
poor country, 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 five hundred crowns rent a year, and that is in cotton cloths,
hens, and maize, which the Indians their servants do 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 arrived there, that seeing that they were employed in his
majesty's service he would take some order to provide for them. Whereat
the Viceroy, and all the inhabitants of Mexico wondered; for they thought
they were miscarried because they had traveled so far within the main land
of Florida, and bad no news of them for so long a time: and it seemed a
wonderful thing unto them, how they could save themselves so long among
infidels, without any fort, wherein they might fortify themselves, and
without any other succor at all. Presently the Viceroy sent a warrant
wherein he commanded, that whithersoever they sent they should give them
victuals, and as many Indians for their carriages as they needed: and
where they would not furnish them, they might take those things that were
necessary perforce without incurring any danger of law. This warrant was
so readily obeyed that by the way before they came to the towns they came
to receive them with hens and victuals.
From Panuco to the great city of Temistitan, Mexico, is sixty
leagues; and other sixty from Panuco to the port de Vera Cruz, where
they take shipping for Spain, and those that come from Spain do land to go
for Nueva España. These three towns stand in a triangle: to wit, Vera
Cruz to the south, Panuco to the north, and Mexico to the west sixty
leagues asunder. The country is so inhabited with Indians that from town
to town those which are farthest are but a league and half a league
asunder. Some of them that came from Florida stayed a month in Panuco to
rest themselves, others fifteen days, and every one as long as he listed:
for there was none that showed a sour countenance to his guests, but
rather gave them anything that they had, and seemed to be grieved when
they took their leave. Which was to be believed; for the victuals which
the Indians do pay them for tribute, are more than they can spend: and in
that town is no Commerce; and there dwelt but few Spaniards there, and
they were
glad of their company. The Alcalde Mayor divided all the Emperor's
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 mail
left were glad men; for they had a horse for one shirt of mail. Some
horsed themselves; and such as could not (which were the greatest part)
took their journey on foot: in which they were well received of the
Indians that were in the towns, and better served than they could have
been in their own houses, though they had been well to live. For if they
asked one hen of an Indian, they brought them four: and if they asked any
of the country fruit though it were a league off, they ran presently for
it. And if any Christian found himself evil at ease, they carried him in
a chair from one town to another. In whatsoever town 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 bear burdens of such things as they had,
and such as were needful to carry them that were sick. The Viceroy sent a
Portuguese twenty leagues from Mexico with great store of sugar, raisins
of the sun, conserves, and other things fit for sick folks, for such as
had need of them: and had given order to clothe them all at the Emperor's
charge. And their approach being known by the citizens of Mexico, they
went out of the town to receive them: and with great courtesy, requesting
them in favor to come to their houses, every one carried such as he met
home with him, and clothed them every one the best they could: so that he
that had the meanest apparel, it cost about thirty ducats. As many as
were willing to come to the Viceroy's house he commanded to be appareled,
and such as were persons of quality sate at his table: and there was a
table in his house for as in any of the meaner sort as would come to it:
and he was presently informed who every one was, to show him the courtesy
that he deserved. Some of the conquerors did set both gentlemen and
clowns at their own table, and many times made the servant sit cheek by
cheek by his master: and chiefiy the officers and men of base condition
did so: for those which had better education did inquire 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 think themselves the worse, to
take that which they gave them: for they had been in the like case, and
had been relieved of others, and that this was the custom of that country.
God reward them all: and God grant that those which it pleased him to
deliver out of Florida, and
to bring again into Christendom, may serve him: and into those that died
in that country, and unto all that believe in Him and confess his holy
faith, God for his mercy's sake grant the kingdom of heaven. Amen.
From the Port de Spiritu Santo, where they landed when they entered
into Florida, to the Province of Ocute, which may be 400 leagues, little
more or less, is a very plain country, and has many lakes and thick woods,
and in some places they are of wild pine-trees; and is a weak soil. There
is in it neither mountain nor hill. The country of Ocute is more fat and
fruitful; it has thinner woods, and very goodly meadows upon the rivers.
From Ocute to Cutifachiqui may be 130 leagues: 80 leagues thereof are
desert, and have many groves of wild pine trees. Through the wilderness
great rivers do pass. From Cutifachiqui to Xuala, may be 250 leagues: it
is all an hilly country. Cutifachiqui and Xuala stand both in plain
ground, high, and have goodly meadows on the rivers. From thence forward
to Chiaha, Coça, and Tascaluça, is plain ground, dry and fat, and very
plentiful of maize. From Xuala to Tascaluça may be 250 leagues. From
Tascaluça to Rio Grande, or the Great River, may be 300 leagues: the
country is low, and full of lakes. From Rio Grande forward, the country
is higher and more champaign, and best peopled of all the land of Florida.
