passed through a desert, from whence, for want of a guide, and an
interpretour, he returned to Nilco.
The Gouernour departed from Nondacao toward Soacatino, and in fiue
daies iournie came to a Prouince called Aays. The Indians which
inhabited it, had no notice of the Christians: but assoone as they saw
that they entred into their country, they assembled themselues: and as
they came together 50. or 100. they came foorth to fight: while some
fought, others came and charged our men another way, and while they
followed some, others followed them. The fight lasted the greatest part
of the day, till they came to their towne. Some horses and men were
wounded, but not to any hurt of their trauelling: for there was no wound
that was dangerous. There was a great spoile made of the Indians. That
day that the Gouernour departed from thence, the Indian that guided him
said, that in Nondacao he had heard say, that the Indians of Soacatino
had seene other Christians, whereof they all were very glad: thinking it
might be true, and that they might haue entred into those parts by Nueua
Espanna; and that if it were so, it was in their owne hand to goe out of
Florida, if they found nothing of profit: for they feared they should
lose themselues in some wildernes. This Indian led him two daies out of
the way. The Gouernour commanded to torture him. He said, that the
Cacique of Nondacao, his Lord, had commanded him to guide them so,
because they were his enemies, and that hee was to doe as his Lord
commanded him. The Gouernour commanded him to be cast to the dogs: and
another guided him to Soacatino, whither hee came the day following. It
was a verie poore Countrie: there was great want of Maiz in that place.
Hee asked the Indians, whether they knew of any other Christians. They
said, that a little from thence toward the South they heard they were.
[Sidenote: 20. daies trauell toward the South.] He trauelled 20. daies
through a Countrie euill inhabited, where they suffered great scarcitie
and trouble. For that little Maiz which the Indians had, they had hidden
and buried in the woods, where the Christians, after they were well
wearied with their trauell, at the end of their iournie went to seeke by
digging what they should eat. [Sidenote: Guasco: here they found some
Turkie stones and mantles of cotton wooll. Chap. 35.] At last, comming
to a Prouince that was called Guasco, they found Maiz, wherewith they
loaded their horses, and the Indians that they had. From thence they
went to another towne called Naquiscoça. The Indians said, they had no
notice of any other Christians. The Gouernor commanded to torment them.
They said, that they came first to another Lordship, which was called
Naçacahoz, and from thence returned again to the West, from whence they
came. The Gouernour came in two daies to Naçacahoz: Some women were
taken there: among whom there was one, which said, that she had seene
Christians, and had been taken by them, and had run away. The Gouernour
sent a Captaine with 15. horsemen to the place where the women said she
had seene them, to see if there were any signe of horses, or any token
of their being there. After they had gone three or foure leagues the
woman that guided them said, that all that she had told them was vntrue.
And so they held all the rest that the Indians had said, of seeing
Christians in the land of Florida. And, because the Countrie that way
was poore of Maiz, and toward the West, there was no notice of any
habitation, they returned to Guasco. The Indians told them there, that
10. daies iournie from thence toward the West, was a Riuer called
Daycao; whither they went sometimes a hunting and killing of Deere: and
that they had seene people on the other side, but knew not what
habitation was there. [Sidenote: The Riuer of Daycayo: which seemeth to
be the Rio del oro.] There the Christians tooke such Maiz as they found
and could carrie, and, going 10. daies iournie through a wildernesse,
they came to the Riuer which the Indians had told them of. Ten horsemen,
which the Gouernour had sent before, passed ouer the same, and went in a
way that led to the Riuer, and lighted vpon a companie of Indians that
dwelt in verie little cabins: who, assoone as they saw them, tooke
themselues to flight, leauing that which they had; all which was nothing
but miserie and pouertie. The Countrie was so poore, that among them all
there was not found halfe a peck of Maiz. The horsemen tooke two
Indians, and returned with them to the Riuer, where the Gouernour staied
for them. He sought to learne of them what habitation was toward the
West. There was none in the Camp that could vnderstand their language.
The Gouernour assembled the Captaines and principall persons, to
determine with their aduice what they should doe. And the most part
said, that they thought it best to returne backe to Rio grande, or the
Great Riuer of Guachoya; because that in Nilco and thereabout was store
of Maiz: saying, that they would make pinaces that winter, and the next
sommer passe down the Riuer to seaward in them, and comming to the Sea
they would goe along the coast to Nueua Espanna. For though it seemed a
doubtfull thing and difficult, by that which they had already alleaged,
yet it was the last remedie they had. [Sidenote: No trauelling by land
without an interpretour.] For by land they could not goe for want of an
Interpretour. And they held, that the countrie beyond the Riuer of
Daycao, where they were, was that which Cabeça de Vaca mentioned in his
relation that he passed of the Indians, which liued like the Alarbes,
hauing no setled place, and fed vpon Tunas and rootes of the fields, and
wilde beasts that they killed. Which if it were so, if they should enter
into it and finde no victuals to passe the winter, they could not chuse
but perish. For they were entred alreadie into the beginning of October:
and if they staied any longer, they were not able to returne for raine
and snowes, nor to sustaine themselues in so poore a countrey. The
Gouernour (that desired long to see himselfe in a place where hee might
sleepe his full sleep, rather then to conquer and gouerne a countrie
where so many troubles presented themselues) presently returned back
that same way that he came.
Chap. XXXV.
How they returned to Nilco, and came to Minoya, where they agreed
to make ships to depart out of the land of Florida.
When that which was determined was published in the Campe, there were
many that were greatly grieued at it: for they held the Sea voyage as
doubtfull, for the euill meanes they had, and of as great danger, as the
trauelling by land: and they hoped to finde some rich countrie before
they came to the land of the Christians, by that which Cabeça de Vaca
had told the Emperour: and that was this; [Sidenote: Gold, siluer, and
precious stones in Florida.] That after hee had found clothes made of
cotton wooll, hee saw gold and siluer, and stones of great value. And
they had not yet come where hee had been. For vntill that place hee
alwaies trauelled by the Sea coast: and they trauelled farre within the
land; and that going toward the West, of necessitie they should come
where hee had been. For he said, That in a certain place he trauelled
many daies, and entred into the land toward the North. [Sidenote:
Turkie stones and mantles of cotton wooll found in Guasco.] And in Guasco
they had alreadie found some Turkie stones, and mantles of cotton wooll:
which the Indians signified by signes that they had from the West: and
that holding that course they should draw neere to the land of the
Christians. But though they were much discontented with it, and it
grieued many to goe backward, which would rather haue aduentured their
liues and haue died in the land of Florida, then to haue gone poore out
of it: yet were they not a sufficient part to hinder that which was
determined, because the principall men agreed with the Gouernour. And
afterward there was one that said, hee would put out one of his owne
eyes, to put out another of Luis de Moscoso; because it would grieue him
much to see him prosper: because aswell himself as others of his friends
had crossed that which he durst not haue done, seeing that within two
daies hee should leaue the gouernment. [Sidenote: 150. leagues betweene
the Riuer of Daycao, and Rio grande.] From Daycao, where now they were,
to Rio grande, or the Great Riuer, was 150. leagues: which vnto that
place they had gone Westward. And by the way as they returned backe they
had much adoe to find Maiz to eate: for where they had passed, the
countrey was destroyed: and some little Maiz that was left the Indians
had hidden. The townes which in Naguatex they had burned (whereof it
repented them) were repaired againe, and the houses full of Maiz.
