summon Atabare and Guaçani, the principal instigators of the war. These
chiefs had a large number of people with them who were prepared for
fighting, and would not listen to the interpreters when they summoned
them to make peace. They even defied the friendly Indians, robbed and
caused them much injury. While protecting our allies, a number of
skirmishes took place, and some Christians were wounded. They were sent
to Ascension to be healed, but four or five died of their wounds. It was
their own fault, and the consequence of the excesses they committed, for
the wounds were light, and would not have caused death. One of them
died miserably from a scratch of an arrow on his nose. These arrows
are rubbed with poisonous herbs, and when those wounded by them commit
excesses with women, they die. In general, however, the herbs of this
country are not dangerous.
The governor wrote again to Domingo de Irala, urging him to renew
friendly relations with the Indians by every means in his power, because
it was advantageous for His Majesty's service. Indeed, as long as
the country was disturbed by war, surprises, revolts, murders, and
robberies, troubles would never cease. By bringing about a peace, he
wrote, they would be doing their duty towards God and the king. At the
same time he sent a quantity of provisions for gratuitous distribution
among the Indians who had served, adding all that he could think of to
strengthen peace and concord.
Under these circumstances Domingo de Irala proceeded to make peace. He
found the enemy much harassed and fatigued by the war they had been
carrying on with the Spaniards, and desirous of putting an end to it.
They were disposed to come to terms with our Indian allies and renew
their allegiance to the king. Finally, Guaçani and Atabare, and many
other chiefs and people, accepted the conditions offered them, and
came before the governor to ratify the peace. He told them that in
discontinuing hostilities they had done their duty, that he forgave them
their past disobedience, and that if they rebelled again they would be
punished without mercy. After this he gave them presents, and dismissed
them very happy and contented. Seeing now that the country was at peace,
and the natives living in concord, the governor ordered them to hasten
bringing in the provisions and other necessaries, in order to equip ten
vessels he was preparing for the discovery of the country by the port of
Los Reyes, in accordance with the resolution come to. In a few days the
natives brought over 3,000 quintals of manioc flour and maize, and with
these he completed loading the ships, paying for everything to the
satisfaction of the Indians. He also furnished the Spaniards with arms
and other necessaries.
CHAPTER THE FORTY-THIRD.
_How the friars took to flight._
NOW when the brigantines were on the point of sailing, and everything
was ready for the voyage of exploration as recommended by the council,
the friars Bernaldo de Armenta and Alonso Lebron his companion, were
silently and secretly induced to proceed to the coast of Brazil by the
route explored by the governor, bearing certain letters for His Majesty,
acquainting him with the bad use the governor was making of the powers
and authority graciously conferred upon him. This was done out of
jealousy and hatred towards the governor, and in order to hinder his
exploration and discovery of the country, so that his service to
the king might be of no effect. The motive of their conduct was as
follows: When he arrived in that country the governor found everything
disorganised, the Christians in poor circumstances and without arms,
and the inhabitants complaining of the extortionate behaviour of the
officers, who, to advance their personal interests, had most unjustly
levied tribute and a new tax, contrary to the custom of Spain and the
Indies, to which they gave the name of _quinto_, as we have already
stated in the course of this narrative. But Alvar Nuñez not suffering
them to continue these exactions, they opposed his discovery, and it was
on this account that the monks were induced by them to depart. These
friars caused the people to swear on the crucifix that they would not
divulge their departure for Brazil. But when the Indian chiefs had
notice of it they came before the governor, and demanded the restitution
of their daughters, whom they had given up to the monks to be taught
the Christian religion, as it had reached their ears that the monks were
intending to go to the coast of Brazil and carry their daughters along
with them; and as they understood that all those who went thither never
returned alive, and that the girls did not wish to go, and would have
run away were it not that the friars kept them in custody. When the
governor heard this the monks had already set out on their journey, so
he sent after them, and they were overtaken two leagues from the city
and obliged to return. The girls they were carrying off were thirty-five
in number, besides other Christian converts, all of whom were brought
back. This caused a great tumult among the people, as well Spaniards as
Indians, and great complaint was made by the Indians at the abduction of
their daughters. They also brought before the governor an Indian named
Domingo from the coast of Brazil, a person of great importance in His
Majesty's service. Then Cabeza de Vaca ordered the depositions against
the monks and officers to be taken, and proceedings were begun against
them for the crime they had committed against His Majesty. In order that
he might not be detained in his voyage of exploration, he deputed the
cause to a judge, and bade him investigate the whole matter as to the
misdeeds of the accused persons and the charges brought against them.
