this my so great prosperity with some small adversity; and I will count
myself very rich, seeing that I have obtained that which in this world I
most desired, which is to see and be able to do your lordship some
service. And although the tongue be the image of that which is in the
heart, and that the contentment which I feel in my heart I cannot
dissemble, yet is it not sufficient wholly to manifest the same. Where
did this your country, which I do govern, deserve to be visited of so
sovereign and so excellent a prince, whom all the rest of the world
ought to obey and serve? And those which inhabit it being so base, what
shall be the issue of such happiness, if their memory do not represent
unto them some adversity that may betide them, according to the order of
fortune? If from this day forward we may be capable of this benefit,
that your lordship will hold us for your own, we cannot fail to be
favored and maintained in true justice and reason, and to have the name
of men. For such as are void of reason and justice, may be compared to
brute beasts. For mine own part, from my very heart with reverence due
to such a prince, I offer myself unto your lordship, and beseech you,
that in reward of this my true good will, you will vouchsafe to make use
of mine own person, my country, and subjects."
The Governor answered him, that his offers and good-will declared by the
effect, did highly please him, whereof he would always be mindful to
honor and favor him as his brother. This country, from the first
peaceable cacique, unto the province of _Patofa_, which were fifty
leagues, is a fat country, beautiful, and very fruitful, and very well
watered, and full of good rivers. And from thence to the _Port de
Spirito Santo_, where we first arrived in the land of _Florida_ (which
may be three hundred and fifty leagues, little more or less), is a
barren land, and the most of it groves of wild pine trees, low and full
of lakes, and in some places very high and thick groves, whither the
Indians that were in arms fled, so that no man could find them, neither
could any horses enter into them, which was an inconvenience to the
Christians, in regard of the victuals which they found conveyed away;
and of the troubles which they had in seeking of Indians to be their
guides.
In the town of _Patofa_ the youth which the Governor carried with him
for an interpreter and a guide, began to foam at the mouth, and tumble
on the ground, as one possessed with the devil: they said a gospel over
him, and the fit left him. And he said, that four days' journey from
thence toward the sun rising, was the province that he spoke of. The
Indians of _Patofa_ said, that toward that part they knew no habitation;
but that toward the north-west, they knew a province which was called
_Coca_, a very plentiful country, which had very great towns in it. The
cacique told the Governor that if he would go thither, he would give him
guides and Indians for burdens; and if he would go whither the youth
spake of, that he would likewise give him those that he needed; and so
with loving words and offers of courtesy, they took their leaves the one
of the other. He gave him seven hundred Indians to bear burdens. He took
maize for four days' journey. He traveled six days by a path which grew
narrow more and more, till it was lost altogether. He went where the
youth did lead him, and passed two rivers, which were waded: each of
them was two crossbow shots over; the water came to the stirrups, and
had so great a current, that it was needful for the horsemen to stand
one before another, that the footmen might pass above them, leaning unto
them. He came to another river of a great current and largeness, which
was passed with more trouble, because the horses did swim at the coming
out, about a lance's length. Having passed this river, the Governor came
to a grove of pine trees, and threatened the youth, and made as though
he would have cast him to the dogs, because he had told him a lie,
saying, it was but four days' journey, and they had traveled nine, and
every day seven or eight leagues, and the men by this time were grown
weary and weak, and the horses lean through the great scanting of the
maize. The youth said that he knew not where he was. It saved him that
he was not cast to the dogs, that there was never another whom _John
Ortiz_ did understand. The Governor, with them two, and with some
horsemen and footmen, leaving the camp in a grove of pine trees,
traveled that day five or six leagues to seek a way, and returned at
night very comfortless, and without finding any sign of way or town. The
next day there were sundry opinions delivered, whether they should go
back, or what they should do; and because backward the country whereby
they had passed was greatly spoiled, and destitute of maize, and that
which they brought with them was spent, and the men were very weak, and
the horses likewise, they doubted much whether they might come to any
place where they might help themselves. And besides this, they were of
opinion, that going in that sort out of order, that any Indians would
presume to set upon them, so that with hunger or with war, they could
not escape. The Governor determined to send horsemen from thence every
way to seek habitation; and the next day he sent four captains, every
one a sundry way with eight horsemen. At night they came again, leading
their horses, or driving them with a stick before; for they were weary,
that they could not lead them, neither found they any way or sign of
habitation. The next day the Governor sent other four with as many
horsemen that could swim, to pass the swamps and rivers which they
should find, and they had choice horses, the best that were in the camp.