[Sidenote: Fine earthen vessels.] This countrie is well inhabited and
plentifull. In that place are vessels made of clay, which differ very
little from those of Estremoz, or Monte-mor. In Chaguate the Indians by
commandement of the Cacique came peaceably, and said, that the Christian
which remained there would not come. The Gouernour wrote vnto him, and
sent him inke and paper that he might answere. The substance of the
words of the letter was to declare vnto him his determination, which
was, to goe out of the land of Florida, and to put him in remembrance
that he was a Christian, that hee would not remaine in the subiection of
Infidels, that he pardoned him the fault which he had done in going away
to the Indians, that hee should come vnto him: and if they did stay him,
that hee would aduertise him thereof by writing. The Indian went with
the letters and came again without any more answere, then, on the back
side, his name and his seale, that they might know he was aliue. The
Gouernour sent twelue horsemen to seeke him: but he, which had his
spies, so hid himselfe, that they could not find him. For want of Maiz
the Gouernour could not stay any longer to seeke him. Hee departed from
Chaguate, and passed the Riuer by Aays; going downe by it hee found a
towne called Chilano, which as yet they had not seen. They came to
Nilco, and found so little Maiz, as could not suffice till they made
their ships; because the Christians, being in Guachoya in the seede
time, the Indians for feare of them durst not come to sow the grounds of
Nilco: and they knew not thereabout any other countrie where any Maiz
was: and that was the most fruitfull soile that was thereaway, and where
they had most hope to finde it. Euery one was confounded, and the most
part thought it bad counsell to come backe from the Riuer of Dacayo, and
not to haue followed their fortune, going that way that went ouer land.
For by Sea it seemed impossible to saue themselues, vnlesse God would
worke a miracle for them: for there was neither Pilot, nor Sea-chart,
neither did they know where the Riuer entred into the Sea, neither had
they notice of it, neither had they any thing wherewith to make sailes,
nor any store of Enequem, which is a grasse whereof they make Okam,
which grew there: and that which they found they saued to calke the
Pinaces withall, neither had they any thing to pitch them withall:
neither could they make ships of such substance, but that any storme
would put them in great danger: and they feared much it would fall out
with them, as it did with Pamphilo de Naruaez, which was cast away vpon
that coast: And aboue all it troubled them most, that they could find no
Maiz: for without it they could not bee sustained, nor could doe any
thing that they had neede of. All of them were put to great confusion.
Their chiefe remedy was to commit themselues to God, and to beseech him
that he would direct them the way that they might saue their liues. And
it pleased him of his goodnesse, that the Indians of Nilco came
peaceablie, and told them, that two daies iourney from thence, neere
vnto the Great Riuer, were two townes, whereof the Christians had no
notice, and that the prouince was called Minoya, and was a fruitfull
soile: that, whether at this present there was any Maiz or no, they knew
not, because they had warre with them: but that they would be very glad
with the fauour of the Christians to goe and spoyle them. The Gouernour
sent a Captaine thither with horsemen and footmen, and the Indians of
Nilco with him. Hee came to Minoya, and found two great townes seated
in a plaine and open soile, halfe a league distant, one in sight of
another, and in them hee tooke many Indians, and found great store of
Maiz. Presently he lodged in one of them, and sent word to the Gouernour
what hee had found: wherewith they were all exceeding glad. They
departed from Nilco in the beginning of December; and all that way, and
before from Chilano, they endured much trouble: for they passed through
many waters, and many times it rained with a Northren winde, and was
exceeding cold, so that they were in the open field with water ouer and
vnderneath them: and when at the end of their daies iourney they found
drie ground to rest vpon, they gaue great thanks to God. With this
trouble almost all the Indians that serued them died. And after they
were in Minoya, many Christians also died: and the most part were sicke
of great and dangerous diseases, which had a spice of the lethargie. At
this place died Andrew de Vasconcelos, and two Portugals of Eluas, which
were very neere him: which were brethren, and by their surname called
Sotis. The Christians lodged in one of the townes, which they liked
best: which was fensed about, and distant a quarter of a league from the
Great Riuer. The Maiz that was in the other towne was brought thither;
and in all it was esteemed to bee 6000. hanegs or bushels. And there was
the best timber to make ships, that they had seene in all the land of
Florida: wherefore all of them gaue God great thankes for so singular a
fauour, and hoped that that which they desired would take effect, which
was, that they might safely bee conducted into the land of the
Christians.
Chap. XXXVI.
How there were seuen Brigandines builded, and how they departed
from Minoya.
Assoone as they came to Minoya, the Gouernor commanded them to gather
all the chaines together, which euerie one had to lead Indians in; and
to gather all the yron which they had for their prouision, and al the
rest that was in the Camp: and to set vp a forge to make nailes, and
commanded them to cut downe timber for the brigandines. And a Portugall
of Ceuta, who hauing bin a prisoner in Fez, had learned to saw timber
with a long saw, which for such purposes they had carried with them,
did teach others, which helped him to saw timber. And a Genowis, whom it
pleased God to preserue (for without him they had neuer come out of the
countrie: for there has neuer another that could make ships but hee)
with foure or fiue other Biscaine carpenters, which hewed his plancks
and other timbers, made the brigandines: And two calkers, the one of
Genua, the other of Sardinia did calke them with the tow of an hearb
like hempe, whereof before I haue made mention, which there is named
Enequen. And because there was not enough of it, they calked them with
the flaxe of the Countrie, and with the mantles, which they rauelled for
that purpose. A cooper which they had among them fell sicke, and was at
the point of death: and there was none other that had any skill in that
trade: it pleased God to send him his health: And albeit he was verie
weake, and could not labour; yet 15. daies before they departed, he made
for euery brigandine two halfe hogs heads, which the mariners call
quarterets, because foure of them hold a pipe of water. [Sidenote:
Taguanate two daies iourney aboue Minoya.] The Indians which dwelt two
daies iournie aboue the Riuer in a Prouince called Taguanate, and
likewise those of Nilco and Guacoya, and others their neighbours seeing
the brigandines in making, thinking, because their places of refuge are
in the water, that they were to goe to seeke them: and because the
Gouernour demanded mantles of them, as necessarie for sailes, came many
times, and brought many mantles, and great store of fish. And for
certaine it seemed that God was willing to fauour them in so great
necessitie, moouing the minds of the Indians to bring them: for to goe
to take them, they were neuer able. For in the towne where they were,
assoone as winter came in, they were so inclosed and compassed with
water, that they could go no farther by land, then a league, and a
league and an half. [Sidenote: The great vse of horses.] And if they
would go farther, they could carrie no horses, and without them they
were not able to fight with the Indians, because they were many: and so
many for so many (numbers being equal) on foote they had the aduantage
of them by water and by land, because they were more apt and lighter,
and by reason of the disposition of the Countrie, which was according to
their desire for the vse of their warre. They brought also some cords,
and those which wanted for cables were made of the barkes of Mulberrie
trees. They made stirrops of wood, and made ankers of their stirrops.