Two of them he took with him on bail, leaving the others in prison in
the city, suspended from office till such time as His Majesty should
ordain as to what should further be done in the matter.
CHAPTER THE FORTY-FOURTH.
_How the governor took four hundred men with him on his voyage of
discovery._
ALL preparations being now completed for the voyage of discovery, and
the ten brigantines having been laden with provisions, the governor
selected 400 arquebusiers and archers to accompany him on that journey.
Half of these embarked on the brigantines, the others, together with
twelve horsemen, went by land along the river bank as far as the port
of Guayviaño, keeping constantly among settlements of the friendly
Guaranís, this being the best route. The horses were taken on the
vessels, but in order that they should not consume the provisions on
board, and might feed themselves on shore, they were sent eight days
beforehand. The factor, Pedro Dorantes, and the accountant, Philip de
Caceres, went with them. Eight days afterwards the governor embarked,
having left as his lieutenant Juan de Salazar de Espinosa, whom he
charged to administer the province, and govern peacefully and justly
in the name of the king. Two hundred soldiers--arquebusiers and
archers--and six horsemen remained behind to protect and defend the
city. On the day of Our Lady of September,[338] the church upon which
Cabeza de Vaca had himself worked ever since its destruction by fire was
handsomely finished. He set out from Ascension with twenty brigantines
and 120 canoes. In these were 1,200 Indian warriors, whose strange
appearance, armed with bows and arrows, produced a wonderful effect, in
their war paint adorned with plumes and feathers, and wearing on their
brows plates of metal, so that when the sun shone they glittered
marvellously. The Indians said they wore these plates in order that they
might so glitter and dazzle the eyes of the enemy; and they went forth
with loud cries and shouts, all as merry as possible. When the governor
departed from the city he left word with Captain Salazar to use every
effort to complete the caravel, which he had ordered to be built, and
make it ready against his return, so that he might then send his report
to Spain of all that had happened in his voyage of exploration. Having
made all the necessary dispositions, and the weather being favourable,
he reached the port of Tapua,[339] where he was received by the chiefs.
These he told that he was about to undertake a voyage of discovery of
that land; he therefore begged them always to live in peace and concord
with their neighbours. If they obeyed him they would always be as
well, and better, treated than heretofore, and he gave presents to be
distributed among them, their sons and relatives, and left them well
pleased and satisfied.
[338] This is the feast of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, on the
8th of September.
[339] Cf. _supra_, p. 137.
CHAPTER THE FORTY-FIFTH.
_How the governor left part of the provisions he had brought with
him._
BECAUSE the vessels were so heavily laden with provisions that they
could not safely carry them, the governor left in Tapuá more than 200
quintals, and then sailed further, and after a prosperous voyage arrived
at the port called by the Indians _Inriquizava_,[340] arriving there at
one o'clock in the night. Here he remained three days in order to open
intercourse with the natives, who came to see him in large numbers,
bringing provisions, which were distributed among the Spaniards, as well
as among the friendly Guaranís. All these people were received with
kindness by the governor, because they had always been our good friends.
He gave presents to the chiefs, told them he was about to discover the
country, which would be a good and profitable thing for all of them, and
meanwhile he begged them to keep peace with the Spaniards that remained
in the city of Ascension. This they promised him they would do, and so
having left them well pleased and satisfied, he proceeded on his voyage
up the river.
