This worke, right Honourable, right Worshipfull, and the rest, though

small in shew, yet great in substance, doth yeeld much light to our

enterprise now on foot: whether you desire to know the present and future

commodities of our countrie; or the qualities and conditions of the

Inhabitants, or what course is best to be taken with them.

(M592) Touching the commodities, besides the generall report of Cabeça de

Vaca to Charles the Emperour (who first trauelled through a great part of

the Inland of Florida, next adioyning vpon our Virginia) That Florida was

the richest countrie of the world; and that after hee had found clothes

made of cotton wooll, he saw gold and siluer, and stones of great value: I

referre you first to the rich mines of gold reported to be in the prouince

of Yupaha, and described in the twelfth Chapter of this Treatise to come

within our limits: And againe, to the copper hatchets found in

Cutifachiqui, standing vpon the Riuer of Santa Helena, which were said to

haue a mixture of gold. (M593) It seemeth also that the last Chronicler of

the West Indies, Antonio de Herrera,(124) speaking of the foresaid Riuer

of Santa Helena, which standeth in 32. degrees and an halfe, alludeth to

the prouince of Yupaha, in these words: Y el oro, y plata, que hailaron,

no era de aquella tierra, sino de 60. leguas, adentro al norte, de los

pueblos dichos Otapales y Olagatanos, adonde se intiende, que ay minas de

oro, plata, y cobre. That is to say, that the gold and siluer which they

found, was not of that countrie (of Santa Helena) but 60. leagues distant

toward the North, of the townes called Otapales and Olagatanos, where we

vnderstand that there are mines of gold, siluer, and copper. By which

reckoning these rich mines are in the latitude of 35. degrees and an

halfe. (M594) I desire you likewise to take knowledge of the famous golden

prouince of Chisca, stretching further to the North, whereof the Cacique

of Coste gaue notice to Ferdinando de Soto in the towne of Chiaha,

affirming, that there were mines of copper, and of another mettall of the

same colour, saue that it was finer, and of a farre more perfect lustre,

and farre better in sight, and that they vsed it not so much, because it

was softer. And the selfsame thing was before told the Gouernour in

Cutifachiqui: who sent two Christians from Chiaha with certaine Indians

which knew the countrie of Chisca, and the language thereof, to view it,

and to make report of that which they should find. (M595) We likewise

reade not long after, that the Gouernour set forward to seeke a prouince

called Pacaha, which hee was informed to bee neere vnto Chisca where the

Indians told him, that there was gold. (M596) And in another place hee

saith: That from Pacaha hee sent thirtie horsemen and fiftie footmen to

the prouince of Caluça, to see if from thence he might trauell to Chisca,

where the Indians said, there was a worke of gold and copper. So that here

is fours times mention, and that in sundrie places, of the rich and famous

golden mines of Chisca, and that they lie beyond the mountaines toward the

North, ouer which they were not able to trauell for the roughnes thereof.

But what neede I to stand vpon forren testimonies, since Master Thomas

Heriot, a man of much iudgement in these causes, signified vnto you all,

at your late solemne meeting at the house of the right honourable the

Earle of Exeter, how to the Southwest of our old fort in Virginia, the

Indians often informed him, that there was a great melting of red mettall,

reporting the manner in working of the same. Besides, our owne Indians

haue lately reuealed either this or another rich mine of copper or gold in

a towne called Ritanoe, neere certaine mountaines lying West of Roanoac.

(M597) Another very gainfull commoditie is, the huge quantitie of

excellent perles, and little babies and birds made of them; that were

found in Cutifachiqui. The abundance whereof is reported to be such, that

if they would haue searched diuers graues in townes thereabout, they might

haue laded many of their horses. Neither are the Turkie stones and cotton

wooll found at Guasco to be forgotten, nor passed ouer in silence.

But that, which I make no small account of, is, the multitude of Oxen,

which, from the beginning of the 16. to the end of the 26. Chapter, are

nine seuerall times made mention of, and that along from Chiaha, Coste,

Pacaha, Coligoa, and Tulla, still toward the North, to wit, toward vs,

there was such store of them, that they could keepe no corne for them: and

that the Indians liued vpon their flesh. The haire of these Oxen is

likewise said to be like a soft wooll, betweene the course and fine wooll

of sheepe: and that they vse them for couerlets, because they are very

soft and woolled like sheep: and not so onely, but they make bootes,

shooes, targets and other things necessarie of the same. Besides the

former benefits, their young ones may be framed to the yoke, for carting

and tillage of our ground. And I am in good hope, that ere it be long we

shall haue notice of their being neerer vs, by that which I reade in the

Italian relation of Cabeça de Vaca, the first finder of them; which

writeth, That they spread themselues within the countrie aboue foure

hundred leagues. Moreouer, Vasquez de Coronado, and long after him,

Antonio de Espejo (whose voiages are at large in my third volume)

trauelled many leagues among these herds of Oxen, and found them from 33.

degrees ranging very farre to the North and Northeast.

A fourth chiefe commoditie wee may account to be the great number of

Mulberrie trees, apt to feede Silke-wormes to make silke: whereof there

was such plentie in many places, that, though they found some hempe in the

countrie, the Spaniards made ropes of the barks of them for their

brigandines, when they were to put to sea for Noua Hispania.

A fifth is the excellent and perfect colours, as blacke, white, greene,

yellow, and red, and the materials to dye withall, so often spoken of in

this discourse: among which I haue some hope to bring you to the knowledge

of the rich graine of Cochonillio, so much esteemed, and of so great

price. I speake nothing of the seuerall sorts of passing good grapes for

Wine and Raisons.

(M598) Neither is it the least benefit, that they found salt made by the

Indians at Cayas, and in two places of the prouince of Aguacay: the manner

also how the Inhabitants make it, is very well worth the obseruation.

(M599) One of the chiefest of all the rest may be the notice of the South

Sea, leading vs to Iapan and China, which I finde here twice to be spoken

of. Whereof long since I haue written a discourse, which I thinke not fit

to be made ouer common.

For closing vp this point, The distances of places, the qualities of the

soiles, the situations of the regions, the diuersities and goodnesse of

the fruits, the seuerall sorts of beasts, the varietie of fowles, the

difference betweene the Inhabitants of the mountaines and the plaines, and

the riches of the Inland in comparison of the Sea coast, are iudicially

set downe in the conclusion of this booke, whereunto for mine owne ease I

referre you.

To come to the second generall head, which in the beginning I proposed,

concerning the manners and dispositions of the Inhabitants: among other

things, I finde them here noted to be very eloquent and well spoken, as

the short Orations, interpreted by Iohn Ortiz, which liued twelue yeeres

among them, make sufficient proofe. And the author, which was a gentleman

of Eluas in Portugall, emploied in all the action, whose name is not set

downe, speaking of the Cacique of Tulla, saith, that aswell this Cacique,

as the others, and all those which came to the Gouernour on their behalfe,

deliuered their message or speech in so good order, that no Oratour could

vtter the same more eloquently. But for all their faire and cunning

speeches, they are not ouermuch to be trusted: for they be the greatest

traitors of the world, as their manifold most craftie contriued and bloody

treasons, here set down at large, doe euidently proue. They be also as

vnconstant as the wethercock, and most readie to take all occasions of

aduantages to doe mischiefe. They are great liars and dissemblers; for

which faults often times they had their deserued paiments. And many times

they gaue good testimonie of their great valour and resolution. To handle

them gently, while gentle courses may be found to serue, it will be

without comparison the best: but if gentle polishing will not serue, then

we shall not want hammerours and rough masons enow, I meane our old

soldiours trained vp in the Netherlands, to square and prepare them to our

Preachers hands. To conclude, I trust by your Honours and Worships wise

instructions to the noble Gouernour, the worthy experimented Lieutenant

and Admirall, and other chiefe managers of the businesse, all things shall

be so prudently carried, that the painfull Preachers shall be reuerenced

and cherished, the valiant and forward soldiour respected, the diligent

rewarded, the coward emboldened, the weake and sick relieued, the mutinous

suppressed, the reputation of the Christians among the Saluages preserued,

our most holy faith exalted, all Paganisme and Idolatrie by little and

little vtterly extinguished. And her reposing and resting my selfe vpon

this sweete hope, I cease, beseeching the Almightie to blesse this good

work in your hands to the honour and glorie of his most holy name, to the

inlargement of the dominions of his sacred Majestie, and to the generall

good of all the worthie Aduenturers and vndertakers. From my lodging in

the Colledge of Westminster this 15. of Aprill, 1609.(125)

By one publikely and anciently deuoted to Gods seruice, and all yours in

this so good action,

RICHARD HAKLUYT.

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

the gouernment of Florida.

Captaine Soto was the son of a Squire of Xerez of Badaioz. He went into

the Spanish Indies, when Peter Arias of Auila was Gouernour of the West

Indies: And there he was without any thing else of his owne, saue his

sword and target: and for his good qualities and valour, Peter Arias made

him Captaine of a troope of horsemen, and by his commandement hee went

with Fernando Pizarro to the conquest of Peru: where (as many persons of

credit reported which were there present) as well at the taking of

Atabalipa, Lord of Peru, as at the assault of the citie of Cusco, and in

all other places where they found resistance, wheresoeuer hee was present,

hee parted all other Captaines and principall persons. For which came,

besides his part of the treasure of Atabalipa, he had a good share:

whereby in time he gathered an hundred and foure score thousand Duckets

together with that which fell to his part: which he brought into Spaine:

whereof the Emperour borrowed a certaine part, which he repaied againe

with 60000 Rials of plate in the rent of the silkes of Granada, and all

the rest was deliuered him in the Contractation house of Siuil. He tooke

seruents, to wit, a Steward, a Gentleman Vsher, Pages, a Gentleman of the

House, a Chamberlaine, Lakies, and al other officers that the house of a

Noble man requireth. From Siuil hee went to the Court, and in the Court,

there accompanied him Iohn Doierces of Siuil, and Lewis Moscoso

D’Aluarado, Nuncio de Tetuan, and John Rodriguez Lobillo. Except Iohn D,

all the rest came with him from Peru: and euery one of them brought

fourteene or fifteene thousand Duckets: all of them went well and costly

apparelled. And although Soto of his owne nature was not liberall, yet

because that was the first time that hee was to showe himselfe in the

Court, he spent frankely and went accompanied with those which I haue

named, and with his seruants, and many other which resorted vnto him. Hee

married with Donna Isabella en Bouadilla, daughter of Peter Arias de

Auila. Farie of Punno de Rostro. The Emperour made him the Gouernour of

the Isle of Cuba, and Adelantado or President of Florida, with a title of

Marques of certaine part of the lands which he should conquer.

Chap. II. How Cabeça de Vaca came to the Court and gave relation of the

Countrie of Florida: And of the Companie that was assembled in Siuil to

goe with Ferdinando de Soto.

When Don Ferdinando had obtained the gouernment, there came a Gentle man

from the Indies to the Court, named Cabeça de Vaca, which had been with

the gouernour Pamphilo de Naruaez which died in Florida, who reported that

Naruaez was cast away at sea with all the companie that went with him. And

how he with foure more escaped and arrived in Nueua Espanna: Also he

brought a relation in writing of that which he had seene in Florida; which

said in some places: In such a place I haue seene this; and the rest which

here I saw, I leaue to conferre of betweene his Majestie and my selfe.

Generally he reported the miserie of the Countrie, and the troubles which

hee passed: and he tolde some of his kinsfolke, which were desirous to goe

into the Indies, and vrged him very much to tell them whether he had seene

any rich country in Florida, that he might not tell them, because hee and

another, whose name was Orantes, (who remained in Nueua Espanna with

purpose to returne into Florida: for which intent hee came into Spaine to

beg the gouernment thereof of the Emperour) had sworne not to discouer

some of those things which they had seene, because no man should preuent

them in begging the same: And hee informed them, that it was the richest

Countrie of the world. Don Ferdinand de Soto was very desirous to haue him

with him, and made him a fauourable offer: and after they were agreed,

because Soto gaue him not a summe of money which he demanded to buy a ship

they broke off againe. Baltasar de Gallégos, and Christopher de Spindola,

the kinesmen of Cabeça de Vaca, told him, that for that which hee had

imparted to them, they were resolued to passe with Soto into Florida, and

therefore they prayed him to aduise them what they were best to doe.

Cabeça de Vaca told them, that the cause why he went not with Soto was,

because hee hoped to beg another gouernment, and that hee was loth to goe

vnder the command of another: and that hee came to beg the conquest of

Florida: but seeing Don Ferdinando de Soto had gotten it alreadie, for his

others sake hee might tell them nothing of that which they would know: but

he counselled them to sell their goods and goe with him, and that in so

doing they should doe well. As soone as he had opportunitie hee spake with

the Emperour, and related vnto him whatsoeuer hee had passed and seene,

and come to vnderstand. Of this relation made by word of mouth to the

Emperour, the Marques of Astorga had notice, and forthwith determined to

send with Don Ferdinando de Soto his brother Don Antonio Osorio: and with

him two kinsmen of his prepared themselues, to wit, Francis Osorio, and

Garcia Osorio. Don Antonio dispossessed himselfe of 60000 Rials of rent

which hee held by the Church: and Francis Osorio of a town of Vassals,

which he had in the Countrie de Campos. And they made their Rendezuous

with the Adelantado in Siuil. The like did Nunnez de Tonar, and Lewis de

Moscoso, and Iohn Rodriguez Lobillo, each of whom had brought from Peru

fourteene or fifteene thousand Duckets. Lewis de Moscoso carried with him

two brethren: there went also Don Carlos, which had married the Gouernours

Neece, and tooke her with him. From Badaioz there went Peter Calderan, and

three kinsemen of the Adelantado, to wit, Arias Tinoco, Alfonso Romo, and

Diego Tinoco. (M600) And as Lewis de Moscoso passed through Eluas, Andrew

de Vasconselos spake with him, and requested him to speake to Don

Ferdinando de Soto concerning him, and deliuered him certaine warrants

which he had receiued from the Marques of Villa real, wherein he gaue him

the Captaineship of Ceuta in Barbarie, that he might shew them vnto him.