And along this river from Aquixo to Pacaha, and Coligoa, are 150 leagues:
the country is plain, and the woods thin, and in some places champaign,
very fruitful and pleasant. From Coligoa to Autiamque are 250 leagues of
hilly country. From Autiamque to Aguacay, may be 230 leagues of plain
ground. From Aguacay to the river of Daycao 120 leagues, all hilly
country.
From the Port de Spiritu Santo unto Apalache, they traveled 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 Tascaluca,
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: from Tulla to Autiamque from north to south, to the
province of Guachoya and Daycao.
The bread which they ate in all the land
of Florida is of maize, which is like coarse millet. And this maize is
common in all the islands, and from the Antilles forward. There are also
in Florida great store of walnuts, plums, mulberries, and grapes. They
sow and gather their maize every one their several crop. The fruits are
common to all, for they grow abroad in the open fields in great abundance,
without
out any need of planting or dressing. Where there be mountains, there be
chestnuts; they are somewhat smaller than the chestnuts of Spain. From
Rio Grande westward, the walnuts differ from those that grow more
eastward; for they are soft, and like unto acorns; and those which grow
from Rio Grande to Puerto del Spiritu Santo for the most part are hard;
and the trees and walnuts in show like those of Spain. There is a fruit
through all the country which groweth on a plant like Ligoacan, which the
Indians do plant. The fruit is like unto Peares Riall; it has a very
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 has a very good taste. The plums are of two kinds, red and
gray, of the making and bigness of nuts, and have three or four stones in
them. These are better than all the plums of Spain, and they make far
better prunes of them. In the grapes there is only want of dressing; for
though they be big, they have a great kernel. All other fruits are very
perfect, and less hurtful than those of Spain.
There are in Florida many bears and lions, wolves, deer, dogs, cats,
martens, and conies. There be many wild hens as big as turkeys, partridges
small, like those of Africa, cranes, ducks, pigeons, thrushes, and
sparrows. There are certain black birds bigger than sparrows, and lesser
than stares. There are goshawks, falcons, gerfalcons, and all fowls of
prey that are in Spain.
The Indians are well proportioned. Those of the plain countries are
taller of body, and better shaped, than those of the mountains. Those of
the inland have greater store of maize, and commodities of the country,
than those that dwell upon the sea-coast. The country along the sea-coast
is barren and poor, and the pcople 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
España from north to south. It is a gentle coast, but it hath many
shoals, and great shelves of sand.
Deo gratias.
Notes
-
Elvas. Elvas is a city in Portugal. [French's
note]. Hometown of the author, Fidalgo D'Elvas.
-
Cabeça de Vaca.
Cabeça de Vaca was the Governor of the River of Plate.
[French's note].
-
Batatas. The Cassavi root.
[French's note].
-
Pasca de Spirito Santo.
Tampa Bay, on the west side of Florida.
[French's note].
-
Cacique. Chief.
-
Thirty leagues from thence.
From Spirito Santo or Tampa Bay.
[French's note].
-
32° 30'.
About as far north as Charleston, S. C.
-
From thence. Twelve days from St. Helena, and Coste seven days' journey from
Chiaha.
[French's note].
-
Chisca. Chisca is directly north from Cutifachiqui, which is within two
days of St. Helena.
[French's note].
-
Rio Grande. Rio Grande, or Rio de Espiritu Santo.
[French's note].
Source
D'Elvas, Fidalgo.
"A Narrative of the Expedition of Hernando de Soto
into Florida, by a Gentleman of Elvas." Trans. Richard Hackluyt.
Historical Collections of Louisiana, Embracing Translations of
Many Rare and Valuable Documents Relating to the Natural, Civil
and Political History of That State. Ed. B. F. French. Vol. II.
Philadelphia: Daniels and Smith, 1850. 111-220. Google Books.
Web. 24 Sept. 2012.
<http://
books. google. com/ books?id= A3cOAAAAIAAJ>.
D'Elvas, Fidalgo. Relaçam
verdadeira dos trabalhos q[ue] ho gouernador
do[m] Ferna[n]do d[e] Souto [e] certos fidalgos
portugueses passarom no d[e]scobrime[n]to da prouincia da Frolida. Evora: Andree
de Burgos, 1557. Internet Archive. Web. 24 Sept. 2012.
<http:// archive.org/ details/
relaamver dadei00fida>.
Google
Books Version.
Anthology of Louisiana
Literature