[Sidenote: The mightie increasing of the Riuer for two moneths space, to
wit, all March and April.] In the moneth of March, when it had not
rained a moneth before, the Riuer grew so big, that it came to Nilco,
which was nine leagues off: and on the other side, the Indians said,
that it reached other nine leagues into the land. In the towne where the
Christians were, which was somewhat high ground, where they could best
goe, the water reached to the stirrops. They made certaine rafts of
timber, and laid manie boughes vpon them, wheron they set their horses,
and in the houses they did the like. But seeing that nothing preuailed,
they went vp to the lofts: and if they went out of the houses, it was in
canoes, or on horseback in those places where the ground was hiest. So
they were two moneths, and could doe nothing, during which time the
Riuer decreased not. The Indians ceased not to come vnto the brigantines
as they were wont, and came in canoes. At that time the Gouernour feared
they would set vpon him. Hee commanded his men to take an Indian
secretly of those that came to the towne, and to stay him till the rest
were gone: and they tooke one. The Gouernour commanded him to bee put to
torture, to make him confesse, whether the Indians did practise any
treason or no. [Sidenote: The grand conspiracie of the Indians against
the Christians.] Hee confessed that the Caciques of Nilco, Guachoya, and
Taguanate, and others, which in al were about 20. Caciques, with a great
number of people, determined to come vpon him; and that three daies
before, they would send a great present of fish to colour their great
treason and malice, and on the verie day they would send some Indians
before with another present. [Sidenote: Note well.] And these with those
which were our slaues, which were of their conspiracie also, should set
the houses on fire, and first of all possesse themselues of the lances
which stood at the doores of the houses; and the Caciques with all their
men should bee neere the towne in ambush in the wood, and when they saw
the fire kindled, should come, and make an end of the conquest. The
Gouernour commanded the Indian to be kept in a chaine, and the selfesame
day that he spake of there came 30. Indians with fish. [Sidenote:
Thirtie Indians of the Cacique of Guachoya haue their right hands cut
off.] He commanded their right hands to be cut off, and sent them so
backe to the Cacique of Guachoya, whose men they were. He sent him word,
that he and the rest should come when they would, for he desired
nothing more, and that hee should know, that they thought not any thing
which he knew not before they thought of it. Hereupon they all were put
in a very great feare: And the Caciques of Nilco and Taguanate came to
excuse themselues: and a few daies after came he of Guachoya, and a
principall Indian and his subiect, said, he knew by certaine
information, That the Caciques of Nilco and Taguanate were agreed to
come and make warre vpon the Christians. Assoone as the Indians came
from Nilco, the Gouernour examined them, and they confessed it was true.
Hee deliuered them presently to the principall man of Guachoya, which
drew them out of the towne and killed them. Another day came some from
Taguanate, and confessed it likewise. [Sidenote: The right hands and
noses of traitours cut off.] The Gouernour commanded their right hands
and noses to be cut off, and sent them to the Cacique, wherewith they of
Guachoya remained very well contented: and they came oftentimes with
presents of mantles and fish, and hogs, which bred in the Countrie of
some swine that were lost by the way the last yeere. Assoone as the
waters were slaked, they perswaded the Gouernour to send men to
Taguanate: They came and brought canoes, wherein the footemen were
conueied downe the Riuer, and a Captaine with horsemen went by land; and
the Indians of Guachoya, which guided him, till they came to Taguanate,
assaulted the towne, and tooke many men and women, and mantles, which
with those that they had alreadie were sufficient to supplie their want.
[Sidenote: The Riuer increaseth but once a yeere when the snowes doe
melt in March and Aprill.] The brigandines being finished in the moneth
of Iune, the Indians hauing told vs, That the Riuer increased but once a
yeere, when the snowes did melt, in the time wherein I mentioned it had
alreadie increased, being now in sommer, and hauing not rained a long
time, it pleased God, that the flood came vp to the towne to seeke the
brigandines, from whence they carried them by water to the Riuer.
[Sidenote: A miraculous accident.] Which, if they had gone by land, had
been in danger of breaking and splitting their keeles, and to bee all
vndone; because that for want of iron, the spikes were short, and the
planckes and timber very weake. The Indians of Minoya, during the time
that they were there, came to serue them (being driuen thereunto by
necessity) that of the Maiz which they had taken from them they would
bestow some crummes vpon them. And because the Countrie was fertill, and
the people vsed to feed of Maiz, and the Christians had gotten all from
them that they had, and the people were many, they were not able to
sustaine themselues. Those which came to the towne were so weake and
feeble, that they had no flesh left on their bones: and many came and
died neere the towne for pure hunger and weaknesse. The Gouernour
commanded vpon grieuous punishments to giue them no Maiz. Yet, when they
saw that the hogges wanted it not, and that they had yeelded themselues
to serue them, and considering their miserie and wretchednes, hauing
pity of them, they gaue them part of the Maiz which they had. And when
the time of their embarkment came, there was not sufficient to serue
their own turnes. That which there was, they put into the brigandines,
and into great canoes tied two and two together. They shipped 22. of the
best horses, that were in the Camp, the rest they made dried flesh of;
and dressed the hogges which they had in like manner. They departed from
Minoya the second day of Iulie, 1543.
Chap. XXXVII.
As the Christians went downe the great Riuer on their voyage, the
Indians of Quigalta did set vpon them, and what was the successe
thereof.
The day before they departed from Minoya, they determined to dismisse al
the men and women of the Countrie, which they had detained as slaues to
serue them, saue some hundred, little more or lesse, which the Gouernour
embarked, and others whom it pleased him to permit. And because there
were many men of qualitie, whom he could not deny that which he granted
to others, he vsed a policy, saying, that they might serue them as long
as they were in the Riuer, but when they came to the sea, they must send
them away for want of water, because they had but few vessels. He told
his friends in secret, that they should carrie theirs to Nueua Espanna:
And all those whom hee bare no good will vnto (which were the greater
number) ignorant of that which was hidden from them, which afterward
time discouered, thinking it inhumanitie for so little time of seruice,
in reward of the great seruice that they had done them, to carrie them
with them, [Sidenote: 500. Slaues left in the Countrie.] to leaue them
slaues to other men out of their owne Countries; left fiue hundred men
and women: among whom were many boies and girles, which spake and
vnderstood the Spanish tongue. The most of them did nothing but weepe:
which mooued great compassion; seeing that all of them with good will
would haue become Christians, and were left in state of perdition.