And the Adelantado saw them; and was informed who hee was, and wrote vnto

him, that hee would fauour him in all things, and by al meanes, and would

giue him a charge of men in Florida. And from Eluas went Andrew de

Vasconselos, and Fernan Pegado, Antonio Martinez Segurado, Men Roiz

Fereira, Iohn Cordero, Stephen Pegado, Benedict Fernandez, and Aluaro

Fernandez. And out of Salamanca and Iaen, and Valencia, and Albuquerque,

and from other partes of Spaine, many people of Noble birth assembled at

Siuil: 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 Emperour, and informed such

persons as hee had conference withall touching the State of that Countrie.

Soto made him great offers: and being agreed to goe with him (as I haue

said before) because he would not giue him monie to pay for a ship, which

he had brought, they brake off, and he went for Gouernour to the Riuer of

Plate. (M601) His kinsemen Christopher de Spindola, and Báltasar de

Gallégos went with Soto. Baltasar de Gallégos sold houses and vineyards,

and rent corne, and ninetie rankes of Oliue trees in the Xarafe of Siuil:

Hee had the office of Alcalde Mayor, and tooke his wife with him: and

there went also many other persons of account with the President, and had

the officers following by great friendship, because they were officers

desired of many: to wit, Antonie de Biedma was Factor, Iohn Danusco was

Auditor, and Iohn Gaytan nephew to the Cardinall of Ciguenza had the

office of Treasurer.

Chap. III. How the Portugales went to Siuil, and from thence to S. Lucar:

he appointed Captaines ouer the ships, and distributed the people which

were to goe in them.

The Portugales departed from Eluas the 15. of Ianuarie, and came to Siuil

the 19. of the same moneth, and went to the lodging of the Gouernour, and

entred into a court, ouer the which were certaine galleries where hee was,

who came downe and receiued them at the staires, whereby they went vp into

the galleries: when he was come vp, he commanded chaires to be giuen them

to sit on. And Andrew de Vasconcellos told him who hee and the other

Portugales were, and how they all were come to accompany him, and serue

him in his voiage. He gaue him thanks and made shew of great contentment

for his comming and offer. And the table being alreadie laid he inuited

them to dinner. And being at dinner he commanded his steward to seeke a

lodging for them neere vnto his owne, where they might bee lodged. The

Adelantado departed from Siuil to Saint Lucar with al the people which

were to goe with him: And he commanded a muster to be made, at the which

the Portugales shewed themsetues armed in verie bright armour, and the

Castellans very gallant with silke vpon silke, with many pinkings and

cuts. The Gouernour, because these brauaries in such an action did not

like him, commanded that they should muster another day, and euery one

should come foorth with his armour: at the which the Portugales came as at

the first armed with very good armour. The Gouernour placed them in order

neere vnto the standard which the ensigne-bearer carried. The Castellanes

for the most part did weare very bad and rustie shirts of maile, and all

of them head peeces and steele cappes, and very bad lances. And some of

them sought to come among the Portugales. (M602) So those passed and were

counted and enroled, which Soto liked and accepted of, and did accompanie

him into Florida; which were in all sixe hundred men. He had alreadie

bought seuen ships, and had all necessarie prouision aboord them: he

appointed Captaines, and deliuered to euery one his ship, and gaue them in

a role what people euery one should carrie with them.

Chap. IV. How the Adelantado with his people departed from Spaine, and

came to the Canaries, and afterward to the Antiles.

In the yeere of our Lord 1538. in the moneth of Aprill, the Adelantado

deliuered his shippes to the Captaines which were to goe in them: and

tooke for himselfe a new ship, and good of saile, and gaue another to

Andrew de Vasconcelos in which the Portugales went: hee went ouer the

barre of S. Lucar on Sunday being S. Lazarus day, in the morning, of the

moneth and yeere aforesaid, with great ioy, commanding his trumpets to be

sounded, and many shots of the ordinance to be discharged. Hee sailed

foure daies with a prosperous wind: and suddenly it calmed: the calmes

continued eight daies with swelling seas, in such wise, that wee made no

way. The 15th day after his departure from S. Lucar, hee came to Gomera,

one of the Canaries, on Easter day in the morning. The Earle of that

Island was apparrelled all in white, cloke, ierkin, hose, shooes, and

cappe, so that hee seemed a Lord of the Gypses. He receiued the Gouernour

with much ioy: hee was well lodged, and all the rest had their lodgings

gratis, and gat great store of victuals for their monie, as bread, wine

and flesh: and they tooke what was needfull for their ships: and the

Sunday following, eight daies after their arriuall, they departed from the

Isle of Gomera. The Earle gaue to Donna Isabella the Adelantados wife a

bastard daughter that hee had to bee her waiting maid. They arriued at the

Antilles, in the Isle of Cuba, at the port of the City of Sant Iago vpon

Whitsunday. Assone as they came thither, a Gentleman of the Citie sent to

the sea side a very faire roan horse and well furnished for the Gouernour,

and a mule for Donna Isabella: and all the horsemen and footemen that were

in the towne came to receiue him at the sea side. The Gouernour was well

lodged, visited, and serued of all the inhabitants of that Citie, and all

his companie had their lodgings freely: those which desired to goe into

the countrie, were diuided by foure and foure, and sixe and sixe in the

farmes or granges, according to the abilitie of the owners of the farmes,

and were furnished by them with all things necessarie.

Chap. V. Of the inhabitants which are in the Citie of S. Iago, and in the

other townes of the Island: and of the qualitie of the soile, and fruites

that it yeeldeth.

The Citie of S. Iago hath fourescore houses which are great and well

contriued. The most part haue their walls made of bords, and are couered

with thatch; it hath some houses builded with lime and stone, and couered

with tiles. (M603) It hath great Orchards and many trees in them,

differing from those of Spaine: there be figgetrees which beare figges as

big as ones fist, yellow within, and of small taste; and other trees which

beare a fruit which they call Ananes, in making and bignes like to a small

Pineapple: it is a fruite very sweete in taste: the shel being taken away,

the kernel is like a peece of fresh cheese. In the granges abroad in the

countrie there are other great pineapples, which grow on low trees, and

are like the Aloe tree:(126) they are of a very good smell and exceeding

good taste. Other trees do beare a fruit, which they call Mameis of the

bignes of Peaches. This the Islanders do hold for the best fruit of the

country. There is another fruit which they call Guayahas like Filberds, as

bigge as figges. There are other trees as high as a iaueline, hauing one

only stocke without any bough, and the leaues as long as a casting dart:

and the fruite is of the bignesse and fashion of a Cucumber, one bunch

beareth 20. or 30. and as they ripen, the tree bendeth downeward with

them: they are called in this countrie Plantanos; and are of a good taste,

and ripen after they be gathered, but those are the better which ripen

vpon the tree it selfe: they beare fruite but once: and the tree being cut

downe, there spring vp others out of the but, which beare fruite the next

yeere. (M604) There is another fruit; whereby many people are sustained,

and chiefly the slaues, which are called Batatas. These grow now in the

Isle of Terçera, belonging to the Kingdome of Portugal, and they grow

within the earth, and are like a fruit called Iname, they haue almost the

taste of a chestnut. (M605) The bread of this countrie is also made of

rootes which are like the Batatas. And the stocke whereon those rootes doe

grow is like an Elder tree: they make their ground in little hillocks and

in each of them they thrust 4. or 5. stakes; and they gather the rootes a

yeere and an halfe after they set them. If any one, thinking it is a

Batata or Potato roote, chance to eate of it neuer so little, he is in

great danger of death: which was seene by experience in a souldier, which

assone as hee had eaten a very little of one of those rootes, hee died

quicklie. They pare these rootes and stamp them and squese them in a thing

like a presse: the iuyce that commeth from them is of an euill smell. The

bread is of little taste and lesse substance. Of the fruits of Spaine,

there are Figges and Oranges, and they beare fruite all the yeere, because

the soile is very ranke and fruitfull. (M606) In this countrie are many

good horses, and there is greene grasse all the yeere. There be many wild

oxen and hogges, whereby the people of the Island is well furnished with

flesh: Without the townes abroad in the Countrie are many fruites. And it

happeneth sometimes that a Christian goeth out of the way and is lost 15.

or 20. daies, because of the many paths in the thicke groues that crosse

too and fro made by the oxen: and being thus lost, they sustaine them

selues with fruites and palmitos: for there be many great groues of Palme

trees through all the Island: they yeeld no other fruite that is of any

profit. (M607) The Isle of Cuba is 300. leagues long from the East to the

West, and in some places 30. in others 40. leagues from North to South. It

hath 6. townes of Christians: to wit, S. Iago, Baracôa, Bayamo, Puerto de

Principes, S. Espirito, and Hauana. Euery one hath betweene 30. and 40.

households, except S. Iago and Hauana, which hath about 60. or 80. houses.

They haue Churches in each of them, and a Chaplen which confesseth them

and saith Masse. In S. Iago is a Monasterie of Franciscan Friars: it hath

but few Friers, and is well prouided of almes, because the countrie is

rich: The Church of S. Iago hath honest reuenew, and there is a Curat and

Prebends and many Priests, as the Church of that Citie, which is the

chiefe of all the Island. There is in this countrie much gold, and few

slaues to get it: For many haue made away themselues, because of the

Christians euill vsage of them in the mines. (M608) A steward of Vasques

Porcallo, which was an inhabitour in that Island, vnderstanding that his

slaues would make away themselues, staid for them with a cudgill in his

hand at the place where they were to meete, and told them, that they could

neither doe nor thinke any thing, that hee did not know before; and that

hee came thither to kill himselfe with them, to the end, that if hee had

vsed them badly in this world, hee might vse them worse in the world to

come: And this was a meane that they changed their purpose, and turned

home againe to doe that which he commanded them.

Chap. VI. How the Gouernour sent Donna Isabella with the ships to Hauana,

and he with some of his people went thither by land.

The Gouernour sent from S. Iago his Nephew Don Carlos with the ships in

company of Donna Isabella to tarrie for him at Hauana, which is an hauen

in the west part toward the head of the Island, 180. leagues from the

Citie of Saint Iago. The Gouernour and those which staied with him bought

horses and proceeded on their iournie. The first towne they came vnto was

Bayamo: they were lodged foure and foure, and sixe and sixe, as they went

in company, and where they lodged they tooke nothing for their diet, for

nothing cost them ought saue the Maiz or corne for their horses, because

the Gouernour went to visit them from towne to towne, and seased them in

the tribute and seruice of the Indians. Bayamo is 25. leagues from the

Citie of S. Iago. Neere vnto the towne passeth a great Riuer, which is

called Tanto; it is greater then Guadiana, and in it be very great

Crocodiles, which sometimes hurt the Indians, or the cattell which passeth

the Riuer. In all the countrie are neither Wolfe, Foxe, Beare, Lion, nor

Tiger. There are wild dogges which goe from the houses into the woods and

feed vpon swine. There be certaine Snakes as bigge as a mans thigh or

bigger, they are very slow, they doe no kind of hurt. From Bayamo to

Puerto dellos principes are 50. leagues. In al the Iland from towne to

towne, the way is made by stubbing vp the vnderwood: and if it bee left

but one yeere vndone, the wood groweth so much, that the way cannot be

seene, and the paths of the oxen are so many, that none can trauell

without an Indian of the Countrie for a guide: for all the rest is very

hie and thicke woods. From Puerto dellos principes the Gouernour went to

the house of Vasques Porcallo by sea in a bote, (for it was neere the sea)

to know there some newes of Donna Isabella, which at that instant (as

afterward was knowne) was in great distresse, in so much that the ships

lost one another: and two of them fell on the coast of Florida, and all of

them endured great want of water and victuals. When the storme was ouer,

they met together, without knowing where they were: in the end they

descried the Cape of S. Anton, a countrie not inhabited of the Island of

Cuba: there they watered; and at the end of 40. daies, which were passed

since their departure from the City of S. Iago, they arriued at Hauana.

The Gouernour was presently informed thereof, and went to Donna Isabella.