The captains were _Baltasar de Gallegos_, which went up the river; and
_John Danusco_ down the river; _Alfonso Romo_ and _John Rodriguez
Lobillo_ went into the inward parts of the land. The Governor brought
with him into _Florida_ thirteen sows, and had by this time three
hundred swine. He commanded every man should have half a pound of hog's
flesh every day, and this he did three or four days after the maize was
all spent. With this small quantity of flesh, and some sodden herbs,
with much trouble the people were sustained. The Governor dismissed the
Indians of _Patofa_, because he had no food to give them; who desiring
to accompany and serve the Christians in their necessity, making show
that it grieved them very much to return until they had left them in a
peopled country, returned to their own home. _John Danusco_ came on
Sunday late in the evening, and brought news that he had found a little
town twelve or thirteen leagues from thence: he brought a woman and a
boy that he took there. With his coming and with those news, the
Governor and all the rest were so glad that they seemed at that instant
to have returned from death to life. Upon Monday, the twenty-sixth of
April, the Governor departed to go to the town, which was called
_Aymay_; and the Christians named it the town of _Relief_. He left where
the camp had lain at the foot of a pine tree, a letter buried, and
letters carved in the bark of the pine, the contents whereof was this:
Dig here at the foot of this pine, and you shall find a letter. And this
he did, because when the captains came, which were sent to seek some
habitation, they might see the letter, and know what was become of the
Governor, and which way he was gone. There was no other way to the town,
but the marks that _John Danusco_ left made upon the trees. The
Governor, with some of them that had the best horses, came to it on the
Monday; and all the rest inforcing themselves the best way they could,
some of them lodged within two leagues of the town, some within three
and four, every one as he was able to go, and his strength served him.
There was found in the town a store-house full of the flour of parched
maize; and some maize, which was distributed by allowance. Here were
four Indians taken, and none of them would confess any other thing, but
that they knew of none other habitation. The Governor commanded one of
them to be burned, and presently another confessed that two days'
journey from thence, there was a province that was called
_Cutifachiqui_. Upon Wednesday came the captains _Baltasar de Gallegos,
Alfonso Romo_, and _John Rodriguez Lobillo_, for they had found the
letter, and followed the way which the Governor had taken toward the
town. Two men of _John Rodriguez's_ company were lost, because their
horses tired; the Governor checked him very sore for leaving them
behind, and sent to seek them; and as soon as they came he departed
toward _Cutifachiqui_. In the way three Indians were taken, which said
that the lady of that country had notice already of the Christians, and
stayed for them in a town of hers. The Governor sent by one of them to
offer her his friendship, and to advertise her how he was coming
thither. The Governor came unto the town, and presently there came four
canoes to him; in one of them came a sister of the lady, and approaching
to the Governor she said these words:
"Excellent lord, my sister sendeth unto you by me to kiss your
lordship's hands, and to signify unto you that the cause why she came
not in person, is, that she thinketh to do you greater service staying
behind, as she doth, giving order that with all speed all her canoes be
ready, that your lordship may pass the river, and take your rest, which
shall presently be performed."
The Governor gave her thanks, and she returned to the other side of the
river. Within a little while the lady (Cutifachiqui) came out of the
town in a chair, whereon certain of the principal Indians brought her to
the river. She entered into a barge which had the stern tilted over, and
on the floor her mat ready laid with two cushions upon it one upon
another, where she sat her down; and with her came her principal Indians
in other barges, which did wait upon her. She went to the place where
the Governor was, and at her coming she made this speech following:
"Excellent lord, I wish this coming of your lordship into these your
countries to be most happy; although my power be not answerable to my
will, and my services be not according to my desire, nor such as so high
a prince as your lordship deserveth; yet since the good-will is rather
to be accepted than all the treasures of the world, that without it are
offered with most unfailable and manifest affection, I offer you my
person, lands, and subjects, and this small service."