[Sidenote: They sailed down Rio Grande from Minoya 17. daies before they
came to the mouth thereof.] There went from Minoya 322. Spaniards in
seuen brigandines, well made, saue that the plankes were thin, because
the nailes were short, and were not pitched, nor had any decks to keep
the water from comming in. In stead of decks they laid planks, whereon
the mariners might runne to trim their sailes, and the people might
refresh themselues aboue and below: The Gouernour made his Captaines,
and gaue to euery one his brigandine, and took their oth and their word,
that they would obey him, vntill they came to the land of the
Christians. The Gouernour tooke one of the brigandines for himself,
which he best liked. The same day that they departed from Minoya, they
passed by Guachoya, where the Indians tarried for them in canoes by the
Riuer. And on the shore, they had made a great arbour with boughes: They
desired him to come on shore; but he excused himselfe, and so went
along: The Indians in their canoes accompanied him; and comming where an
arme of the Riuer diclined on the right hand, they said, that the
Prouince of Quigalta was neere vnto that place, and importuned the
Gouernour to set vpon him, and that they would aide him. And because
they had said, that he dwelt three daies journie down the Riuer, the
Gouernour supposed that they had plotted some treason against him, and
there left them; and went downe with the greatest force of the water.
The current was very strong, and with the helpe of ores, they went very
swiftly. The first day they landed in a wood on the left hand of the
Riuer, and at night they withdrew themselues to the brigandines.
[Sidenote: The second day.] The next day they came to a towne, where
they went on shore, and the people that was in it durst not tarrie. A
woman that they tooke there being examined, said, that that towne
belonged to a Cacique named Huasene, subiect to Quigalta, and that
Quigalta tarried for them below in the Riuer with many men. Certaine
horsemen went thither, and found some houses, wherein was much Maiz.
Immediately more of them went thither and tarried there one day,
[Sidenote: Another day.] in which they did beate out, and tooke as much
Maiz as they needed. While they were there, many Indians came from the
nether part of the Riuer, and on the other side right against them
somewhat carelessely set themselues in order to fight. The Gouernour
sent in two canoes the crossebowmen that he had, and as many more as
could goe in them. They ran away, and seeing the Spaniards could not
ouertake them, they returned backe, and tooke courage; and coming
neerer, making an outcrie, they threatned them: and assoone as they
departed thence, they went after them, some in canoes, and some by land
along the Riuer; and getting before, comming to a towne that stood by
the Riuers side, they ioyned al together, making a shew that they would
tarrie there. Euerie brigandine towed a canoe fastened to their sternes
for their particular seruice. [Sidenote: A town burned.] Presently
there entred men into euerie one of them, which made the Indians to
flie, and burned the town. The same day they presently landed in a great
field, where the Indians durst not tarrie. [Sidenote: The third day. A
fleet of an hundred faire and great canoes.] The next day there were
gathered together an hundred canoes, among which were some that carried
60. and 70. men, and the principall mens canoes had their tilts, and
plumes of white and red feathers for their ensignes: and they came
within two crossebow shot of the brigandines, and sent three Indians in
a small canoe with a fained message to view the manner of the
brigandines, and what weapons they had. And comming to the side of the
Gouernours brigandine, one of the Indians entred, and said:
That the Cacique of Quigalta his Lord, sent him his commendations, and
did let him vnderstand, that all the Indians of Guachoya had told him
concerning himselfe, was false, and that they had incensed him, because
they were his enemies; that he was his seruant, and should find him so.
The Gouernour answered him, that he beleeued all that he said was true,
and willed him to tell him, that he esteemed his friendship very much.
With this answer they returned to the place where the rest in their
canoes were waiting for them, and from thence all of them fell downe,
and came neere the Spaniards, shouting aloud, and threatning of them.
The Gouernour sent Iohn de Guzman, which had been a Captaine of footemen
in Florida, with 15. armed men in canoes to make them giue way. Assoone
as the Indians saw them come towards them, they diuided themselues into
two parts, and stood still till the Spaniards came nie them, and when
they were come neere them, they ioyned together on both sides, taking
Iohn de Guzman in the middest, and then they came first with him, and
with great furie borded them: And as their canoes were bigger, and many
of them leaped into the water to stay them, and to lay hold on the
canoes of the Spaniards, and ouerwhelme them; so presently they
ouerwhelmed them. The Christians fell into the water, and with the
weight of their armour sunke downe to the bottome: and some few, that by
swimming or holding by the canoe could haue saued themselues, with oares
and staues, which they had, they strooke them on the head and made them
sinke. When they of the brigandines saw the ouerthrow, though they went
about to succour them, yet through the current of the Riuer they could
not goe backe. Foure Spaniards fled to the brigandine that was neerest
to the canoes; and only these escaped of those that came among the
Indians. [Sidenote: Eleven Spaniards drowned.] They were eleuen that
died there: among whom Iohn de Guzman was one, and a sonne of Don
Carlos, called Iohn de Vargas: the rest also were persons of account and
men of great courage. Those that escaped by swimming, said that they saw
the Indians enter the canoe of John de Guzman at the sterne of one of
their canoes, and whether they carried him away dead or aliue they could
not certainly tell.
Chap. XXXVIII.
Which declareth how they were pursued by the Indians.
The Indians, seeing that they had gotten the victorie, tooke such
courage, that they assaulted them in the brigandines, which they durst
not doe before. [Sidenote: 25. Spaniards wounded.] They came first to
that brigandine wherein Calderon went for Captaine, and was in the
rereward: and at the first volie of arrowes they wounded 25. men. There
were only foure armed men in this brigandine: these did stand at the
brigandines side to defend it. Those that were vnarmed, seeing how they
hurt them, left their oares and went vnder the deck: whereupon the
brigandine began to crosse, and to goe where the current of the streame
carried it. One of the armed men seeing this, without the commandement
of the Captaine, made a footman to take an oare and stirre the
brigandine, hee standing before him and defending him with his target.