And those which went by land which were one hundred and fiftie horsemen,

being diuided into two parts, because they would not oppresse the

inhabitants, trauelled by S. Espirito, which is 60. leagues from Puerto

dellos principes. The food which they carried with them was Caçabe bread,

which is that whereof I made mention before: and it is of such a qualitie,

that if it be wet, it breaketh presently, whereby it happened to some to

eate flesh without bread for many daies. They carried dogges with them,

and a man of the Country, which did hunt; and by the way, or where they

were to lodge that night, they killed as many hogges as they needed. In

this iourney they were well prouided of beefe and porke: And they were

greatly troubled with Muskitos, especially in a lake, which is called the

mere of Pia, which they had much adoe to passe from noone till night, the

water might be some halfe league ouer, and to be swome about a crosse bowe

shot, the rest came to the waste, and they waded vp to the knees in the

mire, and in the bottome were cockle shels, which cut their feete very

sore; in such sort, that there was neither boote nor shoe sole that was

hole at halfe way. Their clothes and sandels were passed in baskets of

Palme trees. Passing this lake, stripped out of their clothes, there came

many muskitos, vpon whose bitting there arose a wheale that smarted very

much: they strooke them with their hands, and with the blow which they

gaue they killed so many, that the blood did runne downe the armes and

bodies of the men. That night they rested very little for them, and other

nights also in the like places and times. They came to Santo Espirito,

which is a towne of thirtie houses; there passeth by it a little Riuer: it

is very pleasant and fruitfull, hauing great store of Oranges and citrons,

and fruites of the Countrie: One halfe of the companie were lodged here,

and the rest passed forward 25. leagues to another towne called la

Trinidad of 15 or 20 households. Here is an hospitall for the poore, and

there is none other in all the Island. And they say, that this towne was

the greatest of all the Countrie and that before the Christians came into

this land, as a ship passed along the coast, there came in it a very sicke

man which desired the Captaine to set him on shore: and the Captaine did

so, and the ship went her way: The sicke man remained set on shore in that

countrie, which vntill then had not bene haunted by Christians; wherevpon

the Indians found him, carried him home, and looked vpon him till he was

whole; and the Lord of that towne maried him vnto a daughter of his, and

had warre withall the inhabitants round about, and by the industrie and

valour of the Christian, he subdued and brought vnder his command all the

people of that Island. A great while after, the Gouernour Diego Velasques

went to conquer it, and from thence discouered new Spaine: And this

Christian which was with the Indians did pacifie them, and brought them to

the obedience and subiection of the Gouernour. From this towne della

Trinidad vnto Hauana are 80. leagues, without any habitation, which they

trauelled. They came to Hauana in the end of March; where they found the

Gouernor, and the rest of the people which came with him from Spaine. The

Gouernour sent from Hauana Iohn Danusco with a carauele and two

brigantines with 50. men to discouer the hauen of Florida; and from thence

hee brought two Indians, which he tooke vpon the coast, wherwith (aswell

because they might be necessarie for guides and for interpretours, as

because they said by signes that there was much gold in Florida) the

Gouernour and all the companie receiued much contentment, and longed for

the houre of their departure, thinking in himselfe that this was the

richest Countrie, that vnto that day had been discouered.

Chap. VII. How we departed from Hauana, and ariued in Florida, and of such

things as happened vnto vs.

Before our departure, the Gouernour depriued Nunno de Touar of the office

of Captaine Generall, and gaue it to Porcallo de Figueroa, an inhabitant

of Cuba, which was a meane that the shippes were well furnished with

victuals: for he gaue a great many loads of Casabe bread, and manie

hogges. The Gouernour tooke away this office from Nonno de Touar, because

he had fallen in loue with the daughter of the Earle of Gomera, Donna

Isabellas waighting maid, who, though his office were taken from him, (to

returne againe to the Gouernours fauour) though she were with child by

him, yet tooke her to his wife, and went with Soto into Florida. The

Gouernour left Donna Isabella in Hauana; and with her remained the wife of

Don Carlos, and the wiues of Baltasar de Gallégos, and of Nonno de Touar.

And hee left for his lieutenant a Gentleman of Hauana, called Iohn de

Roias, for the gouernment of the Island.

On Sunday the 18. of May, in the yeere of our Lord, 1539. the Adelantado

or president departed from Hauana in Cuba with his fleete, which were nine

vessels, fiue great ships, two carauels, and two brigantines: They sailed

seuen daies with a prosperous wind. The 25. day of May, the day de Pasco

de Spirito Santo, (which we call Whitson Sonday,) they saw the land of

Florida; and because of the shoalds, they came to an anchor a league from

the shore. (M609) On Friday the 30. of May they landed in Florida, two

leagues from a towne of an Indian Lord, called Vcita. They set on land two

hundred and thirteene horses, which they brought with them, to vnburden

the shippes, that they might draw the lesse water. Hee landed all his men,

and only the sea men remained in the shippes, which in eight daies, going

vp with the tide euery day a little, brought them vp vnto the towne.

(M610) Assoone as the people were come on shore, hee pitched his campe on

the sea side, hard vpon the Bay which went vp vnto the towne. And

presently the Captaine generall Vasques Porcallo with other 7. horsemen

foraged the Countrie halfe a league round about, and found sixe Indians,

which resisted him with their arrowes, which are the weapons which they

vse to fight withall: The horsemen killed two of them, and the other foure

escaped; because the countrie is cumbersome with woods and bogs, where the

horses stacke fast, and fell with their riders, because they were weake

with trauelling vpon the sea. The same night following the Gouernour with

an hundred men in the brigantines lighted vpon a towne, which he found

without people, because, that assoone as the Christians had sight of land,

they were descried, and saw along the coast many smokes, which the Indians

had made to giue aduice the one to the other. The next day Luys de

Moscoso, Master of the Campe set the men in order, the horsemen in three

squadrons, the Vantgard, the Batallion, and the Rerewarde: and so they

marched that day, and the day following, compassing great Creekes which

came out of the Bay: They came to the towne of Vcita, where the Gouernour

was, on Sunday the first of Iune, being Trinitie Sunday. The towne was of

seuen or eight houses. The Lordes house stoode neere the shore vpon a very

hie mount, made by hand for strength. At another ende of the towne stood

the Church, and on the top of it stood a fowle made of wood with gilded

eies. Heere were found some pearles of small valew, spoiled with the fire,

which the Indians do pierce and string them like beades, and weare them

about their neckes and hand wrists, and they esteeme them very much. The

houses were made of timber, and couered with Palme leaues. The Gouernour

lodged himselfe in the Lords houses, and with him Vasques Porcallo, and

Luys de Moscoso: and in others that were in the middest of the towne, was

the chiefe Alcalde or Iustice, Baltasar de Gallégos lodged; and in the

same houses was set in a place by it selfe, al the prouision that came in

the ships: the other houses and the Church were broken down, and euery

three or foure souldiers made a little cabin wherein they lodged. The

Countrie round about was very fennie, and encombred with great and hie

trees. The Gouernor commanded to fel the woods a crossebow shot round

about the towne, that the horses might runne, and the Christians might

haue the aduantage of the Indians, if by chance they should set vpon them

by night. In the waies and places conuenient, they had their Centinelles

of footemen by two and two in euery stand, which did watch by turnes, and

the horsemen did visit them, and were readie to assist them, if there were

any alarme. The Gouernour made foure Captaines of the horsemen, and two of

the footemen. The Captaines of the horsemen were, one of them Andrew de

Vasconcelos, and another Pedro Calderan de Badaioz: and the other two were

his kinsemen, to wit, Arias Tinoco, and Alfonso Romo, borne likewise in

Badaioz. The Captaines of the footemen, the one was Francisco Maldonado of

Salamanca, and the other Iuan Rodriguez Lobillo. While wee were in this

towne of Vcita, the two Indians, which Iohn Danusco had taken on that

coast, and the Gouernor caried along with him for guides and

interpretours, through carelessnes of two men, which had the charge of

them, escaped away one night. For which the Gouernour and all the rest

were very sorie, for they had alreadie made some roades, and no Indians

could bee taken, because the countrie was full of marish grounds, and in

many places full of very hie and thicke woods.

Chap. VIII. Of some inrodes that were made into the Countrie: and how

there was a Christian found, which had bin long time in the power of an

Indian Lord.

From the towne of Vcita, the Gouernour sent the Alcalde Mayor, Baltasar de

Gallégos with 40. horsemen and 80. footemen into the Countrie to see if

they could take any Indians: and the Captaine Iohn Rodriguez Lobillo

another way with 50. footemen, the most of them were swordmen and

targettours, and the rest were shot and crossebowmen. They passed through

a countrie full of bogges, where horses could not trauell. Halfe a league

from the campe, they lighted vpon certaine cabins of Indians neere a

Riuer: The people that were in them leaped into the Riuer; yet they tooke

foure Indian women; And twentie Indians charged vs, and so distressed vs,

that wee were forced to retire to our campe, being, as they are, exceeding

readie with their weapons. It is a people so warlike and so nimble, that

they care not awhit for any footemen. For if their enemies charge them,

they runne away, and if they turne their backs, they are presently vpon

them. And the thing that they most flee, is the shot of an arrow. They

neuer stand still, but are alwaies running and trauersing from one place

to another: by reason whereof neither crossebow nor arcubuse can aime at

them: and before one crossebowman can make one shot, an Indian will

discharge three or foure arrowes; and he seldome misseth what hee shooteth

at. An arrow, where it findeth no armour, pierceth as deeply as a

crossebow. Their bowes are very long, and their arrowes are made of

certaine canes like reedes, very heauie, and so strong, that a sharpe cane

passeth thorow a target: Some they arme in point with a sharpe bone of a

fish like a chisel, and in others they fasten certaine stones like points

of Diamants. For the most part when they light vpon an armour, they breake

in the place where they are bound together. Those of cane do split and

pierce a coate of maile, and are more hurtfull then the other. Iohn

Rodriguez Lobillo returned to the campe with sixe men wounded, whereof one

died; and brought the foure Indian women which Baltasar Gallégos had taken

in the cabins or cotages. Two leagues from the towne, comming into the

plaine field, he espied ten or eleuen Indians, among whom was a Christian,

which was naked, and scorched with the Sunne, and had his armes razed

after the manner of the Indians, and differed nothing at all from them.

And assoone as the horsemen saw them they ran toward them. The Indians

fled, and some of them hid themselues in a wood, and they ouertooke two or

three of them, which were wounded: and the Christian, seeing an horseman

runne vpon him with his lance, began to crie out, Sirs, I am a Christian,

slay me not, nor these Indians, for they haue saued my life. And

straightway he called them, and put them out of feare, and they came

foorth of the wood vnto them. The horse men tooke both the Christian and

the Indians vp behind them; and toward night came into the Campe with much

ioy; which thing being known by the Gouernour, and them that remained in

the Campe, they were receiued with the like.

Chap. IX. How this Christian came to the land of Florida, and who he was:

and what conference he had with the Gouernour.

(M611) This Christians name was Iohn Ortiz, and he was borne in Siuil, of

worshipful parentage. He was 12. yeeres in the hands of the Indians. He

came into this Countrie with Pamphilo de Naruaez, and returned in the

ships to the Island of Cuba, where the wife of the Gouernour Pamphilo de

Naruaez was: and by his commandement with 20. or 30. other in a brigandine

returned backe againe to Florida: and comming to the port in the sight of

the towne, on the shore they saw a cane sticking in the ground, and riuen

at the top, and a letter in it: and they beleeued that the Gouernour had

left it there to giue aduertisement of himselfe, when he resolued to goe

vp into the land: and they demanded it of foure or fiue Indians, which

walked along the sea shore: and they had them by signes to come on shore

for it: which against the will of the rest Iohn Ortiz and another (M612)

did. And assoone as they wereon land, from the houses of the towne issued

a great number of Indians, which compassed them about, and tooke them in a

place where they could not flee: and the other which sought to defend

himselfe, they presentlie killed vpon the place, and tooke Iohn Ortiz

aliue, and carried him to Vcita their Lord. And those of the brigandine

sought not to land, but put themselues to sea, and returned to the Island

of Cuba. Vcita commaunded to bind Iohn Ortiz hand and foote vpon foure

stakes aloft vpon a raft, and to make a fire vnder him, that there he

might bee burned: But a daughter of his desired him that he would not put

him to death, alleaging, that one only Christian could do him neither hurt

nor good, telling him, that it was more for his honor to keepe him as a

captiue. And Vcita granted her request, and commaunded him to be cured of

his wounds: and assoone as he was whole, he gaue him the charge of the

keeping of the Temple: because that by night the wolues did cary away the

dead corpse out of the towne, who commended himselfe to God and tooke vpon

him the charge of his temple. One night the wolues gatte from him the

corpse of a little child, the sonne of a principal Indian: and going after

them he threw a darte at one of the wolues and wounde him that carried

away the corps, who feeling himselfe wounded, left it, and fell downe dead

neere the place: and hee not seeing what he had done, because it was

night, went backe againe to the Temple: the morning being come, and

finding not the bodie of the child, he was very sad. Assoone as Vcita knew

therof, he resolued to put him to death; and sent by the track, which he

said the wolues went, and found the bodie of the child and the wolfe dead

a little beyond: whereat Vcita was much concerned with the Christian, and

with the watch which hee kept in the Temple, and from thence forward

esteemed him much. Three yeeres after he fell into his hands there came

another Lord called Mocoço, who dwelleth two daies iourney from the Port,

and burned his towne. Vcita fled to another towne that he had in another

sea port. Thus Iohn Ortiz lost his office and fauour that he had with him.

These people being worshippers of the deuill, are wont to offer vp vnto

him the liues and blood of their Indians, or of any other people they can

come by: and they report, that when he will haue them doe that sacrifice

vnto him, he speaketh with them, and telleth them, that he is athirst, and

willeth them to sacrifice vnto him. Iohn Ortiz had notice by the damsell

that had deliuered him from the fire, how her father was determined to

sacrifice him the day following, who willed him to flee to Mocoço: for

shee knew that he would vse him wel: for she heard say, that he had asked

for him, and said hee would bee glad to see him: and because he knew not

the way, she went with him halfe a league out of the towne by night, and

set him in the way, and returned, because she would not be discouered.