And therewithal she presented unto him great store of clothes of the
country, which she brought in other canoes, to wit, mantles and skins;
and took from her own neck a great cordon of pearls, and cast it about
the neck of the Governor, entertaining him with very gracious speeches
of love and courtesy, and commanded canoes to be brought thither,
wherein the Governor and his people passed the river. As soon as he was
lodged in the town, she (Cutifachiqui) sent him another present of many
hens. This country was very pleasant, fat, and hath goodly meadows by
the rivers. Their woods are thin, and full of walnut trees and mulberry
trees. They said the sea was two days' journey from thence. Within a
league and half a league about this town were great towns dispeopled,
and overgrown with grass; which showed that they had been long without
inhabitants. The Indians said that two years before there was a plague
in that country, and that they removed to other towns. There was in
their store-houses great quantity of clothes, mantles of yarn made of
the barks of trees, and others made of feathers, white, green, red, and
yellow, very fine after their use, and profitable for winter. There were
also many deer's skins, with many compartments traced in them, and some
of them made into hose, stockings, and shoes. And the lady perceiving
that the Christians esteemed the pearls, advised the Governor to send to
search certain graves that were in that town, and that he should find
many; and that if he would send to the dispeopled towns he might load
all his horses. They sought the graves of that town, and there found
fourteen rows of pearls (three hundred and ninety-two pounds), and
little babies and birds made of them. The people were brown, well made,
and well proportioned, and more civil than any others that were seen in
all the country of _Florida_, and all of them went shod and clothed. The
youth told the Governor that he began now to enter into the land which
he spoke of; and some credit was given him that it was so, because he
understood the language of the Indians; and he requested that he might
be christened, for he said he desired to become a Christian. He was
christened, and named _Peter_; and the Governor commanded him to be
loosed from a chain, in which until that time he had gone. This country,
as the Indians reported, had been much inhabited, and had the fame of a
good country. And as it seemeth, the youth, which was the Governor's
guide, had heard of it, and that which he knew by hearsay, he affirmed
that he had seen, and augmented at his pleasure. In this town was found
a dagger, and beads that belonged to Christians. The Indians reported
that Christians had been in the haven (St. Helena), which was two days'
journey from this town, many years ago. He that came thither was the
Governor, the _Licentiate Lucas Vasquez de Ayllon_, which went to
conquer this country, and at his coming to the port he died (1525); and
there was a division, quarrels and slaughters between some principal men
which went with him, for the principal government. And without knowing
anything of the country, they returned home to _Hispaniola_. All the
company thought it good to inhabit that country, because it was in a
temperate climate (32 deg. 30'). And that if it were inhabited, all the
ships of New Spain, of _Peru_, _Santa Martha_, and _Terra Firma_, in
their return for _Spain_ might well touch there, because it was in their
way, and because it was a good country, and sited fit to raise
commodity. The Governor, since his intent was to seek another treasure,
like that of _Atabalipa_, Lord of _Peru_, was not contented with a good
country, nor with pearls, though many of them were worth their weight in
gold. And if the country had been divided among the Christians, those
which the Indians had fished for afterwards would have been of more
value; for those which they had, because they burned them in the fire,
did lessen their color. The Governor answered them that urged him to
inhabit, that in all the country there were not victuals to sustain his
men one month; and that it was needful to resort to the Port of _Ocus_,
where _Maldonado_ was to stay for them: and that if no richer country
were found, they might return again to that whensoever they would; and
in the meantime the Indians would sow their fields, and it would be
better furnished with maize. He inquired of the Indians whether they had
notice of any great lord farther into the land. They told him that
twelve days' journey from thence[F] there was a province called
_Chiaha_, subject to the Lord of _Coca_. Presently the Governor
determined to seek that land. And being a stern man, and of few words,
though he was glad to sift and know the opinion of all men, yet after he
had delivered his own, he would not be contraried, and always did what
liked himself, and so all men did condescend unto his will. And though
it seemed an error to leave that country (for others might have been
sought round about, where the people might have been sustained until the
harvest had been ready there, and the maize gathered), yet there was
none that would say anything against him, after they knew his
resolution.
The Governor departed from _Cutifachiqui_ the third day of May. And
because the Indians had revolted, and the will of the lady was
perceived, that if she could, she would depart without giving any guides
or men for burden, for the wrongs which the Christians had done to the
Indians (for there never want some among many of a base sort, that for
a little gain do put themselves and others in danger of undoing), the
Governor commanded her to be kept in safeguard, and carried with him,
not with so good usage as she deserved for the good-will she showed, and
good entertainment that she had made him. And he verified that old
proverb which saith: "For well-doing I receive evil." And so he carried
her on foot with his bondwomen to look unto her. In all the towns where
the Governor passed, the lady commanded the Indians to come and carry
the burdens from one town to another. We passed through her country an
hundred leagues, in which, as we saw, she was much obeyed, for the
Indians did all that she commanded them with great efficacy and
diligence. _Peter_, the youth that was our guide, said that she was not
the lady herself, but a niece of hers, which came to that town to
execute certain principal men by commandment of the lady, which had
withheld her tribute; which words were not believed, because of the lies