[Sidenote: The great vse of large targets.] The Indians came no neerer
then a bowshot, from whence they offended and were not offended,
receiuing no hurt: for in euery brigandine was but one crossebow, and
those which wee had were very much out of order. So that the Christians
did nothing else but stand for a butte to receiue their arrowes. Hauing
left this brigandine they went to another, and fought with it halfe an
houre; and so from one to another they fought with them all. [Sidenote:
Strong mats a good defence against arrowes.] The Christians had mattes
to lay vnder them, which were double, and so close and strong, that no
arrow went thorow them. And assoone as the Indians gaue them leisure,
they fensed the brigandines with them. And the Indians seeing that they
could not shoote leuell, shot their arrowes at random vp into the aire,
which fell into the brigandines, and hurt some of the men: and not
therewith contented, they sought to get to them which were in the canoes
with the horses. Those of the brigandines enuironed them to defend them,
and tooke them among them. Thus seeing themselues much vexed by them,
and so wearied that they could no longer endure it, they determined to
trauell all the night following, thinking to get beyond the countrie of
Quigalta, and that they would leaue them: but when they thought least of
it, supposing they had now left them, they heard very neere them so
great outcries, that they made them deafe, and so they followed vs all
that night, and the next day till noone, by which time we were come into
the countrie of others, whom they desired to vse vs after the same
manner; and so they did. The men of Quigalta returned home; and the
other in fiftie canoes fought with vs a whole day and a night: and they
entred one of the brigandines, that came in the rereward by the canoe
which she had at her sterne, and tooke away a woman which they found in
it, and afterward hurt some of the men of the brigandines. Those which
came with the horses in the canoes, being wearie with rowing night and
day, lingered behind; and presently the Indians came vpon them, and they
of the brigandines tarried for them. The Gouernour resolued to goe on
shore and to kill the horses, because of the slow way which they made
because of them. Assoone as they saw a place conuenient for it, they
[Sidenote: Dried horseflesh for food.] went thither and killed the
horses, and brought the flesh of them to drie it aboord. Foure or fiue
of them remained on shore aliue: The Indians went vnto them, after the
Spaniards were embarked. The horses were not acquainted with them, and
began to neigh, and runne vp and downe, in such sort, that the Indians,
for feare of them, leaped into the water: and getting into their canoes
went after the brigandines, shooting cruelly at them. They followed vs
that euening and the night following till the next day at tenne of the
clocke, and then returned vp the Riuer. Presently from a small towne
that stood vpon the Riuer came seuen canoes, and followed vs a little
way downe the Riuer, shooting at vs: but seeing they were so few that
they could do vs but little harme, they returned to their towne. From
thence forward, vntill they came to the Sea, they had no encounter. They
sailed downe the Riuer seuenteene daies, which may be two hundred and
fifty leagues iourney, little more or lesse: and neere vnto the Sea the
Riuer is diuided into two armes; each of them is a league and an halfe
broad.
Chap. XXXIX.
How they came vnto the sea: and what happened vnto them in all
their voiage.
Halfe a league before they came to the sea, they came to anker to rest
themselues there about a day: for they were very weary with rowing and
out of heart. For by the space of many daies they had eaten nothing but
parched and sodden Maiz; which they had by allowance euery day an
headpeece ful by strike for euery three men. While they rode there at
anker seuen canoes of Indians came to set vpon those, which they brought
with them. The Gouernor commanded armed men to go aboord them, and to
driue them farther off. They came also against them by land through a
thick wood, and a moorish ground, and had staues with very sharp forked
heads made of the bones of fishes, and fought verie valiantly with vs,
which went out to encounter them. And the other that came in canoes with
their arrowes staid for them that came against them, and at their
comming both those that were on land, and those in the canoes wounded
some of vs: And seeing vs come neere them, they turned their backs, and
like swift horses among footemen gat away from vs; making some
returnes, and reuniting themselues together, going not past a bow shot
off: for in so retiring they shot, without receiuing any hurt of the
Christians. For though they had some bowes, yet they could not vse them;
and brake their armes with rowing to ouertake them. And the Indians
easily in their compasse went with their canoes, staying and wheeling
about as it had been in a skirmish, perceiuing that those that came
against them could not offend them. And the more they stroue to come
neere them, the more hurt they receiued. Assoone as they had driuen them
farther off they returned to the brigandines. They staied two daies
there: And departed from thence vnto the place, where the arme of the
Riuer entreth into the sea. They sounded in the Riuer neere vnto the
Sea, and found 40. fathoms water. They staid there. And the Gouernour
commanded al and singular persons to speake their minds touching their
voiage, whether it were best to crosse ouer to Nueua Espanna, committing
themselues to the hie sea, or whether they should keepe along the coast.
There were sundry opinions touching this matter; wherein Iohn Danusco,
which presumed much, and tooke much vpon him in the knowledge of
nauigation, and matters of the sea, although hee had but little
experience, mooued the Gouernour with his talke: and his opinion was
seconded by some others. And they affirmed, that it was much better to
passe by the hie sea, and crosse the gulfe, which was three of foure
parts the lesser trauell, because in going along the coast, they went a
great way about, by reason of the compasse, which the land did make.
Iohn Danusco said, that he had seene the seacard, and that from the
place where they were, the coast ran East and West vnto Rio de las
Palmas; and from Rio de las Palmas to Nueua Espanna from North to South:
and therefore in sailing alwaies in sight of land would bee a great
compassing about and spending of much time; and that they would be in
great danger to be overtaken with winter before they should get to the
land of the Christians: and that in 10. or 12. daies space, hauing good
weather, they might bee there in crossing ouer. The most part were
against this opinion, and said, that it was more safe to go along the
coast, though they staied the longer: because their ships were very
weake and without decks, so that a very little storme was enough to cast
them away: and if they should be hindred with calmes, or contrarie
weather, through the small store of vessels which they had to carrie
water in, they should likewise fall into great danger: and that
although the ships were such as they might venture in them, yet hauing
neither Pilot nor Seacard to guide themselues, it was no good counsell
to crosse the gulfe. This opinion was confirmed by the greatest part:
and they agreed to go along the coast. At the time wherein they sought
to depart from thence, the cable of the anker of the Gouernours
brigandine brake, and the anker remained in the Riuer. And albeit, they
were neere the shore, yet it was so deepe, that the Diuers diuing many
times could neuer find it: which caused great sadnes in the Gouernour,
and in all those that went with him in his brigandine: But with a
grindstone which they had, and certaine bridles which remained to some
of the Gentlemen, and men of worship which had horses, they made a
weight which serued in stead of an anker. [Sidenote: They landed the 30.
of May, 1539. Chap. 7. they went foorth to sea Iuly 18, 1543.] The 18.