Iohn Ortiz trauailed all that night, and by the morning came vnto a Riuer,

which is in the territorie of Mocoço: and there he saw two Indians

fishing; and because they were in war with the people of Vcita, and their

languages were different, and hee knew not the language of Mocoço, he was

afraid, because he could not tell them who hee was, nor how hee came

thither, nor was able to answer any thing for himselfe, that they would

kill him, taking him for one of the Indians of Vcita; and before they

espied him he came to the place where they had laid their weapons: and

assoone as they saw him, they fled toward the towne, and although he

willed them to stay, because he meant to do them no hurt, yet they

vnderstood him not, and ran away as fast as euer they could. And assone as

they came to the towne with great outcries, many Indians came forth

against him, and began to compasse him to shoote at him: Iohn Ortiz seeing

himselfe in so great danger, sheilded himselfe with certaine trees, and

began to shreeke out, and crie very loud, and to tell them that he was a

Christian, and that he was fled from Vcita, and was come to see and serue

Mocoço his Lord. It pleased God that at that very instant there came

thither an Indian that could speake the language and vnderstood him; and

pacified the rest; who told them what hee said. Then ran from thence three

or foure Indians to beare the newes to their Lord: who came foorth a

quarter of a league from the towne to receiue him; and was very glad of

him. He caused him presently to sweare according to the custome of the

Christians, that hee would not run away from him to any other Lord: and

promised him to entreate him very well; and that if at any time there came

any Christians into that countrie, he would freely let him goe, and giue

him leaue to goe to them: and likewise tooke his oth to performe the same

according to the Indian custome. (M613) About three yeeres after certaine

Indians, which were fishing at sea two leagues from the towne, brought

newes to Mocoço that they had seene ships: and hee called Iohn Ortiz, and

gaue him leaue to go his way: who taking his leaue of him, with all the

haste he could came to the sea, and finding no ships, he thought it to be

some deceit, and that the Cacique had done the same to learne his mind. So

he dwelt with Mocoço nine yeeres, with small hope of seeing any

Christians. Assoone as our Gouernour arriued in Florida, it was knowne to

Mocoço, and straightway he signified to Iohn Ortiz, that Christians were

lodged in the towne of Vcita: And he thought he had iested 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 serue him. But he assured

him that it was so, and gaue him licence to goe vnto them: saying vnto

him, that if hee would not doe it, and if the Christians should goe their

way, he should not blame him, for hee had fulfilled that which he had

promised him. The ioy of Iohn Ortiz was so great, that he could not

beleeue that it was true: notwithstanding he gaue him thankes, and tooke

his leaue of him: and Mocoço gaue him tenne or eleuen principall Indians

to beare him companie: and as they went to the port where the Gouernour

was, they met with Baltasar de Gallégos, as I haue declared before. (M614)

Assoone as he was come to the campe, the Gouernour commanded to giue him a

suite of apparell, and very good armour, and a faire horse: and enquired

of him, whether hee had notice of any countrie, where there was any gold

or siluer: He answered, No, because he neuer went ten leagues compasse

from the place where he dwelt: But 30. leagues from thence dwelt an Indian

Lord, which was called Parocossi, to whom Mocoço and Vcita, with al the

rest of that coast paied tribute, and that hee peraduenture might haue

notice of some good countrie: and that his land was better then that of

the sea coast, and more fruitfull and plentifull of maiz. Whereof the

Gouernour receiued great contentment: and said that he desired no more

then to finde victuals, that hee might goe into the maine land, for the

land of Florida, was so large, that in one place or other there could not

chuse but bee some rich Countrie. The Cacique Mocoço came to the Port to

visit the Gouernor and made this speech following.

Right hie and mightie Lord, I being lesser in mine owne conceit for to

obey you, then any of those which you haue vnder your command; and greater

in desire to doe you greater seruices, doe appeare before your Lordship

with so much confidence of receiuing fauour, as if in effect this my good

will were manifested vnto you in workes: not for the small seruice I did

vnto you touching the Christian which I had in my power, in giuing him

freely his libertie, (For I was bound to doe it to preserue mine honour,

and that which I had promised him:) but because it is the part of great

men to vse great magnificences: And I am perswaded, that as in bodily

perfections, and commanding of good people, you doe exceede all men in the

world, so likewise you doe in the parts of the minde, in which you may

boast of the bountie of nature. The fauour which I hope for of your

Lordship is, that you would hold mee for yours, and bethinke your selfe to

command me any thing, wherein I may doe you seruice.

The Gouernour answereth him, That although in freeing and sending him the

Christian, he had presented his honour and promise, yet he thanked him,

and held it in such esteeme, as it had no comparison; and that hee would

alwaies hold him as his brother, and would fauour him in all things to the

vtmost of his power. Then he commanded a shirt to be giuen him, and other

things, where with the Cacique being verie well contented, tooke his leaue

of him, and departed to his owne towne.

Chap. X. How the Gouernour sent the ships to Cuba: and left an hundred men

at the Hauen de Spirito Santo, and himself with the rest of his people

went into the maine land.

From the Port de Spirito Santo where the Gouernour lay, he sent the

Alcalde Mayor Baltasar de Gallégos with 50. horsemen, and 30. or 40.

footemen to the prouince of Paracoussi, to view the disposition of the

countrie, and enforme himselfe of the land farther inward, and to send him

word of such things as he found. Likewise he sent his shippes backe to the

Iland of Cuba, that they might returne within a certaine time with

victuals. Vasques Porcallo de Figueroa, which went with the Gouernour as

Captaine Generall, (whose principall intent was to send slaues from

Florida, to the Iland of Cuba, where he had his goods and mines;) hauing

made some inrodes, and seeing no Indians were to be got, because of the

great bogs and thicke woods that were in the Countrie, considering the

disposition of the same, determined to returne to Cuba. And though there

was some difference between him and the Gouernour, whereupon they neither

dealt nor conuersed together with good countenance, yet notwithstanding

with louing words he asked him leaue and departed from him. Baltasar de

Gallégos came to the Paracossi: There came to him 30. Indians from the

Cacique, which was absent from his town, and one of them made this speech:

Paracossi, the Lord of this prouince, whose vassals we are sendeth vs vnto

your worship, to know what it is that you seeke in this his countrie, and

wherein he may doe you seruice.

Baltasar de Gallégos said vnto him, that hee thanked them very much for

their offer, willing them to warne their Lord to come to his towne, and

that there they would talke and confirme their peace and friendship, which

he much desired. The Indians went their way, and returned the next day,

and said, that their Lord was ill at ease, and therefore could not come,

but that they came on his behalfe to see what he demanded. He asked them

if they knew or had notice of any rich Countrie where there was gold or

siluer. They told them, they did: and that toward the West, there was a

prouince which was called Cale; and that others that inhabited other

Countries had warre with the people of that Countrie, where the most part

of the yeere was sommer, and that there was much gold: and that when those

their enemies came to make ware with them of Cale, these inhabitants of

Cale did weare hats of gold, in manner of head peeces. Baltasar de

Gallégos, seeing that the Cacique came not, thinking all that they said

was fained, with intent that in the meane time they might set themselues

in safetie, fearing, that if he did let them goe, they would returne no

more, commanded the thirty Indians to be chained, and sent word to the

Gouernour, by eight horsemen, what had passed: whereof the Gouernour and

al that were with him, at the Port de Spirito Santo receiued great

comfort, supposing, that that which the Indians reported, might be true.

Hee left Captaine Calderan at the Port, with thirtie horsemen, and

seuentie footemen, with prouision for two yeeres, and himselfe with all

the rest marched into the maine land, and came to the Paracossi, at whose

towne Baltasar de Gallégos was: and from thence with all his men tooke the

way to Cale. He passed by a little towne called Acela, and came to another

called Tocaste: and from thence he went before with 30 horsemen, and 50

footemen toward Cale. And passing by a towne, whence the people were fled,

they saw Indians a little from thence in a lake; to whom the Interpreter

spake. They came vnto them and gaue them an Indian for a guide: and hee

came to a Riuer with a great current, and vpon a tree, which was in the

midst of it, was made a bridge, whereon the men passed: the horses swam

ouer by a hawser, that they were pulled by from the otherside: for one,

which they droue in without it, was drowned. From thence the Gouernour

sent two horsemen to his people that were behind, to make haste after him;

because the way grew long and their victuals short. Hee came to Cale, and

found the towne without people. He tooke three Indians, which were spies,

and tarried there for his people that came after, which were sore vexed

with hunger and euill waies, because the Countrie was very barren of Maiz,

low, and full of water, bogs, and thicke woods; and the victuals, which

they brought with them from the Port de Spirito Santo, were spent.

Whersoeuer any towne was found, there were some beetes, and hee that came

first gathered them, and sodden with water and salt, did eate them without

any other thing: and such as could not get them, gathered the stalkes of

Maiz and eate them, which because they were young, had no Maiz in them.

When they came to the Riuer which the Gouernour had passed, they found

palmitos vpon lowe Palmetrees like those of Andaluzia. There they met with

the two horsemen which the Gouernour sent vnto them, and they brought

newes that in Cale there was plentie of Maiz: at which newes they all

reioyced. Assoone as they came to Cale, the Gouernour commanded them to

gather all the Maiz that was ripe in the field, which was sufficient for

three moneths. At the gathering of it the Indians killed three Christians

and one of them which were taken told the Gouernour that within seuen

dayes iournie, there was a very great Prouince, and plentifull of Maiz,

which was called Apalache. And presently he departed from Cale with 50

horsemen and 60. footemen. He left the master of the Campe Luys de Moscoso

with all the rest of the people there, with charge that hee should not

depart thence vntill hee had word from him. And because hitherto none had

gotten any slaues, the bread that euery one was to eate, he was faine

himselfe to beate in a morter made in a piece of timber with a pestle, and

some of them did sift the flower through their shirts of maile. They baked

their bread vpon certaine tileshares which they set ouer the fire, in such

sort as heretofore I haue said they vse to doe in Cuba. It is so

troublesome to grind their Maiz, that there were many that would rather

not eate it, then grind it: and did eate the Maiz parched and sodden.

Chap. XI. How the Gouernour came to Caliquen, and carrying from thence the

Cacique with him went to Napetuca, where the Indians sought to haue taken

him from him, and in an assault many of them were slaine, and taken

prisoners.

The 11. day of August 1539, the Gouernour departed from Cale: hee lodged

in a little town called Ytara, and the next day in another called Potano,

and the third day at Vtinama, and came to another towne, which they named

the towne of Euil peace; because an Indian came in peace, saying, That he

was the Cacique, and that he with his people would serue the Gouernour,

and that if he would set free 28. persons, men and women, which his men

had taken the night before, he would command prouision to be brought him,

and would giue him a guide to instruct him in his way: The Gouernour

commanded them to be set at libertie, and to keepe him in safegard. The

next day in the morning there came many Indians, and set themselues round

about the towne neere to a wood. The Indian wished them to carrie him

neere them; and that he would speake vnto them, and assure them, and that

they would doe whatsoeuer hee commanded them. And when he saw himselfe

neere vnto them he brake from them, and ran away so swiftly from the

Christians, that there was none that could ouertake him, and all of them

fled into the woods. The Gouernour commanded to loose a grayhound, which

was alreadie fleshed on them, which passing by many other Indians, caught

the counterfait Cacique, which had escaped from the Christians, and held

him till they came to take him. From thence the Gouernour lodged at a

towne called Cholupaha: and because it had store of Maiz in it, they named

it Villa farta. Beyond the same there was a Riuer, on which he made a

bridge of timber, and trauelled two daies through a desert. The 17. of

August, he came to Caliquen, where he was informed of the Prouince of

Apalache: They told him that there Pamphilo de Naruaez had bin there, and

that hee tooke shipping, because hee could find no way to goe forward:

that there was none other towne at al; but that on both sides was all

water. The whole companie were very sad for these newes: and counselled

the Gouernour to goe backe to the Port de Spirito Santo, and to abandon

the Countrie of Florida, lest hee should perish as Naruaez had done:

declaring, that if he went forward, he could not returne backe when he

would, and that the Indians would gather vp that small quantitie of Maiz

which was left. Whereunto the Gouernour answered, that he would not go

backe, till he had seene with his eies that which they reported: saying,

that he could not beleeue it, and that wee should be put out of doubt

before it were long. And he sent to Luys de Moscoso to come presently from

Cale, and that he tarried for him here. Luys de Moscoso and many others

thought, that from Apalache they should returne backe; and in Cale they

buried their yron tooles, and diuers other things. They came to Caliquen

with great trouble; because the Countrie, which the Gouernour had passed

by, was spoiled and destitute of Maiz. After all the people were come

together, hee commanded a bridge to bee made ouer a Riuer that passed

neere the towne. Hee departed from Caliquen the 10. of September, and

carried the Cacique with him. After hee had trauelled three daies, there

came Indians peaceably, to visit their Lord, and euery day met vs on the

way playing vpon flutes: which is a token that they vse, that men may know

that they come in peace. They said, that in our way before there was a

Cacique, whose name was Vzachil, a kinseman of the Cacique of Caliquen

their Lord, waiting for him with many presents, and they desired the

Gouernour that he would loose the Cacique. But he would not, fearing that

they would rise, and would not giue him any guides, and sent them away

from day to day with good words. He trauelled fiue daies, he passed by

some smal townes, he came to a towne called Napetuca, the 15. day of

September. Thither came 14. or 15. Indians, and besought the Gouernor to

let loose the Cacique of Caliquen their Lord. He answered them that he

held him not in prison, but that hee would haue him to accompanie him to

Vzachil. The Gouernour had notice by Iohn Ortiz, that an Indian told him

how they determined to gather themselues together, and come vpon him, and

giue him battell, and take away the Cacique from him. The day that it was

agreed vpon, the Gouernour commanded his men to bee in a readines, and

that the horsemen should bee readie armed and on horsebacke euery one in

his lodging, because the Indians might not see them, and so more

confidently come to the towne. There came four hundred Indians in sight of

the campe, with their bowes and arrowes, and placed themselues in a wood,

and sent two Indians to bid the Gouernour to deliuer them the Cacique. The

Gouernour with sixe footemen 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 towne in the houses, both horse and foot, set vpon 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

Gouernours, and hee was presently horsed againe vpon another. There were

30. or 40. Indians slaine. The rest fled to two very great lakes, that

were somewhat distant the one from the other: There they were swimming,

and the Christians round about them. The caliuermen and crossebowmen shot

at them from the banke: but the distance being great and shooting afarre

off, they did them no hurt. The Gouernour commanded that the same night

they should compasse one of the lakes, because they were so great, that

there were not men enow to compasse them both: being beset, assoone as

night shut in, the Indians, with determination to runne away, came

swimming very softly to the banke; and to hide themselues, they put a

water lillie leafe on their heads. The horsemen assoone as they perceiued

it to stirre, ran into the water to the horses breasts, and the Indians

fled againe into the lake. So this night passed without any rest on both

sides, Iohn Ortiz perswaded them, that seeing they could not escape, they

should yeeld themselues to the Gouernour: which they did, enforced

thereunto by the coldnes of the water; and one by one, hee first whom the

cold did first ouercome, cried to Iohn Ortiz desiring that they would not

kill him, for he came to put himselfe into the hands of the Gouernour. By

the morning watch they made an end of yeelding themselues: only 12.

principall men, being more honorable and valorous then the rest, resolued

rather to die then to come into his hands. And the Indians of Paracossi,

which were now loosed out of chaines, went swimming to them, and pulled

them out by the haire of their heads, and they were all put in chaines;

and the next day were diuided among the Christians for their seruice.