[340] Yeruquihaba. Cf. _supra_, p. 58.
CHAPTER THE FORTY-SIXTH.
_How he stopped to speak with the natives of another port and land._
ON the 12th of that month he reached another port, called _Itaqui_,
where he moored his brigantines, in order to hold intercourse with the
natives, who are Guaranís and vassals of the king. That day a large
number of Indians, accompanied by their chiefs, came laden with
provisions, whom the governor informed, as he had done the others, of
his intended voyage of exploration. These also he exhorted to keep peace
with the Spanish Christians at Ascension, and besides paying them for
the provisions they brought, he distributed presents among the chiefs
and their relatives, leaving them well satisfied. He stayed here two
days and then sailed farther, passing by a second port, Itaqui, and
afterwards moored at the port of Guaçani--the chief who revolted with
Atabare in the war I have spoken of, but who was now living in peace and
amity with the Spaniards and their allies. As soon as these chiefs knew
of the arrival of the governor they made haste to come and see him, whom
he received very lovingly, because they had kept the peace, and all
their people were joyous and confident because these chiefs, their
masters, having entered into friendly relations with the Christians, all
the country was at peace and in tranquillity. The following day they
came again, and he showed them much affection, and gave them and their
relatives many presents, besides paying for all the provisions they
brought, so that they remained well satisfied. And because they were the
principal chiefs of those natives, the governor spoke to them in the
kindest way, and recommended them to keep peace in all that land, and
be diligent in serving and visiting the Spaniards at Ascension, obeying
the orders of His Majesty. They answered, that since they had made
peace they were determined to keep it, as he would see. In proof of
their obedience, Atabare offered to accompany them, being a man well
experienced in warfare, and Guaçani said he would remain at home and see
that peace was not broken. The governor thought well of all this, and
liking the offer made by Atabare, he deemed it prudent to accept it,
because if this chief went with him there would be additional security
for the observance of peace. He therefore agreed to his coming, and gave
him richer presents than he had ever done before, for it was certain
that by keeping this chief satisfied the whole country would remain
at peace, and nobody would dare to raise a rebellion. So the governor
earnestly recommended the Christians to the good offices of Guaçani, who
promised to accomplish all he had undertaken. The governor remained four
days at this place, conferring with those chiefs and their people, and
giving them presents.
When they were about to leave this port, the horse of the factor Pedro
Dorantes died, so he told the governor he did not feel disposed to
continue in the discovery and conquest of that province without a horse,
and begged that he might be allowed to return to the city of Ascension,
leaving as his deputy his son, Pedro Dorantes, to serve in the office of
factor. This youth was admitted to the said office in the place of his
father and allowed to accompany the expedition.
Atabare, the Indian chief, set out in company with the governor,
together with thirty relatives and dependents, in three canoes. Sailing
from the port of Guaçani, the expedition navigated up the Rio
Paraguai, and on Friday, the 24th of September, arrived at the port of
Ipaneme,[341] where the governor ordered the brigantines to be moored
in order to communicate with the Indians who were vassals of the king,
as well as because he had heard that among those Indians there was a
Guaraní who had lived for a long while in captivity with the Payaguás
and knew their language, their country, and villages. He wished to take
him with him as interpreter to the Payaguás, who had slain Juan de
Ayolas and other Christians, and obtain in a peaceful way the gold and
silver of which they had robbed that leader.
[341] River Ipané.
As soon as he arrived at the port all the natives came towards him, much
pleased and laden with provisions. The governor received them kindly and
gave orders that they should be paid for all they brought. To the chiefs
he gave many presents, and having spoken and dealt with them, he gave
them to understand the necessity he was in of having that Indian as
interpreter, so as to bring about friendly relations with the Payaguás,
and to guide his army by the best route to the settlements of the
interior. Then these Indians immediately sent in search of him, to find
him out with the least possible delay.
CHAPTER THE FORTY-SEVENTH.
