_We resolve to return to Cuba. The extreme thirst we suffered, and
all the fatigues we underwent until our arrival in the port of
Havannah._
After we had got into our vessels, as above related, and returned thanks
to God for our preservation, we commenced dressing our wounds. None of
us had escaped without two, three, or four wounds. Our captain had as
many as twelve, and there was only one single soldier who came off
whole. We therefore determined to return to Cuba; but as most of the
sailors who had accompanied us on shore were also wounded, we had not
sufficient hands to work the sails, we were therefore forced to set fire
to our smallest vessel and leave it to the mercy of the waves, after
taking out all the ropes, sails, and anchors, and distributing the
sailors, who were not wounded equally among the two other vessels. We
had, however, to struggle with another far greater evil. This was our
great want of fresh water; for although we had filled our barrels and
casks near Potonchan, we did not succeed to bring them off, owing to the
furious attack of the natives and the hurry we were in to get on board:
thus we had been compelled to leave them behind and return without a
single drop of water. We suffered most intensely from thirst, and the
only way we could in some measure refresh our parched tongues was to
hold the edges of our axes between our lips. Oh, what a fearful
undertaking it is to venture out on the discovery of new countries, and
place one's life in danger, as we were obliged to do! Those alone can
form any idea of it who have gone through the hard school of experience.
We now kept as close into the shore as possible, to look out for some
stream or creek where we might meet with fresh water. After thus
continuing our course for three days we espied an inlet or mouth of some
river as we thought, and sent a few hands on shore in the hopes of
meeting with water. These were fifteen sailors who had remained on board
during the battle at Potonchan, and three soldiers who had been only
slightly wounded. They carried along with them pickaxes and three small
casks. But the water in the inlet was salt, and wherever they dug wells
it was equally bad. They nevertheless filled the casks with it, but it
was so bitter and salty as to be unfit for use. Two soldiers who drank
of it became ill of the consequences. The water here swarmed with
lizards; we therefore gave this place the name of Lizard Bay, under
which name it stands on the sea charts.
But, to continue my history, I must not forget to mention that while
our boats were on shore in search of water, there suddenly arose such a
violent tempest from the north-east, that our ships were nigh being cast
on shore. For, as we were forced to lay to, the wind blowing hard from
the north and north-east, our position was extremely dangerous, from a
scarcity of ropes.
When the men who had gone on shore with our boats perceived the danger
we were in, they hastened to our assistance, and cast out additional
anchors and cables. In this way we lay for two days and two nights.
After the expiration of that time we again heaved our anchors and
steered in the direction of Cuba. Our pilot Alaminos here held a
consultation with the two others, when they concluded that the best plan
would be to get, if possible, into the latitude of Florida, which,
according to their charts and furthest measurement, could not be more
than 210 miles distant; for they assured us if we could get into the
latitude of Florida, we should have a better and speedier sail to the
Havannah. It turned out exactly as they had said; for Alaminos had been
in these parts before, having accompanied Juan de Leon when he
discovered Florida, about ten or twelve years previously. After four
days' sail we crossed this gulf and came in sight of Florida.