Being thus in captiuitie, they determined to rebell; and gaue in charge

(M615) to an Indian, which was interpretour, and held to be valiant, that

assoone as the Goueruour did come to speak with him, hee should cast his

hands about his necke, and choke him: Who, when he saw opportunitie, laid

hands on the Gouernour, and before he cast his hands about his necke, he

gaue him such a blow on the nostrils, that hee made them gush out with

blood, and presently all the rest did rise. He that could get any weapons

at hand, or the handle wherewith he did grind the Maiz, sought to kill his

master, or the first hee met before him: and hee that could get a lance or

sword at hand, bestirred himselfe in such sort with it, as though he had

vsed it all his life time. One Indian in the market place enclosed

betweene 15. or 20. footemen, made a way like a bull with a sword in his

hand, till certaine halbardiers of the Gouernour came, which killed him.

Another gat vp with a lance to a left made of canes, which they build to

keep their Maiz in, which they call a Barbacoa, and there hee made such a

noise, as though tenne men had been there defending the doore: they slew

him with a partisan. (M616) The Indians were in all about two hundred men.

They were all subdued. And some of the youngest the Gouernour gaue to them

which had good chaines, and were carefull to looke to them that they gat

not away. Al the rest he commanded to be put to death, being tied to a

stake in the midst of the market place: and the Indians of the Paracossi

did shoote them to death.

Chap. XII. How the Gouernour came to Apalache, and was informed, that

within the land, there was much gold.

The Gouernour departed from Napetuca the 23. of September: he lodged by a

Riuer, where two Indians brought him a buck from the Cacique of Vzachil.

The next day he passed by a great towne called Hapaluya and lodged at

Vzachil, and found no people in it, because they durst not tarrie for the

notice the Indians had of the slaughter of Napetuca. He found in that

towne great store of Maiz, French beanes, and pompions, which is their

foode, and that wherewith the Christians there sustained themselues. The

Maiz is like course millet, and the pompions are better and more sauorie

than those of Spaine. From thence the Gouernour sent two Captaines each a

sundry way to seeke the Indians. They tooke an hundred men and women: of

which aswel there as in other places where they made any inrodes, the

Captaine chose one or two for the Gouernour, and diuided the rest to

himselfe, and those that went with him. They led these Indians in chaines

with yron collars about their neckes: and they serued to carrie their

stuffe, and to grind their Maiz, and for other seruices that such captiues

should doe. Sometimes it happened that going for wood or Maiz with them,

they killed the Christian that led them, and ran away with the chaine:

others filed their chaines by night with a peece of stone, wherewith they

cut them, and vse it in stead of yron. Those that were perceiued paid for

themselues, and for the rest, because they should not dare to doe the like

another time. The women and young boyes, when they were once an hundred

leagues from their Countrie, and had forgotten things, they let goe loose,

and so they serued; and in a very short space they vnderstood the language

of the Christians. From Vzachil the Gouernour departed toward Apalache,

and in two daies iournie, hee came to a towne called Axille, and from

thence forward the Indians were carelesse, because they had as yet no

notice of the Christians. The next day in the morning, the first of

October, he departed from thence, and commanded a bridge to bee made ouer

a Riuer which hee was to passe. The deepe of the Riuer where the bridge

was made, was a stones cast, and forward a crossebow shot the water came

to the waste; and the wood, whereby the Indians came to see if they could

defend the passage, and disturbe those which made the bridge, was very hie

and thicke. The crossebow men so bestirred themselues that they made them

giue back: and certaine plancks were cast into the Riuer, whereon the men

passed, which made good the passage. The Gouernour passed vpon Wednesday,

which was S. Francis his day, and lodged at a towne which was called

Vitachuco, subiect to Apalache: he found it burning; for the Indians had

set it on fire. From thence forward the countrie was much inhabited, and

had great store of Maiz. Hee passed by many granges, like hamlets. On

Sunday the 25. of October, he came to a towne, which is called Vzela, and

vpon Tuesday to Anaica Apalache, where the Lord of all that Countrie and

Prouince was resident: in which towne the Campemaster, whose office it is

to quarter out, and lodge men, did lodge all the companie round about

within a league, and halfe a league of it. There were other townes, where

was great store of Maiz, Pomions, French Beanes, and Plummes of the

Countrie, which are better then those of Spaine, and they grow in the

fields without planting. The victuals that were thought necessarie to

passe the winter, were gathered from these townes to Anaica Apalache. The

Gouernour was informed, that the sea was ten leagues from thence. Hee

presently sent a Capiaine thither with horsemen and footemen: And sixe

leagues on the way, he found a towne, which was named Ochete, and so came

to the Sea: and found a great tree felled, and cut into peeces, with

stakes set vp like mangers, and saw the skulles of horses. Hee returned

with this newes. And that was held for certaine, which was reported of

Pamphilo de Naruaez, that there hee had builded the barkes wherewith he

went out of the land of Florida, and was cast away at sea. Presently the

Gouernour sent Iohn Danusco with 30. horsemen to the port de Spirito

Santo, where Calderan was, with order, that they should abandon the port,

and all of them come to Apalache. Hee departed on Saturday the 17 of

Nouember. In Vzachil and other townes that stood in the way he found great

store of people already carelesse. Hee would take none of the Indians, for

not hindring himselfe, because it behoued him to giue them no leasure to

gather themselues together. Hee passed through the townes by night, and

rested without the townes three or foure houres. In tenne daies he came to

the Port de Spirito Santo. Hee carried with him 20. Indian women which hee

tooke in Ytara, and Potano, neere vnto Cale, and sent them to Donna

Isabella in the two carauels, which hee sent from the Port de Spirito

Santo to Cuba. And he carried all the footemen in the brigandines, and

coasting along the shore, came to Apalache. And Calderan with the

horsemen, and some crossebowmen on foot went by land; and in some places

the Indians set vpon him, and wounded some of his men. Assoone as he came

to Apalache presently the Gouernour sent sawed plankes and spikes to the

sea side, wherewith was made a piragua or barke, wherein were embarked 30.

men well armed; which went out of the Bay to the Sea, looking for the

brigandines. Sometimes they fought with the Indians, which passed along

the harbour in their canoes. Vpon Saturday the 29. of Nouember, there came

an Indian through the Watch vndiscouered, and set the towne on fire, and

with the great wind that blew, two parts of it were consumed in a short

time. On Sonday the 28. of December came Iohn Danusco with the

brigandines. The Gouernour sent Francisco Maldonado a captaine of footemen

with 50 men to discouer the coast Westward, and to seeke some Port,

because he had determined to goe by land, and discouer that part. That day

there went out eight horsemen by commandement of the Gouernour into the

field, two leagues about the towne to seeke Indians: for they were now so

emboldened, that within two crossebow shot of the camp, they came and slew

men. They found two men and a woman gathering French Beanes: the men,

though they might haue fled, yet because they would not leaue the woman,

which was one of their wiues, they resolued to die fighting: and before

they were slaine, they wounded three horses, whereof one died within a few

daies after. Calderan going with his men by the Sea-coast, from a wood

that was neere the place, the Indians set vpon him, and made him forsake

his way, and many of them that went with him forsooke some necessarie

victuals, which they carried with them. Three or foure daies after the

limited time giuen by the Gouernour to Maldonado for his going and

comming, being alreadie determined and resolued, if within eight daies he

did not come to tarrie no longer for him, he came and brought an Indian

from a Prouince, which was called Ochus, sixtie leagues Westward from

Apalache; where he had found a good Port of good depth and defense against

weather. And because the Gouernour hoped to find a good countrie forward

he was well contented. And he sent Maldonado for victuals to Hauana, with

order, that he should tarrie for him at the Port of Ochus, which hee had

discouered, for hee would goe seeke it by land: and if he should chance to

stay, and not come thither that summer, that then he should returne to

Hauana, and should come again the next summer after and tarrie for him at

that port, for he said hee would doe none other thing but goe to seeke

Ochus. Francisco Maldonado departed, and in his place for captaine of the

footemen remained Iohn de Guzman. (M617) Of those Indians which were taken

in Napetuca, the treasurer Iohn Gaytan had a young man, which said, that

he was not of that countrie, but of another farre off toward the

Sunrising, and that it was long since he had trauelled to see countries;

and that his countrie was called Yupaha, and that a woman did gouern it;

and that the towne where she was resident was of a wonderfull bignesse,

and that many lords round about were tributaries to her; and some gaue her

clothes, and others gold in abundance; and hee told, how it was taken out

of the mines, and was moulten and refined, as if hee had seene it done, or

the diuel had taught it him. So that all those which knew anything

concerning the same, said that it was impossible to giue so good a

relation, without hauing seene it; And all of them, as if they had seene

it, by the signes that he gaue, beleeued all that hee said to be true.

Chap. XIII. How the Gouernour departed from Apalache to seeke Yupaha, and

of that which happened vnto him.

On Wednesday the third of March, of the yeere 1540. the Gouernor departed

from Anaica Apalache to seeke Yupaha. He commanded his men to goe prouided

with Maiz for sixtie leagues of desert. The horsemen carried their Maiz on

their horses, and the footemen at their sides; because the Indians that

were for seruice, with their miserable life that they lead that winter,

being naked and in chaines, died for the most part. Within foure daies

iournie they came to a great Riuer: and they made a piragua or ferrie

bote, and because of the great current, they made a cable with chaines,

which they fastened on both sides of the Riuer; and the ferrie bote went

along by it; and the horses swam ouer, being drawne with capstans. Hauing

passed the Riuer, in a day and an halfe, they came to a towne called

Capachiqui. Vpon Friday the 11. of March, they found Indians in armes. The

next day fiue Christians went to seeke morters, which the Indians haue to

beate their Maiz, and they went to certaine houses on the backside of the

Campe enuironed with a wood: And within the wood were many Indians which

came to spie vs; of the which came other fiue and set vpon vs. One of the

Christians came running away, giuing an alarme vnto the Campe. Those which

were most readie answered the alarme. They found one Christian dead, and

three sore wounded. The Indians fled vnto a lake adioyning neere a very

thicke wood, where the horses could not enter. The Gouernour departed from

Capachiqui, and passed through a desert. On Wednesday the 21. of the

moneth he came to a towne called Toalli. And from thence forward there was

a difference in the houses. For those which were behind vs were thatched

with straw, and those of Toalli were couered with reeds in manner of

tiles. These houses are verie cleanly. Some of them had walles daubed with

clay, which shewed like a mudwall. In all the cold countrie the Indians

haue euery one a house for the winter daubed with clay within and without,

and the doore is very little: they shut it by night, and make fire within;

so that they are in it as warme as in a stoue: and so it continueth all

night that they need not clothes: and besides these, they haue others for

summer; and their kitchins neere them, where they make fire and bake their

bread: and they haue barbacoas wherein they keepe their Maiz; which is an

house set vp in the aire vpon foure stakes, boorded about like a chamber,

and the floore of it is of cane hurdles. The difference which Lords or

principall mens houses haue from the rest, besides they be greater, is,

that they haue great galleries in their fronts, and vnder them seates made

of canes in manner of benches: and round about them they haue many lofts,

wherein they lay vp that which the Indians doe giue them for tribute,

which is Maiz, Deeres skins, and mantles of the Countrie, which are like

blankets: they make them of the inner rinde of the barke of trees, and

some of a kind of grasse like vnto nettles, which being beaten, is like

vnto flaxe. The women couer themselues with these mantles; they put one

about them from the wast downeward; and another ouer their shoulder, with

their right arme out, like vnto the Egyptians. The men weare but one

mantle vpon their shoulders after the same manner: and haue their secrets

hid with a Deeres skin, made like a linen breech, which was wont to be

vsed in Spaine. The skins are well corried, and they giue them what colour

they list, so perfect, that if it be red, it seemeth a very fine cloath in

graine, and the blacke is most fine: and of the same leather they make

shooes; and they die their mantles in the same colours. The Gouernour

departed from Toalli the 24. of March: he came on Thursday at euening to a

small Riuer, where a bridge was made whereon the people passed, and Benit

Fernandez a Portugall fell off from it, and was drowned. Assoone as the

Gouernour had passed the Riuer, a little distance thence he found a towne

called Achese. The Indians had no notice of the Christians: they leaped

into a Riuer: some men and women were taken; among which was one that

vnderstood the youth which guided the Gouernour to Yupaha: whereby that

which he had reported was more confirmed. For they passed through

Countries of diuers languages, and some which he vnderstood not. The

Gouernour sent by one of the Indians that were taken to call the Cacique,

which was on the other side of the Riuer. Hee came and made this speech

following:

Right high, right mightie, and excellent Lord, those things which seldome

happen doe cause admiration. What then may the sight of your Lordship, and

your people doe to mee and mine, whom we neuer saw? especially being

mounted on such fierce beasts as your horses are, entring with such

violence and furie into my Countrie, without my knowledge of your comming.