_How he sent for an interpreter to treat with the Payaguás._
THREE days after the natives of Ipaneme had sent in search of the Indian
interpreter, he arrived at the port where the governor was staying, and
offered to accompany him on his expedition and show him the country of
the Payaguás. Then the governor set sail from that port and went further
up the river Paraguai, and in four days' time arrived at the port of
Guayviaño, which is the extreme point occupied by the Guaranís. Here he
ordered his vessels to be moored, in order that he might speak with the
natives, who came to see him with their chiefs, laden with provisions,
and the governor received them very well, and treated them and their
chiefs in the same gracious manner. These natives informed him that
his cavalry were marching through the country, and had already passed
through some of their settlements, where they had been well received
and provisioned, and that they had been directed on the road to
Itabitan,[342] where they intended to await the arrival of the
brigantines. As soon as he heard these tidings the governor ordered
his flotilla to set sail, and departed from the port of Guayviaño, and,
having a fair wind, went on navigating up the river. That same day, at
nine o'clock in the morning, he reached the port of Itabitan, where he
found his cavalry arrived in good condition. They informed him that
they had travelled through the country, keeping on good terms with the
inhabitants, to whom they had distributed the gifts they had taken with
them.
[342] Itapuan.
CHAPTER THE FORTY-EIGHTH.
_How the horses were embarked in the port._
CABEZA DE VACA remained two days in the port of Itabitan, during which
time the horses were embarked and everything concerning the armada
arranged in orderly fashion. The country of the Payaguás being now near
at hand, he ordered that the Indian interpreter from Ipaneme should be
taken on board the leading vessel and give directions as to what had to
be done. He then set sail with a fair wind from that port. In order
to protect the Guaranís who were with him from the attacks of the
Payaguás, he ordered the former to unite their canoes in one body and
keep close to the brigantines, and in this way pursue their voyage in
good order. At night he directed that all the flotilla should moor
alongside the bank, he himself sleeping on shore with a strong guard,
the canoes of the Guaranís being attached to the brigantines. The
Spaniards and Indians occupied a full league of land along the river,
and their numerous camp-fires presented a very pretty sight. During all
this navigation the governor provided food for all the people, Spaniards
and Guaranís, and supplied them well with everything--fish in great
abundance and game, so that they had more than they could eat. In this
river there is a kind of wild pig that is constantly in the water,
larger than ours in Spain; these animals are aquatic in their habits,
remaining on land at night, while in the daytime they are always in the
water, and when they see a person they plunge into the river and sink to
the bottom, remaining a long time under water.[343] When they reappear
on the surface of the water they are at an arrow's flight from the place
where they dived. In the chase of this pig not less than six canoes take
part, for, when the animal dives, three go up the river and three go
down. The hunters have their bows ready, and, as the animal comes to the
surface, they shoot three or four arrows with great rapidity at them
before they dive again, and so they pursue them till at length they
float on the surface dead of their wounds. Their flesh is considered
good to eat by the Spaniards, and there is plenty of it, many parts of
this river abounding with these pigs. Our people were so strong and
lusty on this voyage that they looked as though they had just arrived
from Spain. The horses, too, were in good condition; they were taken on
shore several times to hunt deer, tapirs, wild boar, many otters, and
other animals.
[343] This amphibious animal is called _capibara_, i.e., _capincho_,
or water-hog.
CHAPTER THE FORTY-NINTH.
_How Juan de Ayolas entered the port where he and his Christians
were killed._
ON the 12th October the governor arrived at the port of Candelaria,
and the country of the Payaguás. It was here that Captain Juan de
Ayolas entered with his Spaniards, and hither he returned after his
exploration, expecting to find Domingo de Irala, whom he had left in
charge of the brigantines, which he had taken with him. Here he remained
four months awaiting their arrival, during which time he and his men
suffered terribly from hunger. At length the Payaguás, having learned
of his weak condition and want of arms, began treating him with
familiarity, and offered to receive him and his men into their houses
and support them. Then they suddenly fell upon them as they were
crossing some marshes full of rushes; every Christian was seized by two
Indians armed with poles who struck them several blows on the head, and
so they slew Captain Juan de Ayolas and eighty Spaniards, being all that
remained of the one hundred and fifty who had gone on that expedition.