of Iuly, they went foorth to sea with faire and prosperous weather for
their voiage. And seeing that they were gone two or three leagues from
the shore, the Captaines of the other brigandines ouertooke them, and
asked the Gouernour, wherefore he did put off from the shore: and that
if hee would leaue the coast, he should say so; and he should not do it
without the consent of all: and that if hee did otherwise, they would
not follow him, but that euery one would doe what seemed best vnto
himselfe. The Gouernour answered, that hee would doe nothing without
their counsell, but that hee did beare off from the land to saile the
better and safer by night; and that the next day when time serued, he
would returne to the sight of land againe. They sailed with a reasonable
good wind that day and the night following, and the next day till
euening song, alwaies in fresh water: whereat they wondred much: for
they were very farre from land. But the force of the current of the
Riuer is so great, and the coast there is so shallow and gentle, that
the fresh water entreth farre into the Sea. That euening on their right
hand they saw certaine creekes, whither they went, and rested there that
night: where Iohn Danusco with his reasons wonne them at last, that all
consented and agreed to commit themselues to the maine Sea, alleaging,
as he had done before, that it was a great aduantage, and that their
voyage would be much shorter. They sailed two daies, and when they would
haue come to sight of land they could not, for the winde blew from the
shore. On the fourth day, seeing their fresh water began to faile,
fearing necessitie and danger, they all complained of Iohn Danusco, and
of the Gouernour that followed his counsell: and euery one of the
Captaines said, that they would no more goe from the shore, though the
Gouernour went whither he would. It pleased God that the winde changed
though but a little: and at the end of foure daies after they had put to
sea, being alreadie destitute of water, by force of rowing they got
within sight of land, and with great trouble recouered it, in an open
roade. That euening the winde came to the South, which on that coast is
a crosse winde, and draue the brigandines against the shore, because it
blew very hard, and the anchors weake, that they yeelded and began to
bend. The Gouernour commanded all men to leape into the water, and going
between them and the shore, and thrusting the brigandines into the Sea
assoone as the waue was past, they saued them till the winde ceased.
Chap. XL.
How they lost one another by a storme, and afterward came together
in a creeke.
[Sidenote: Fresh water is commonlie found by diging in the sands on the
sea side.] In the bay where they rode, after the tempest was past, they
went on shore, and with mattockes, which they had, they digged certain
pits, which grew full of fresh water, where they filled all the casks
which they had. The next day they departed thence, and sailed two daies,
and entred into a creeke like vnto a poole, fenced from the South winde,
which then did blow, and was against them: and there they staied foure
daies, not being able to get out: and when the Sea was calm they rowed
out: they sailed that day, and toward euening the winde grew so strong
that it draue them on the shore, and they were sorie that they had put
foorth from the former harbour: for assoone as night approched a storme
began to rise in the Sea, and the winde still waxed more and more
violent with a tempest. The brigandines lost one another: two of them,
which bare more into the Sea, entred into an arme of the Sea, which
pearced into the land two leagues beyond the place where the other were
that night. The fiue which staied behinde, being alwaies a league, and
halfe a league the one from the other, met together, without any
knowledge the one of the other, in a wilde roade, where the winde and
the waues droue them on shore: for their anchors did strengthen and came
home; and they could not rule their oares, putting seuen or eight men to
every oare, which rowed to seaward: and all the rest leaped into the
water, and when the waue was past that draue the brigandine on shore,
they thrust it againe into Sea with all the diligence and might that
they had. Others, while another waue was in comming, with bowles laued
out the water that came in ouerboord. [Sidenote: A swarme of grieuous
Moskitoes.] While they were in this tempest in great feare of being cast
away in that place, from midnight forward they endured an intollerable
torment of an infinite swarme of Moskitoes which fell upon them, which
assoone as they had stung the flesh, it so infected it, as though they
had bin venomous. In the morning the Sea was asswaged and the wind
slaked, but not the Muskitoes: the sailes which were white seemed blacke
with them in the morning. Those which rowed, vnless others kept them
away, were not able to row. Hauing passed the feare & danger of the
storme, beholding the deformities of their faces, and the blows which
they gaue themselves to driue them away, one of them laughed at another.
They met all together in the creek where the two brigandines were, which
outwent their fellowes. There was found a skumme, which they call Copee,
which the Sea casteth vp, and it is like pitch, wherewith in some
places, where pitch is wanting, they pitch their ships: there they
pitched their brigandines. They rested two daies, and then eftsoones
proceeded on their voyage. They sailed two daies more, and landed in a
Bay or arme of the Sea, where they staied two daies. The same day that
they went from thence sixe men went vp in a canoe toward the head of it,
and could not see the end of it. They put out from thence with a South
winde, which was against them: but because it was little, and for the
great desire they had to shorten their voyage, they put out to sea by
force of oares, and for all that made very little way with great labour
in two daies, and went under the lee of a small Island into an arme of
the Sea, which compassed it about. While they were there, there fell out
such weather, that they gave God many thankes, that they had found out
such an harbour. There was great store of fish in that place, which they
tooke with nets, which they had, and hookes. Heere a man cast an hooke
and a line into the Sea, and tied the end of it to his arme, and a fish
caught it, and drew him into the water vnto the necke: and it pleased
God that he remembred himselfe of a knife that he had, and cut the line
with it. There they abode fourteen daies: and at the end of them it
pleased God to send them faire weather, for which with great deuotion
they appointed a procession, and went in procession along the strand,
beseeching God to bring them to a land, where they might serue him in
better sort.
Chap. XLI.
How they came to the Riuer of Panuco in Nueua Espanna.
In all the coast wheresoeuer they digged they found fresh water: there
they filled their vessels; and the procession being ended, embarked
themselues, and going alwaies in sight of the shore they sailed sixe
daies. Iohn Danusco said that it would doe well to beare out to seaward:
for he had seene the Seacard, and remembred that from Rio de las Palmas
forward the coast did runne from North to South, and thitherto they had
runne from East to West, and in his opinion, by his reckoning, Rio de
las Palmas could not be farre off, from where they were. [Sidenote: At
the Northside of the Gulfe of Mexico is verie low land, saue in this one
place.] That same night they put to sea, and in the morning they saw
Palme leaues floting, and the coast, which ranne North and South: from
midday forward they saw great Mountaines, which vntill then they had not
seene: for from this place to Puerto de Spiritu Santo, where they first
landed in Florida, was a very plaine and low countrey: and therefore it
cannot be descried, vnlesse a man come very neere it. By that which they
saw, they thought that they had ouershot Rio de Palmas that night, which
is 60. leagues from the Riuer of Panuco, which is in Nueua Espanna. They
assembled all together, and some said it was not good to saile by night,
lest they should ouershoot the Riuer of Panuco: and others said, it was
not well to lose time while it was fauourable, and that it could not be
so neere that they should passe it that night: and they agreed to take
away halfe the sailes, and so saile all night. Two of the brigandines,
which sailed that night with all their sailes, by breake of day had
ouershot the Riuer of Panuco without seeing it. Of the fiue that came
behind, the first that came vnto it was that wherein Calderan was
Captaine. A quarter of a league before they came at it, and before they
did see it, they saw the water muddie, and knew it to be fresh water:
and comming right against the Riuer, they saw, where it entred into the
Sea, that the water brake vpon a shold. And because there was no man
there that knew it, they were in doubt whether they should goe in, or
goe along, and they resolued to goe in: and before they came vnto the
current, they went close to the shore, and entred into the port: and
assoone as they were come in, they saw Indian men and women apparelled
like Spaniards: whom they asked in what countrey they were? [Sidenote:
The Riuer of Panuca: the towne 15. leagues from the mouth of the Riuer.]