It was a thing so strange, and caused such feare and terrour in our

mindes, that it was not in our power to stay and receiue your Lordship

with the solemnitie due to so high and renowmed a Prince, as your Lordship

is. And trusting in your greatnesse and singular vertues, I doe not onely

hope to be freed from blame, but also to receiue fauours: and the first

which I demand of your Lordship is, that you will vse me, my Countrie, and

subiects as your owne; and the second, that you will tell mee who you are,

and whence you come, and whither you goe, and what you seeke, that I the

better may serue you therein.

The Gouernour answered him that hee thanked him as much for his offer and

good will, as if hee had receiued it, and as if hee had offered him a

great treasure; and told him that he was the sonne of the Sun, and came

from those parts where he dwelt, and trauelled through that Countrie, and

sought the greatest Lord, and richest Prouince that was in it. The Cacique

told him; that farther forward dwelt a great Lord, and that his dominion

was called Ocute. He gaue him a guide, and an interpretour for that

Prouince. The Gouernour commanded his Indians to bee set free, and

trauelled through his Countrie vp a Riuer very well inhabited. He departed

from his towne the first of Aprill; and left a very high crosse of Wood

set vp in the middest of the market place: and because the time gaue no

more leasure, hee declared to him onely, that that crosse was a memorie of

the same, whereon Christ, which was God and man, and created the heauens

and the earth, suffered for our saluation: therefore he exhorted them that

they should reuerence it: and they made shew as though they would doe so.

The fourth of Aprill the Gouernour passed by a towne called Altamaca, and

the 10. of the moneth he came to Ocute. The Cacique sent him two thousand

Indians with a present, to wit, many conies, and partridges, bread of

Maiz, two hens, and many dogs: which among the Christians were esteemed as

if they had been fat wethers, because of the great want of flesh meate and

salt, and hereof in many places, and many times was great need; and they

were so scarse, that if a man fell sicke, there was nothing to cherish him

withall: and with a sicknesse, that in another place easilie might haue

been remedied, he consumed away till nothing but skinne and bones were

left: and they died of pure weaknes, some of them saying, If I had a slice

of meate, or a few cornes of salt, I should not die. The Indians want no

fleshmeat; for they kill with their arrowes many deere, hennes, conies,

and other wild fowle: for they are very cunning at it: which skill the

Christians had not: and though they had it, they had no leasure to vse it:

for the most of the time they spent in trauell, and durst not presume to

straggle aside. And because they were thus scanted of flesh, when sixe

hundred men that went with Soto, came to any towne, and found 30. or 40.

dogs, he that could get one and kill it, thought himselfe no small man:

and he that killed it, and gaue not his Captaine one quarter, if he knew

it, he frowned on him, and made him feele it, in the watches, or in any

other matter of labour that was offered, wherein hee might doe him a

displeasure. On Monday the 12. of Aprill, the Gouernour departed from

Ocute. (M618) The Cacique gaue him two hundred Tamenes, to wit, Indians to

carrie burdens: hee passed through a towne, the Lord whereof was named

Cofaqui, and came to a prouince of an Indian Lord, called Patofa, who,

because he was in peace with the Lord of Ocute, and with the other

bordering Lords, had many daies before notice of the Gouernour, and

desired to see him: He came to visit him, and made this speech following.

Mightie Lord, now with good reason I will craue of fortune to requite this

my so great prosperitie with some small aduersitie; and I will count my

selfe verie rich, seeing I haue obtained that, which in this world I most

desired, which is, to see, and bee able to doe your Lordship some seruice.

And although the tongue bee the image of that which is in the heart, and

that the contentment which I feele in my heart I cannot dissemble, yet is

it not sufficient wholly to manifest the same. Where did this your

countrie, which I doe gouerne, deserue to be visited of so soueraigne, and

so excellent a Prince, whom all the rest of the world ought to obey and

serue? And those which inhabite it being so base, what shall be the issue

of such happines, if their memorie doe not represent vnto them some

aduersitie that may betide them, according to the order of fortune? If

from this day forward we may be capable of this benefit, that your

Lordship will hold vs for your owne, we cannot faile to be fauoured and

maintained in true iustice and reason, and to haue the name of men. For

such as are void of reason and iustice, may be compared to brute beastes.

For mine owne part, from my very heart with reuerence due to such a

Prince, I offer my selfe vnto your Lordship, and beseech you; that in

reward of this my true good will, you will vouchsafe to make vse of mine

owne person, my countrie and subiects.

The Gouernour answered him, that his offers and good wil declared by the

effect, did highly please him, whereof he would alwaies be mindfull to

honour and fauour him as his brother. This countrie, from the first

peaceable Cacique, vnto the Prouince of Patofa, which were fiftie leagues,

is a fat countrie, beautifull, and very fruitfull, and very well watered,

and full of good Riuers. And from thence to the Port de Spirito Santo,

where wee first arriued in the land of Florida, (which may bee 350.

leagues little more or lesse) is a barren land, and the most of it groues

of wild Pine-trees, low and full of lakes, and in some places very hie and

thicke groues, whither the Indians that were in armes fled, so that no man

could finde them, neither could any horses enter into them. Which was an

inconuenience to the Christians, in regard of the victuals which they

found conueied away: and of the trouble which they had in seeking of

Indians to bee their guides.

Chap. XIIII. How the Gouernour departed from the Prouince of Patofa, and

went through a desert, where he and all his men fell into great distresse,

and extreme miserie.

In the towne of Patofa the youth, which the Gouernour carried with him for

an interpretour and a guide, began to fome at the mouth, and tumble on the

ground, as one possessed with the diuell: They said a Gospell ouer him;

and the fit left him. And he said, that foure daies iournie from thence

toward the Sunne rising, was the Prouince that he spake of. The Indians of

Patofa said, that toward that part they knew no habitation; but that

toward the Northwest, they knew a Prouince which was called Coça, a verie

plentifull countrie, which had very great townes in it. The Cacique told

the Gouernour, that if he would go thither, he would giue him guides and

Indians for burdens; and if he would goe whither the youth spake of, that

he would likewise giue him those that he needed: and so with louing words

and offers of courtesie, they tooke their leaues the one of the other. Hee

gaue him seuen hundred Indians to beare burdens. He tooke Maiz for foure

daies iournie. Hee trauelled sixe daies by a path which grew narrow more

and more, till it was lost altogether: (M619) He went where the youth did

lead him, and passed two Riuers which were waded: each of them was two

crossebowshot ouer: the water came to the stirrops, and had so great a

current, that it was needfull for the horsemen to stand one before

another, that the footemen might passe aboue them leaning vnto them.

(M620) He came to another Riuer of a greater current and largenes, which

was passed with more trouble, because the horses did swim at the comming

out about a lances length. Hauing passed this Riuer, the Gouernor came to

a groue of pinetrees, and threatned the youth, and made as though hee

would haue cast him to the dogges, because he had told him a lie, saying

it was but foure daies iournie, and they had trauelled nine, and euery day

7. or 8. leagues, and the men by this time were growne wearie and weake,

and the horses leane through the great scanting of the Maiz. The youth

said, that hee knew not where hee was. It saued him that he was not cast

to the dogges, that there was neuer another whom Iohn Ortiz did

vnderstand. The Gouernour with them two, and with some horsemen and

footemen, leauing the Campe in a groue of pinetrees, trauelled that day 5.

or 6. leagues to seek a way, and returned at night very comfortlesse, and

without finding any signe of way or towne. The next day there were sundrie

opinions deliuered, whether they should goe backe, or what they should

doe: and because backward the Countrie whereby they had passed was greatly

spoiled and destitute of Maiz, and that which they brought with them was

spent, and the men were very weake, and the horses likewise, they doubted

much whether they might come to any place where they might helpe

themselues. And besides this, they were of opinion, that going in that

sort out of order, that any Indians would presume to set vpon them, so

that with hunger, or with warre, they could not escape. The Gouernour

determined to send horsemen from thence euery way to seeke habitation: and

the next day he sent foure Captaines, euery one a sundrie way with eight

horsemen. At night they came againe, leading their horses, or driuing them

with a sticke before; for they were so wearie, that they could not lead

them; neither found they any way nor signe of habitation. The next day,

the Gouernour sent other foure with as many horsemen that could swim, to

passe the Ose and Riuers which they should find, and they had choice

horses the best that were in the Campe. The Captaines were Baltasar de

Gallégos, which went vp the Riuer; and Iohn Danusco, downe the Riuer:

Alfonso Romo, and Iohn Rodriguez Lobillo went into the inward parts of the

land. (M621) The Gouernour brought with him into Florida thirteene sowes,

and had by this time three hundred swine: He commanded euery man should

haue halfe a pound of hogs flesh euery day: and this hee did three or

foure daies after the Maiz was all spent. With this small quantitie of

flesh, and some sodden hearbs, with much trouble the people were

sustained. The Gouernour dismissed the Indians of Patofa, because hee had

no food to giue them; who desiring to accompanie and serue the Christians

in their necessitie, making shew that it grieued them very much to

returne, vntill they had left them in a peopled Countrie, returned to

their owne home. Iohn Danusco came on Sunday late in the euening, and

brought newes that he had found a little towne 12. or 13. leagues from

thence: he brought a woman and a boy that he tooke there. With his comming

and with those newes, the Gouernour and all the rest were so glad, that

they seemed at that instant to haue returned from death to life. Vpon

Monday the twentie sixe of Aprill, the Gouernour departed to goe to the

towne, which was called Aymay; and the Christians named it the towne of

Reliefe. He left where the Camp had lien at the foote of a Pinetree a

letter buried, and letters carued in the barke of the pine, the contents

whereof was this: Dig heere at the foot of this pine, and you shal find a

letter. And this he did, because when the Captaines came, which were sent

to seeke some habitation, they might see the letter, and know what was

become of the Gouernour, and which way he was gone. There was no other way

to the town, but the markes that Iohn Danusco left made vpon the trees.

The Gouernour with some of them that had the best horses came to it on the

Monday: And all the rest inforcing themselues the best they could, some of

them lodged within two leagues of the towne, some within three or foure,

euery one as he was able to goe, and his strength serued him. There was

found in the towne a storehouse full of the flowre of parched Maiz; and

some Maiz, which was distributed by allowance. Here were foure Indians

taken, and none of them would confesse any other thing, but that they knew

of none other habitation. (M622) The Gouernour commanded one of them to be

burned; and presently another confessed, that two daies iourney from

thence, there was a Prouince that was called Cutifa Chiqui. Vpon Wednesday

came the Captaines Baltasar de Gallégos, Alfonso Romo, and Iohn Rodriguez

Lobillo: for they had found the letter, and followed the way which the

Gouernour had taken toward the towne. Two men of Iohn Rodriguez companie

were lost, because their horses tired: the Gouernour checked him very sore

for leauing them behind, and sent to seeke them: and assoone as they came,

he departed toward Cutifa Chiqui. In the way three Indians were taken,

which said, that the Ladie of that Countrie had notice alreadie of the

Christians, and staied for them in a towne of hers. The Gouernour sent by

one of them to offer her his friendship, and to aduertise her how he was

comming thither. The Gouernour came vnto the towne: and presently there

came foure canoes to him; in one of them came a sister of the Ladie, and

approching to the Gouernour she said these words:

Excellent Lord, my sister sendeth vnto you by me to kisse your Lordships

hands, and to signifie vnto you, that the cause why she came not in

person, is, that she thinketh to do you greater seruice staying behind, as

she doth, giuing order, that with all speed, al her canoes be readie, that

your Lordship may passe the Riuer, and take your rest, which shall be

presentlie performed.

The Gouernour gaue her thankes, and she returned to the other side of the

Riuer. Within a little while the Ladie came out of the towne in a Chaire,

whereon certaine of the principall Indians brought her to the Riuer. She

entred into a barge, which had the sterne tilted ouer, and on the floore

her mat readie laied with two cushions vpon it one vpon another, where she

sate her downe; and with her came her principall Indians in other barges,

which did wait vpon her. She went to the place where the Gouernour was,

and at her comming she made this speech following:

Excellent Lord, I wish this comming of your Lordship into these your

Countries, to be most happie: although my power be not answerable to my

wil, and my seruices be not according to my desire, nor such as so high a

Prince, as your Lordship, deserueth; yet since the good will is rather to

be accepted, then all the treasures of the world, that without it are

offered, with most vnfaileable and manifest affection, I offer you my

person, lands, and subiects, and this small seruice.

And therewithal she presented vnto him great store of clothes of the

Countrie, which shee brought in other canoes; to wit, mantles and skinnes;

and tooke from her owne necke a great cordon of perles, and cast it about

the necke of the Gouernour, entertaining him with very gracious speeches

of loue and courtesie, and commanded canoes to be brought thither, wherein

the Gouernour and his people passed the Riuer. (M623) Assoone as hee was

lodged in the towne, she sent him another present of many hens. This

Countrie was verie pleasant, fat, and hath goodly meadows by the Riuers.