The blame of their death rests with him who had been left in charge of
the brigantines, and who, instead of awaiting their return, abandoned
them to their fate, and descended the river to please himself. Had Juan
de Ayolas found the brigantines there when he returned, he would have
embarked and escaped massacre at the hands of these Indians. But Domingo
de Irala acted with bad faith, to the intent that Juan de Ayolas might
be slain, and that he might raise a revolt in the land against God and
the king. This he afterwards succeeded in, and, to the present day, he
is actually in revolt, having destroyed and laid waste all that land,
and for twelve years he continues to govern it tyrannically.[344]
[344] This is reckoned from the end of Alvar Nuñez's government, 1543,
to the date of publication of this work in Valladolid, 1555.
The pilots observed here to obtain the elevation of the pole, and found
the latitude of that port to be in twenty-one degrees less one-third
of a degree.[345] Having arrived here, the armada was assembled before
opening communications with the Payaguás and ascertaining where their
settlements were situated. The following morning, at eight o'clock,
seven Payaguás appeared on the bank of the river, and the governor
ordered an equal number of Spaniards, together with the interpreter
(who proved very useful), to treat with them, as they were desirous of
speaking with them, and of coming to a peaceful arrangement, the captain
of the expedition having no other object but that of peace. Having
conversed a little while, the Indians asked if these Christians, who had
now arrived in the brigantines, were the same as those who formerly
went about the country. The Spaniards, who had been warned beforehand,
answered that they were not the same as those others, but were newly
arrived in the country. Upon this, one of the Payaguás came among the
Christians, and was immediately brought before the governor. He asked
him, through the interpreter, by whose order he had come. The man
answered that his chief, having learned of the arrival of the Spaniards,
had sent him to inquire if it were true they were the same people as
those who went formerly in the country, and to say that his chief wished
to be the friend of the governor, and that all that had been taken from
Juan de Ayolas and from the Christians was kept together, and placed in
security ready to be restored to the chief of the Christians, in order
that peace might be made with them, and to obtain pardon for the murder
of Ayolas and the other Christians who had been slain in war. The
governor then asked him how much gold and silver they had taken from
Juan de Ayolas and from the Christians, and he showed, by signs, that
it would amount to sixty-six loads such as the Chanés Indians are
accustomed to carry, and that it was all in plates, bracelets, crowns,
and axes; also that there were small vases of gold and silver. Alvar
Nuñez charged that Indian, through the interpreter, to tell his chief
that His Majesty had sent him to that land to establish peace with them
and other tribes that would accept it, and that the past wars would be
forgiven. He added that if his chief sought friendship, and would be
willing to restore all that had been taken from the Spaniards, he
should come in person and speak with him (the governor), as he was very
desirous of seeing him, and would treat him well, and receive him as a
vassal of the king. In token of peace, he sent him several presents, and
gave other things as well to the Indian himself, and asked him when he
would return with his chief.
[345] This is an error of one and two-thirds of a degree. The exact
latitude of _Candelaria_ was 19 degrees, where now is Corumbá.
This chief, though a fisherman, is lord of this miserable people (for
all are fishermen); he is a very grave man, feared and respected by his
people, and, if anyone offend him and make him angry, he takes a bow,
and shoots two or three arrows into him. If the man be killed, he sends
for the wife (if there be one), and gives her a bead to appease her
wrath at the murder of her husband. If he have no bead to give her,
then a couple of feathers. When this chief wishes to spit, one that is
nearest to him joins his hands together so that he should spit into
them. These, and such like extravagances, are practised by this chief.
All along the river there is no Indian that owns such things as he does.
The interpreter promised that he and his chief would be there again the
next morning, and so he left the governor in expectation.
CHAPTER THE FIFTIETH.
_How the interpreter and those who had promised to come failed to
do so._