They answered in Spanish, that it was the Riuer of Panuco, and that the
towne of the Christians was 15. leagues vp within the land. The ioy that
all of them receiued vpon these newes cannot sufficiently be expressed:
for it seemed vnto them, that at that instant they were borne again. And
many went on shore and kissed the ground, and kneeling on their knees,
with lifting vp their hands and eyes to heauen, they all ceased not to
giue God thankes. Those which came after, assoone as they saw Calderon
come to an anchor with his brigandine in the Riuer, presently went
thither, and came into the hauen. The other two brigandines which had
ouershot the place, put to sea to returne backe to seeke the rest, and
could not doe it, because the wind was contrarie and the Sea growne:
they were afraid of being cast away, and recouering the shore they cast
anchor. While they rode there a storme arose: and seeing that they could
not abide there, much lesse endure at Sea, they resolued to runne on
shore; and as the brigandines were but small, so did they draw but
little water; and where they were it was a sandie coast. By which
occasion the force of their sailes draue them on shore, without any hurt
of them that were in them. As those that were in the port of Panuco at
this time were in great ioy, so these felt a double griefe in their
hearts: for they knew not what was become of their fellowes, nor in what
countrey they were, and feared it was a countrey of Indian enemies. They
landed two leagues below the port: and when they saw themselues out of
the danger of the Sea, euery one tooke of that which he had, as much as
he could carrie on his backe: and they trauelled vp into the countrey,
and found Indians, which told them where the fellowes were; and gaue
them good entertainement: wherewith their sadnes was turned into ioy,
and they thanked God most humbly for their deliuerance out of so many
dangers.
Chap. XLII.
How they came to Panuco, and how they were receiued of the
inhabitants.
From the time that they put out of Rio Grande to the sea, at their
departure from Florida, vntil they arriued in the Riuer of Panuco, were
52 daies. [Sidenote: They arriued in the Riuer of Panuco, 1543. Septem.
10.] They came into the Riuer of Panuco the 10. of September 1543. They
went vp the Riuer with their brigandines. They trauelled foure daies;
and because the wind was but little, and many times it serued them not,
because of the many turnings which the Riuer maketh, and the great
current, drawing them vp by towing, and that in many places: for this
cause they made very little way, and with great labour; and seeing the
execution of their desire to be deferred, which was to come among
Christians, and to see the celebration of diuine seruice, which so long
time they had not seene; they left the brigandines with the mariners,
and went by land to Panuco. All of them were apparrelled in Deeres skins
tanned and died blacke, to wit, cotes, hose, and shooes. When they came
to Panuco, presently they went to the Church to pray and giue God
thankes, that so miraculously had saued them. The townesmen which before
were aduertised by the Indians, and knew of their arriual, caried some
of them to their houses, and entertained them, whom they knew, and had
acquaintance of, or because they were their Countrimen. The Alcalde
Mayor tooke the Gouernour home to his house: and commanded al the rest,
assoone as they came, to be lodged 6. & 6. and 10. & 10. according to
the habilitie of euery townesman. And all of them were prouided for by
their hostes of many hennes and bread of Maiz, and fruites of the
Countrie, which are such as be in the Isle of Cuba, whereof, before I
haue spoken. [Sidenote: The description of Panuco.] The towne of Panuco
may containe aboue 70 families; the most of their houses are of lime and
stone, and some made of timber, and all of them are thatched. It is a
poore Countrie, and there is neither gold nor siluer in it: The
inhabitants live there in great abundance of victuals and seruants. The
richest haue not aboue 500. crownes rent a yeere, and that is in cotton
clothes and hennes and Maiz, which the Indians there seruants doe giue
them for tribute. [Sidenote: 311. Christians arriued at Panuco.] There
arriued there; of those that came out of Florida, three hundred and
eleuen Christians. Presently the Alcalde Mayor sent one of the townesmen
in post to aduertise the Viceroy, Don Antonio de Mendoça, which was
resident in Mexico, that of the people that went with Don Ferdinando de
Soto to discouer and conquer Florida, three hundred and eleuen men were
arriued there, that seeing they were imploied in his Maiesties seruice,
he would take some order to prouide for them. Whereat the Viceroy, and
all the inhabitants of Mexico wondred. For they thought they were
miscarried, because they had trauelled so farre within the maine land of
Florida, and had no newes of them for so long a time: and it seemed a
wonderfull thing vnto them, how they could saue themselues so long among
Infidels, without any fort, wherein they might fortifie themselues, and
without any other succour at all. Presently the Viceroy sent a warrant,
wherein hee commanded, that whithersoeuer they went, they should giue
them victuals, and as many Indians for their carriages as they needed:
and where they would not furnish them, they might take those things that
were necessarie perforce without incurring any danger of law. This
warrant was so readilie obeyed, that by the way before they came to the
townes, they came to receiue them with hennes, and victuals.
Chap. XLIII.
Of the fauour which they found at the hands of the Viceroy, and of
the inhabitants of the Citie of Mexico.
From Panuco to the great Citie Temistitan Mexico is 60. leagues; and
other 60. from Panuco to the Port de Vera Cruz, where they take shipping
for Spaine, and those that come from Spaine do land to go for Nueua
Espanna. These three townes stand in a triangle: to wit, Vera Cruz, to
the South, Panuco to the North, and Mexico to the West, 60. leagues
assunder. The Countrie is so inhabited with Indians, that from towne to
towne, those which are farthest, are but a league, and halfe a league
assunder. Some of them that came from Florida, staied a moneth in Panuco
to rest themselues, others fifteene daies, and euery one as long as he
listed: for there was none that shewed a sower countenance to his
guests, but rather gaue them any thing that they had, and seemed to be
grieued when they took their leaue. Which was to be beleeued. For the
victuals, which the Indians doe pay them for tribute, are more than they
can spend: and in that towne is no commerce; and there dwelt but few
Spaniards there, and they were glad of their companie. The Alcalde Mayor
diuided all the Emperours clothes which he had (which there they pay him
for his tribute) among those that would come to receiue them. Those
which had shirts of maile left, were glad men: for they had a horse for
one shirt of maile: Some horsed themselues: and such as could not (which
were the greatest part) tooke their iournie on foote: in which they were
well receiued of the Indians that were in the townes, and better serued,
then they could haue been in their owne houses, though they had been
well to liue. For if they asked one hen of an Indian, they brought them
foure: and if they asked any of the Countrie fruit, though it were a
league off, they ran presently for it. [Sidenote: This is the manner of
China to carrie men chaires.] And if any Christian found himselfe euill
at ease, they carried him in a chaire from one towne to another. In
whatsoeuer towne they came, the Cacique, by an Indian which carried a
rod of Iustice in his hand, whom they call Tapile, that is to say, a
sergeant, commanded them to prouide victuals for them, and Indians to
beare burdens of such things as they had, and such as were needfull to
carrie them that were sicke. The Viceroy sent a Portugall 20. leagues
from Mexico, with great store of sugar, raisons of the Sunne, and
conserues, and other things fit for sicke folkes, for such as had neede
of them: and had giuen order to cloth them all at the Emperours charges.