Their woods are thin, and ful of Walnut trees and Mulberrie trees. They

said the sea was two daies journey from thence. Within a league, and a

halfe a league about this towne, was great townes dispeopled, and

ouergrowne with grasse; which shewed, that they had been long without

inhabitants. The Indians said, that two yeere before there was a plague in

that countrie, and that they remooued to other townes. There was in their

storehouses great quantitie of clothes, mantles of yarne made of the

barkes of trees, and others made of feathers, white, greene red, and

yellow, very fine after their vse, and profitable for winter. There were

also many Deeres skinnes, with many compartiments traced in them, and some

of them made into hose, stockings and shooes. And the Ladie perceiuing,

that the Christians esteemed the perles, aduised the Gouernour to send to

search certaine graues that were in that towne, and that hee should find

many: and that if hee would send to the dispeopled townes, hee might load

all his horses. They sought the graues of the towne, and there found

fourteene rooues of perles, and little babies and birdes made of them. The

people were browne, well made, and well proportioned, and more ciuill then

any others that were seene in all the countrie of Florida, and all of them

well shod and clothed. The youth told the Gouernour, that hee began now to

enter into the land which hee spake of: and some credit was giuen him that

it was so, because hee vnderstood the language of the Indians: and hee

requested that hee might bee christened, for hee said he desired to become

a Christian: Hee was christened, and named Peter; and the Gouernour

commanded him to be loosed from a chaine, in which vntill that time he had

gone. This countrie, as the Indians reported, had beene much inhabited,

and had the fame of a good countrie. And, as it seemeth, the youth which

was the Gouernours guide, had heard of it, and that which he knew by

heresay, hee affirmed that hee had seene, and augmented at his pleasure.

In this towne was found a dagger, and beades, that had belonged to

Christians. (M624) The Indians reported that Christians had been in the

hauen, which was two daies iourney from this towne, many yeeres agoe. Hee

that came thither was the Gouernour, the Licenciate Lucas Vasquez de

Ayllon, which went to conquer this countrie, and at his comming to the

Port hee died; and there was a diuision, quarrels and slaughters betweene

some principall men which went with him, for the principall gouernment:

And without knowing anything of the countrie they returned home to

Hispaniola. All the company thought it good to inhabite that countrie,

because it was in a temperat climate: And that if it were inhabited, al

the shippes of New Spaine, of Peru, Santa Martha, and Tierra firme in

their returne for Spaine, might well touch there: because it was in their

way; and because it was a good countrie, and sited fit to raise

commoditie. The Gouernour, since it was his intent to seeke another

treasure, like that of Atabalipa Lord of Peru, was not contented with a

good countrie, nor with perles, though many of them were worth their

weight in gold. And if the countrie had been diuided among the Christians,

those which the Indians had fished for afterward, would haue been of more

value; for those which they had, because they burned them in the fire, did

leese their colour. The Gouernour answered them, that vrged him to

inhabit, That in all the countrie there were not victuals to susteine his

men one moneth; and that it was needfull to resort to the Port of Ocus,

where Maldanado was to stay for them: and that if no richer Countrie were

found, they might returne againe to that whensoeuer they would: and in the

meane time the Indians would sow their fields, and it would be better

furnished with Maiz. He inquired of the Indians, whether they had notice

of any great Lord farther into the land. They told him, that 12. daies

iournie from thence, there was a Prouince called Chiaha, subiect to the

Lord of Coça. Presently the Gouernour determined to seeke that land. And

being a sterne man, and of few words, though he was glad to sift and know

the opinion of all men, yet after hee had deliuered his owne, he would not

be contraried, and alwaies did what liked himselfe, and so all men did

condescend vnto his will. And though it seemed an errour to leaue that

Countrie, (for others might haue been sought round about, where the people

might haue been sustained, vntill the haruest had been readie there, and

the Maiz gathered) yet there was none that would say any thing against

him, after they knew his resolution.

Chap. XV. How the Gouernour departed from Cutifa-Chiqui to seeke the

Prouince of Coça; and what happened vnto him in the way.

The Gouernour departed from Cutifa-Chiqui the third day of May. And

because the Indians had reuolted, and the will of the Ladie was perceiued,

that if she could, she would depart without giuing any guides or men for

burdens, for the wrongs which the Christians had done to the Indians: (for

there neuer want some among many of the base sort, that for a little doe

put themselues and others in danger of vndoing.) The Gouernour commanded

her to be kept in safegard, and carried with him, not with so good vsage

as she deserued for the good wil she shewed and good entertainment that

she had made him. And he verified that old prouerb which saith; For

weldoing I receiue euill. And so he carried her on foot with his bondwomen

to looke vnto her. In all the townes where the Gouernour passed, the Ladie

commanded the Indians to come and carrie the burdens from one towne to

another. We passed through her Countrie an hundred leagues, in which, as

we saw, she was much obeyed; For the Indians did all that she commanded

them with great efficacie and diligence. Peter the youth that was our

guide, said, that she was not the Ladie her selfe, but a neece of hers,

which came to that towne to execute certaine principal men by commandement

of the Ladie, which had withheld her tribute: which words were not

beleeued, 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. (M625) In seuen daies space the Gouernour

came to a Prouince called Chalaque, the poorest Country of Maiz that was

seene in Florida. The Indians fed vpon rootes and herbes which they seeke

in the fields, and vpon wild beasts, which they kil with their bowes and

arrowes: and it is a verie gentle people. All of them goe naked, and are

very leane. There was a Lord, which for a great present, brought the

Gouernour two Deeres skins: and there were in that Countrie many wild

hennes. In one towne they made him a present of 700. hennes, and so in

other townes they sent him those which they had or could get. From this

Prouince to another, which is called Xualla, he spent fiue daies: here he

found very little Maiz; and for this cause, though the people were

wearied, and the horses very weake, he staied no more but two daies. From

Ocute to Cutifa-chiqui, may bee some hundred and thirtie leagues, whereof

80. are wildernesse. From Cutifa-chiqui to Xualla, two hundred and fiftie,

and it is an hillie Countrie. The Gouernour departed from Xualla toward

Guaxule: he passed very rough and hie hilles. In that iournie, the Ladie

of Cutifa-chiqui (whom the Gouernour carried with him, as is afore said,

with purpose to carrie her to Guaxule, because her territorie reached

thither) going on a day with the bondwomen which lead her, went out of the

way, and entred into a wood, saying, she went to ease her selfe, and so

she deceiued them, and hid her selfe in the wood; and though they sought

her they could not find her. She carried away with her a little chest made

of canes in manner of a coffer, which they call Petaca, full of vnbored

perles. Some which could iudge of them, said, that they were of great

value. An Indian woman that waited on her did carrie them. The Gouernour

not to discontent her altogether, left them with her, making account that

in Guaxule he would ask them of her, when he gaue her leaue to returne:

which coffer she carried away, and went to Xualla with three slaues which

fled from the Campe, and one horseman which remained behind, who falling

sicke of an ague went out of the way, and was lost. This man, whose name

was Alimamos, dealt with the slaues to change their euill purpose, and

returne with him to the Christians: which two of them did; and Alimamos

and they ouertooke the Gouernour 50. leagues from thence in a Prouince

called Chiaha; and reported how the Ladie remained in Xualla with a slaue

of Andrew de Vasconcellos, which would not come backe with them, and that

of a certaintie they liued as man and wife together, and meant to goe both

to Cutifa-chiqui. Within fiue daies the Gouernour came to Guaxule. The

Indians there gaue him a present of 300 dogges, because they saw the

Christians esteeme them, and sought them to feed on them: for among them

they are not eaten. In Guaxule, and all that way was very little Maiz: The

Gouernour sent from thence an Indian with a message to the Cacique of

Chiaha, to desire him to gather some Maiz thither, that he might rest a

few daies in Chiaha. The Gouernour departed from Guaxule, and in two daies

iournie came to a towne called Canasagua. There met him on the way 20.

Indians euery one laden with a basket full of Mulberries: for there be

many, and those very good, from Culifa-chiqui thither, and so forward in

other Prouinces, and also nuts and plummes. And the trees grow in the

fields without planting or dressing them, and are as big and rancke, as

though they grew in gardens digged and watered. From the time that the

Gouernour departed from Canasagua, hee iournied fiue daies through a

desert; and two leagues before hee came to Chiaha, there met him 15.

Indians loaded with Maiz, which the Cacique had sent; and they told him on

his behalfe that he waited his comming with 20. barnes full of it; and

farther that himselfe his countrie, and subiects, and al things els were

at his seruice. On the 5. day of Iune, the Gouernour entred into Chiaha:

The Cacique voided his owne houses, in which he lodged and receiued him

with much ioy, saying these words following:

Mightie and excellent Lord, I hold my selfe for so happie a man, in that

it hath pleased your Lordship to vse me, that nothing could haue happened

vnto me of more contentment, nor that I would haue esteemed so much. From

Guaxule your Lordship sent vnto me, that I should prepare Maiz for you in

this towne for two moneths: Here I haue for you 20. barnes full of the

choisest that in all the countrie could be found. If your lordship bee not

entertained by mee in such sort, as is fit for so hie a Prince, respect my

tender age, which excuseth me from blame, and receiue my good will, which

with much loyaltie, truth, and sinceritie, I will alwaies shew in any

thing, which shall concerne your Lordships seruice.

The Gouernour answered him, that he thanked him very much for his seruice

and offer, and that he would alwaies account him as a brother. There was

in this towne much butter in gourds melted like oile: they said it was the

fat of beares. There was found also great store of oile of walnuts, which

was cleare as butter, and of good taste, and a pot full of honie of bees,

which neither before or afterward was seene in all the countrie. The towne

was in an Island betweene two armes of a Riuer, and was seated nigh one of

them. The Riuer diuided it selfe into those two branches two crossebow

shot aboue the towne, and meeteth againe a league beneath the same. The

plaine betweene both the branches is sometimes one crosse-bowe shot ouer.

The branches are very broad, and both of them may be waded ouer. There

were all along them verie good meadowes, and many fields sowne with Maiz.

And because the Indians staid in their towns the Gouernour only lodged in

the houses of the Cacique, and his people in the fields; where there was

euer a tree, euerie one tooke one for himselfe. Thus the camp lay

separated one from another, and out of order. The Gouernour winked at it,

because the Indians were in peace, and because it was very hot, and the

people should haue suffered great extremities, if it had not bin so.

(M626) The horses came thither so weake, that for feeblenesse, they were

not able to carrie their masters: because that from Cutifa-chiqui, they

alwaies trauelled with very little prouender, and were hunger-starued and

tired euer since they came from the desert of Ocute. And because the most

of them were not in case to vse in battell, though need should require,

they sent them to feed in the night a quarter of a league from the Camp.

The Christians were there in great danger, because that if at this time

the Indians had set vpon them, they had been in euill case to haue

defended themselues. The Gouernour rested there thirtie daies, in which

time, because the Countrie was very fruitfull, the horses grew fat. At the

time of his departure, by the importunitie of some, which would haue more

then was reason, hee demanded of the Cacique 30. women to make slaues of.

Hee answered that hee would conferre with his chiefe men. And before hee

returned answere, one night all of them with their wiues and children

forsooke the towne, and fled away. The next day the Gouernour purposing to

goe to seeke them, the Cacique came vnto him, and at his comming vsed

these words vnto the Gouernour:

Mightie Lord, with shame and feare of your Lordship, because my subiects

against my will haue done amisse in absenting themselues, I went my way

without your license; and knowing the errour which I haue committed, like

a loyall subiect, I come to yeeld my selfe into your power, to dispose of

mee at your owne pleasure. For my subiects do not obey mee, nor do any

thing but what an Vncle of mine commandeth, which gouerneth this Countrie

for me, vntill I be of a perfect age. If your lordship will pursue them,

and execute on them that, which for their disobedience they deserue, I

will be your guide, since at this present my fortune will not suffer me to

performe any more.

(M627) Presently the Gouernour with 30. horsemen, and as many footmen,

went to seeke the Indians, and by passing by some townes of the principall

Indians which had absented themselues, hee cut and destroyed great fields

of Maiz; and went vp the Riuer, where the Indians were in an Island, where

the horsemen could not come at them. There he sent them word by an Indian

to returne to their towne and feare nothing, and that they should giue him

men to carrie burdens, as al those behind had done; for he would haue no

Indian women, seeing they were so loth to part with them. The Indians

accepted his request, and came to the Gouernour to excuse themselues; and

so all of them returned to their towne. A Cacique of a Prouince called

Coste, came to this towne to visit the Gouernour. (M628) After hee had

offered himselfe, and passed with him some words of tendring his seruice

and curtesie; the Gouernour asking him whether he had notice of any rich

Countrie? he said, yea: to wit, “that toward the North, there was a

Prouince named Chisca: and that there was a melting of copper, and of

another metall of the same colour, saue that it was finer, and of a farre

more perfect colour, and farre better to the sight and that they vsed it

not so much, because it was softer.” And the selfe same thing was told the

Gouernour in Cutifa-chiqui; where we saw some little hatchets of copper,

which were said to haue a mixture of gold. (M629) But in that part the

Countrie was not well peopled, and they said there were mountaines, which

the horses could not passe: and for that cause the Gouernour would not goe

from Cutifa-chiqui directly thither: And hee made account, that trauelling

through a peopled Countrie, when his men and horses should be in better

plight, and hee were better certified of the truth of the thing, he would

returne toward it, by mountaines, and a better inhabited Countrie, whereby

hee might haue better passage. (M630) He sent two Christians from Chiaha

with certain Indians which knew the Countrie of Chisca, and the language

thereof to view it, and to make report of that which they should find;

where he told them that he would tarrie for them.

Chap. XVI. How the Gouernour departed from Chiaha, and at Coste was in

danger to haue been slaine by the hands of the Indians, and by a

stratageme escaped the same: And what more happened vnto him in this

iourney, and how he came to Coça.

When the Gouernour was determined to depart from Chiaha to Coste, he sent

for the Cacique to come before him, and with gentle words tooke his leaue

of him, and gaue him certaine things, wherewith he rested much contented:

In seuen daies he came to Coste. The second of Iulie he commanded his

campe to be pitched two crossebow shot from the towne: and with eight men

of his guard he went where he found the Cacique, which to his thinking

receiued him with great loue. As hee was talking with him, there went from

the campe certaine footemen to the towne to seeke some Maiz, and not

contented with it, they ransacked and searched the houses, and tooke what

they found. With this despite the Indians began to rise and take their

armes: and some of them with cudgils in their hands, ran vpon fiue or sixe

Christians, which had done them wrong, and beat them at their pleasure.

(M631) The Gouernour seeing them al in an vprore, and himselfe among them

with so few Christians, to escape their hands vsed a stratagem, farre

against his owne disposition, being as hee was very francke and open: and

though it grieued him very much that any Indian should be so bold, as with

reason, or without reason to despise the Christians, he tooke vp a cudgel,

and tooke their parts against his owne men; which was a meanes to quiet

them: And presently he sent word by a man very secretly to the Campe, that

some armed men should come toward the place where he was; and hee tooke

the Cacique by the hand, vsing very mild words vnto him, and with some

principall Indians that did accompanie him, he drew them out of the towne

into a plaine way, and vnto the sight of the Campe, whither by little and

little with good discretion the Christians began to come and to gather

about them. Thus the Gouernour led the Cacique, and his chiefe men vntill

he entred with them into the Campe: and neere vnto his tent, hee commanded

them to be put in safe custodie: and told them, that they should not

depart without giuing him a guide and Indians for burthens, and till

certaine sicke Christians were come, which he had commanded to come downe

the Riuer in canoes from Chiaha; and those also which he had sent to the

Prouince of Chisca: (for they were not returned; and he feared that the

Indians had slaine the one, and the other.) Within three daies after,

those which were sent to Chisca returned, and made report, that the

Indians had carried them through a countrie so poore of Maiz, and so

rough, and ouer so hie mountaines, that it was impossible for the armie to

trauell that way; and that seeing the way grew very long, and that they

lingered much, they consulted to returne from a little poore towne, where

they saw nothing that was of any profit, and brought an oxe hide, which

the Indians gaue them, as thinne as a calues skinne, and the haire like a

soft wool, betweene the course and fine wooll of sheepe. The Cacique gaue

a guide, and men for burdens, and departed with the Gouernours leaue. The

Gouernour departed from Coste the ninth of Iulie, and lodged at a towne

called Tali: the Casique came foorth to receiue him on the way, and made

this speech:

Excellent Lord and Prince, worthie to be serued and obeyed of all the

Princes in the world; howsoeuer for the most part by the outward

phisiognomie, the inward vertue may bee iudged, and that who you are, and

of what strength was knowne vnto mee before now: I will not inferre

hereupon how meane I am in your presence, to hope that my poore seruices

will be gratefull and acceptable: since whereas strength faileth, the will

doth not cease to be praised and accepted. And for this cause I presume to

request your Lordship, that you will be pleased onely to respect the same,

and consider wherein you will command my seruice in this your countrie.

The Gouernour answered him, that his good will and offer was as acceptable

vnto him, as if he had offered him all the treasures of the world, and

that hee would alwaies intreate, fauour, and esteeme him as if he were his

owne brother. The Cacique commanded prouision necessarie for two daies,

while the Gouernour was there, to be brought thither: and at the time of

his departure, he gaue him foure women and two men, which hee had need of

to beare burthens. The Gouernour trauelled sixe daies through many townes

subiect to the Cacique of Coça: and as he entred into his Countrie many

Indians came vnto him euery day from the Cacique, and met him on the way

with messages, one going, and another comming. Hee came to Coça vpon

Friday, the 26. of Iulie. The Cacique came foorth to receiue him two

crossebow shot from the towns in a chaire, which his principall men

carried on their shoulders, sitting vpon a cushion, and couered with a

garment of Marterns, of the fashion and bignes of a womans huke: hee had

on his head a diadem of feathers, and round about him many Indians playing

vpon flutes, and singing. Assoone as he came vnto the Gouernour, he did

his obeysance, and vttered these words following:

Excellent and mightie Lord, aboue all them of the earth; although I come

but now to receiue you, yet I haue receiued you many daies agoe in my

heart, to wit, from the day wherein I had first notice of your Lordship;

with so great desire to serue you, with so great pleasure and contentment,

that this which I make shew of is nothing in regard of that which is in my

heart neither can it haue any kind of comparison. This you may hold for

certaine, that to obtaine the dominion of the whole world, would not haue

reioyced me so much, as your sight, neither would I haue held it for so

great a felicitie. Doe not looke for me to offer you that which is your

owne: to wit, my person, my lands, and subiects: onely I busie my selfe in

commanding my men with all diligence and due reuerence to welcome you from

hence to the towne with playing and singing, where your Lordship shall be

lodged and attended ypon by my selfe and them: and all that I possesse,

your Lordship shall vse as it were your owne. For your Lordship shall doe

mee a verie great fauour in so doing.

The Gouernour gaue him thankes, and with great ioy they both were

conferring together, till they came to the towne: and he commanded his

Indians to void their houses, wherein the Gouernour and his men lodged.

There was in the barnes, and in the fields, great store of Maiz and French

Beanes: The Country was greatly inhabited with many great townes, and many

sowne fields, which reach from the one to the other. It was pleasant, fat,

full of good meadowes vpon Riuers. There were in the fields, many Plum

trees, aswell of such as grow in Spaine, as of the Countrie: and wild tall

vines, that runne vp 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 kirnels in them. The Gouernour vsed to set a guard ouer the

Caciques, because they should not absent themselues, and carried them with

him, till he came out of their Countries, because that carrying them along

with him, hee looked to find people in the townes, and they gaue him

guides, and men to carrie burdens: and before hee went out of their

Countries, he gaue them licence to returne to their houses, and to their

porters likewise, assoone as he came to any other Lordship, where they

gaue him others. The men of Coça seeing their Lord detained, tooke it in

euill part, and reuolted and hid themselues in the woods, aswell those of

the towne of the Cacique, as those of the other townes of his principall

subjects. The Gouernour sent out foure Captaines, euery one his way to

seeke them. They tooke many men and women, which were put into chaines:

They seeing the hurt which they receiued, and how little they gained in

absenting themselues, came againe, promising to do whatsoeuer they were

commanded. Of those which were taken prisoners, some principall men were

set at libertie, whom the Cacique demanded: and euery one that had any,

carried the rest in chaines like slaues, without letting them goe to their

Countrie: neither did any returne, but some few, whose fortune helped them

with the good diligence which they vsed to file off their chaines by

night, or such as in their trauelling could slippe aside out of the way,

seeing any negligence in them that kept them: some escaped away with the

chaines, and with the burdens, and clothes which they carried.

Chap. XVII. How the Gouernour went from Coça to Tascaluca.

The Gouernour rested in Coça 25. daies. He departed from thence the 20. of

August to seeke a Prouince called Tascaluca: hee carried with him the

Cacique of Coça. He passed that day by a great towne called Tallimuchase,

the people were fled: he lodged halfe a league farther neere a brooke. The

next day he came to a towne called Ytaua, subiect to Coça. Hee staied

there sixe daies because of a Riuer that passed by it, which at that time

was very hie; and assoone as the Riuer suffered him to passe, he set

forward, and lodged at a towne named Vllibahali. There came to him on the

way, on the Caciques behalfe of that Prouince, ten or twelue principall

Indians to offer him his seruice; all of them had their plumes of

feathers, and bowes and arrowes. The Gouernour comming to the towne with

twelue horsemen, and some footemen of his guard, leauing his people a

crossebow shot from the towne, entred into it, hee found all the Indians

with their weapons: and as farre as he could ghesse, they seemed to haue

some euill meaning. It was knowne afterward, that they were determined to

take the Cacique of Coça, from the Gouernour, if hee had requested it.

(M632) The Gouernour commanded all his people to enter the towne, which

was walled about, and neere vnto it passed a small Riuer. The wall, aswell

of that, as of others, which afterward wee saw, was of great posts thrust

deepe into the ground and very rough, and many long railes as big as ones

arme laid acrosse between them, and the wall was about the height of a

lance, and it was daubed within and without with clay, and had loope

holes. On the other side of the Riuer was a towne, where at that present

the Cacique was. The Gouernour sent to call him, and hee came presently.

After he had passed with the Gouernour some words of offering his

seruices, he gaue him such men for his cariages as he needed, and thirtie

women for slaues. In that place was a Christian lost, called Mançano, home

in Salamanca, of noble parentage, which went astray to seeke for grapes,

whereof there is great store, and those very good. The day that the

Gouernour departed from thence, he lodged at a towne subiect to the Lord

of Vllibahali: and the next day hee came to another towne called Toasi.

The Indians gaue the Gouernour thirtie women, and such men for his

cariages as he needed. Hee trauelled ordinarily 5. or 6. leagues a day

when he trauelled through peopled Countries: and going through deserts, he

marched as fast as he could, to eschew the want of Maiz. From Toasi,

passing through some townes subiect to a Cacique, which was Lord of a

prouince called Tallise, hee trauelled fiue daies: He came to Tallise the

18. of September: The towne was great, and situated neere vnto a maine

Riuer. On the other side of the Riuer were other townes, and many fields

sowne with Maiz. On both sides it was a very plentifull Countrie, and had

store of Maiz: they had voided the towne. The Gouernour commanded to call

the Cacique; who came, and betweene them passed some words of loue and

offer of his seruices, and hee presented vnto him 40. Indians. There came

to the Gouernour in this towne a principall Indian in the behalfe of the

Cacique of Tascaluca, and made this speech following:

Mightie, vertuous, and esteemed Lord, the great Cacique of Tascaluca my

Lord, sendeth by me to kisse your Lordships hands, and to let you

vnderstand, that he hath notice, how you iustly rauish with your

perfections and power, all men on the earth; and that euerie one by whom

your Lordship passeth doth serue and obey you; which he acknowledgeth to

be due vnto you, and desireth, as his life, to see, and to serue your

Lordship. For which cause by me he offereth himselfe, his lands and

subiects, that when your Lordship pleaseth to go through his Countrie, you

may be receiued with all peace and loue, serued and obeyed; and that in

recompence of the desire he hath to see you, you will doe him the fauour

to let him know when you will come: for how much the sooner, so much the

greater fauour he shall receiue.

The Gouernour receiued and dispatched him graciously, giuing him beades,

which among them were not much esteemed, and some other thinges to carrie

to his Lord. And he gaue licence to the Cacique of Coça to returne home to

his owne Countries. The Cacique of Tallise gaue him such men for burthens

as he needed. And after he had rested there 20. daies, hee departed thence

toward Tascaluca. That day when he went from Tallise, hee lodged at a

great towne called Casiste. And the next day passed by another, and came

to a small towne of Tascaluca; and the next day hee camped in a wood two

leagues from the towne where the Cacique resided, and was at that time.

And he sent the Master of the Camp, Luys de Moscoso, with 15. horsemen, to

let him know how hee was comming. The Cacique was in his lodgings vnder a

Canopie: and without doores, right against his lodgings, in an high place,

they spread a mat for him, and two cushions one vpon another, where he sat

him downe, and his Indians placed themselues round about him, somewhat

distant from him, so that they made a place, and a void roome where he

sate: and his chiefest men were neerest to him, and one with a shadow of

Deeres skinne, which keept the Sunne from him, being round, and of the

bignes of a target, quartered with black and white, hauing a rundell in

the middest: a farre off it seemed to be of taffata, because the colours

were very perfect. It was set on a small staffe stretched wide out. This

was the deuice which hee carried in his warres. He was a man of a very

tall stature, of great limmes, and spare, and well proportioned, and was

much feared of his neighbours and subiects. He was Lord of many

territories and much people: In his countenance hee was very graue. After

the Master of the Campe had spoken with him, hee and those that went with

him coursed their horses, pransing them to and fro, and now and then

toward the place where the Cacique was, who with much grauitie and

dissimulation now and then lifted vp his eies, and beheld them as it were

with disdaine. At the Gouernours comming, hee made no offer at all to

rise. The Gouernour tooke him by the hand, and both of them sate downe

together on a seate which was vnder the cloth of estate. The Cacique said

these words vnto him:

Mighty Lord, I bid your Lordship right hartily welcome. I receiue as much

pleasure and contentment with your sight, as if you were my brother whom I

dearly loued: vpon this point it is not needfull to vse many reasons;

since it is no discretion to speake that in many wordes, which in few may

be vttered. How much the greater the will is, so much more giueth it name

to the workes, and the workes giue testimonie of the truth. Now touching

my will, by it you shall know, how certaine and manifest it is, and how

pure inclination I haue to serue you. Concerning the fauour which you did

me, in the things which you sent me, I make as much account of them as is

reason to esteeme them: and chiefly because they were yours. Now see what

seruice you will command me.

The Gouernor satisfied him with sweet words, and with great breuitie. When

hee departed from thence he determined to carrie him along with him for

some causes, and at two daies iournie he came to a towne called Piache, by

which there passed a great Riuer. The Gouernour demanded canoes of the

Indians: they said, they had them not, but that they would make rafts of

canes and drie timber, on which he might passe well enough. And they made

them with all diligence and speed, and they gouerned them; and because the

water went very slow, the Gouernour and his people passed very well.

From the Port de Spirito Santo to Apalache, which is about an hundred

leagues, the Gouernour went from East to West: And from Apalache to

Cutifa-chiqui, which are 430. leagues, from the Southwest to the

Northeast: and from Cutifa-chiqui to Xualla, which are about two hundred

and fiftie leagues, from the South to the North: And from Xualla to

Tascaluca, which are two hundred and fiftie leagues more, an hundred and

ninetie of them he trauelled from East to West, to wit, to the Prouince of

Coça: and the other 60. from Coça to Tascaluca from the North to the

South.