And their approch being knowne by the citizens of Mexico, they went out
of the towne to receiue them: and with great courtesie, requesting them
in fauour to come to their houses, euery one carried such as hee met
home with him, and clothed them euery one the best they could: so that
he which had the meanest apparrell, it cost aboue 30. ducats. As many as
were willing to come to the Viceroyes house he commanded to be
apparelled, and such as were persons of qualitie sate at his table: and
there was a table in his house for as many of the meaner sort as would
come to it: and he was presently informed who euery one was, to shew him
the courtesie that he deserued. Some of the Conquerors did set both
gentlemen and clownes at their owne table, and many times made the
seruant sit cheeke by cheeke by his master: and chiefly the officers and
men of base condition did so: for those which had better education did
enquire who euery one was, and made difference of persons: but all did
what they could with a good will: and euery one told them whom they had
in their houses, that they should not trouble themselues, nor thinke
themselues the worse, to take that which they gaue them: for they had
bin in the like case, and had bin relieued of others, and that this was
the custome of that countrey. God reward them all: and God grant, that
those which it pleased him to deliuer out of Florida, and to bring
againe into Christendome, may serue him: and vnto those that died in
that countrey, and vnto all that beleeue in him and confesse his holy
faith, God for his mercie sake grant the kingdome of heauen. Amen.
Chap. XLIV.
Which declareth some diuersities and particularities of the land of
Florida: and the fruites, and beasts, and fowles that are in that
Countrie.
[Sidenote: Port de Spiritu Santo is in 29. degrees 1/2 on the West side
of Florida.] From the Port de Spiritu Santo, where they landed when they
entred into Florida, to the Prouince of Ocute, which may bee 400.
leagues, little more or lesse, is a verie plaine Countrie, and hath many
lakes and thicke woods, and in some places they are of wild pine trees;
and is a weake soile: There is in it neither Mountaine nor hill. The
Countrie of Ocute is more fat and fruitfull; it hath thinner woods, and
very goodly medows vpon the Riuers. From Ocute to Cutifachiqui may be
130. leagues; 80. leagues thereof are desert, and haue many groues of
wild Pine trees. Through the wildernesse great Riuers doe passe. From
Cutifachiqui to Xuala, may be 250. leagues: it is al an hilly Countrie.
Cutifachiqui and Xuala stand both in plaine grounds, hie, and haue
goodly medows on the Riuers. From thence forward to Chiaha, Coça, and
Talise, is plaine ground, dry and fat, and very plentifull of Maiz. From
Xuala to Tascaluça may be 250. leagues. From Tascaluça to Rio Grande, or
the Great Riuer, may be 300. leagues: the Countrie is low, and full of
lakes. From Rio Grande forwarde, the Countrie is hier and more champion,
and best peopled of all the land of Florida. And along this Riuer from
Aquixo to Pacaha, and Coligoa, are 150. leagues: the Countrie is plaine,
and the woods thinne, and in some places champion, very fruitfull and
pleasant. From Coligoa to Autiamque are 250. leagues of hillie Countrie.
From Autiamque to Aguacay, may be 230. leagues of plaine ground. From
Aguacay to the Riuer of Daycao 120. leagues, all hillie Countrie.
[Sidenote: Pagina 27.] From the Port de Spiritu Santo vnto Apalache,
they trauelled from East to West, and Northwest. From Cutifachiqui to
Xuala from South to North. From Xuala to Coça from East to West. From
Coça to Tascaluça, and to Rio Grande, as far as the Prouinces of
Quizquiz and Aquixo from East to West. From Aquixo to Pacaha to the
North. From Pacaha to Tulla from East to West: and from Tulla to
Autiamque from North to South, to the Prouince of Guachoya and Daycao.
The bread which they eate in all the land of Florida is of Maiz, which
is like course millet. And this maiz is common in all the Islandes and
West Indies from the Antiles forward. There are also in Florida great
store of Walnuts and Plummes, Mulberries, and Grapes. They sow and
gather their Maiz euery one their seuerall crop. The fruits are common
to all: for they grow abroad in the open fields in great abundance,
without any neede of planting or dressing. Where there be Mountaines,
there be chestnuts: they are somewhat smaller then the chestnuts of
Spaine. [Sidenote: Soft Walnuts Eastward from Rio Grande.] [Sidenote:
Hard Walnuts Westward from Rio Grande.] From Rio Grande Westward, the
Walnuts differ from those that grow more Eastward: for they are soft,
and like vnto Acornes: And those which grow from Rio Grande to Puerto
del Spiritu Santo for the most part are hard; and the trees and Walnuts
in shew like those of Spaine. There is a fruit through all the Countrie
which groweth on a plant like Ligoacan, which the Indians doe plant. The
fruit is like vnto Peares Riall: it hath a verie good smell, and an
excellent taste. There groweth another plant in the open field, which
beareth a fruit like vnto strawberries, close to the ground, which hath
a verie good taste. The Plummes are of two kindes, red and gray, of the
making and bignesse of nuts, and haue three or foure stones in them.
These are better than all the plummes of Spaine, & they make farre
better Prunes of them. In the Grapes there is onelie want of dressing:
for though they bee big, they have a great Kirnell. All other fruits
are very perfect, and lesse hurtfull than those of Spaine.
[Sidenote: Beasts.] There are in Florida many Beares, and Lyons, Wolues,
Deere, Dogges, Cattes, Marterns, and Conies. [Sidenote: Fowles.] There
be many wild Hennes as big as Turkies, Partridges small like those of
Africa, Cranes, Duckes, Pigeons, Thrushes and Sparrowes. There are
certaine Blacke birds bigger then Sparrowes, and lesser then Stares.
There are Gosse Hawkes, Falcons, Ierfalcons, and all Fowles of prey that
are in Spaine.
The Indians are well proportioned. Those of the plaine Countries are
taller of bodie, and better shapen, then those of the Mountaines. Those
of the Inland haue greater store of Maiz, and commodities of the
Countrie, then those that dwell vpon the sea coast. The Countrie along
the sea coast is barren and poore: and the people more warlike. The
coast runneth from Puerto del Spiritu Santo to Apalache, East and West;
and from Apalache to Rio de las Palmas from East to West: from Rio de
las Palmas vnto Nueua Espanna from North to South. It is a gentle coast,
but it hath many sholdes, and great shelues of sand.
Deo gratias.
This relation of the discouerie of Florida was printed in the house of
Andrew de Burgos, Printer and Gentleman of the house of my Lord
Cardinall the Infante.
It was finished the tenth of Februarie in the yeere one thousand, fiue
hundred, fiftie and seuen, in the noble and most loyall citie of Euora.