which they had found in him before; but they bare with all things
because of the need which they had of him to declare what the Indians
said. In seven days' space the Governor came to a province called
_Ohalaque_, the poorest country of maize that was seen in _Florida_. The
Indians feed upon roots and herbs, which they seek in the fields, and
upon wild beasts, which they kill with their bows and arrows, and are a
very gentle people. All of them go naked, and are very lean. There was a
Lord (Cutifachiqui), which for a great present, brought the Governor two
deer skins; and there were in that country many wild hens. In one town
they made him a present of seven hundred hens, and so in other towns
they sent him those which they had or could get. From this province to
another, which is called _Xualla_, he spent five days. Here he found
very little maize, and for this cause, though the people were wearied,
and the horses very weak, he staid no more but two days. From _Ocute_ to
_Cutifachiqui_, may be some hundred and thirty leagues, whereof eighty
are wilderness. From _Cutifachiqui_ to _Xualla_ two hundred and fifty,
and it is a hilly country. The Governor departed from _Xualla_ towards
_Guaxule_--he passed very rough and high hills. In that journey, the
lady of _Cutifachiqui_ (whom the Governor carried with him, as is
aforesaid, with purpose to carry her to _Guaxule_, because her territory
reached thither), going on a day with the bondwomen which led her, went
out of the way, and entered into a wood, saying she went to ease
herself, and so she deceived them, and hid herself in the wood; and
though they sought her they could not find her. She carried away with
her a little chest made of canes in manner of a coffer, which they call
petaca, full of unbored pearls. Some which could judge of them, said
that they were of great value. An Indian woman that waited on her did
carry them. The Governor, not to discontent her altogether, left them
with her, making account that in _Guaxule_ he would ask them of her,
when he gave her leave to return; which coffer she carried away and went
to _Xualla_ with three slaves which fled from the camp, and one horseman
which remained behind, who, falling sick of an ague, went out of the way
and was lost. This man, whose name was _Alimamos_, dealt with the slaves
to change their evil purpose, and return with him to the Christians,
which two of them did; and _Alimamos_ and they overtook the Governor
fifty leagues from thence in a province called _Chiaha_; and reported
how the lady remained in _Xualla_ with a slave of _Andrew de
Vasconcelos_, which would not come back with them; and that of a
certainty they lived as man and wife together, and meant to go both to
_Cutifachiqui_. Within five days the Governor came to _Guaxule_. The
Indians there gave him a present of three hundred dogs, because they saw
the Christians esteem them, and sought them to feed on them; for among
them they are not eaten. In _Guaxule_, and all that way, was very little
maize. The Governor sent from thence an Indian with a message to the
cacique of _Chiaha_, to desire him to gather some maize thither, that he
might rest a few days in _Chiaha_. The Governor departed from _Guaxule_,
and in two days' journey came to a town called _Canasagua_. There met
him on the way twenty Indians, every one loaded with a basketful of
mulberries; for there be many, and those very good, from _Cutifachiqui_
thither, and so forward in other provinces, and also nuts and plums. And
the trees grow in the fields without planting or dressing them, and as
big and as rank as though they grew in gardens digged and watered. From
the time that the Governor departed from _Canasagua_, he journeyed five
days through a desert; and two leagues before he came to _Chiaha_, there
met him fifteen Indians loaded with maize, which the cacique had sent;
and they told him on his behalf, that he waited his coming with twenty
barns full of it; and further, that himself, his country, and subjects,
and all things else were at his service. On the fifth day of June, the
Governor entered into _Chiaha_. The cacique voided his own houses, in
which he lodged, and received him with much joy, saying these words
following:--
"Mighty and excellent lord, I hold myself for so happy a man, in that it
hath pleased your lordship to use me, that nothing could have happened
unto me of more contentment, nor that I would have esteemed so much.
From _Guaxule_ your lordship sent unto me, that I should prepare maize
for you in this town for two months. Here I have for you twenty barns
full of the choicest that in all the country could be found. If your
lordship be not entertained by me in such sort as is fit for so high a
prince, respect my tender age, which excuseth me from blame, and receive
my good-will, which with much loyalty, truth and sincerity, I will
always show in anything which shall concern your lordship's service."
The Governor answered him that he thanked him very much for his service
and offer, and that he would always account him as his brother. There
was in this town much butter in gourds melted like oil--they said it was
the fat of bears. There was found, also, great store of oil of walnuts,
which was clear as butter, and of a good taste, and a pot full of honey
of bees, which neither before nor afterward was seen in all the country.
The town was an island between two arms of a river, and was seated nigh
one of them. The river divideth itself into those two branches, two
crossbow shots above the town, and meeteth again a league beneath the
same. The plain between both the branches is sometimes one crossbow
shot, sometimes two crossbow shots over. The branches are very broad,
and both of them may be waded over. There were along them very good
meadows, and many fields sown with maize. And because the Indians staid
in their town, the Governor only lodged in the houses of the cacique,
and his people in the fields; where there was ever a tree every one took
one for himself. Thus the camp lay separated one from another, and out
of order. The Governor winked at it, because the Indians were in peace,
and because it was very hot, and the people should have suffered great
extremity if it had not been so. The horses came thither so weak, that
for feebleness they were not able to carry their masters; because that
from _Cutifachiqui_ they always traveled with very little provender, and
were hunger-starved and tired ever since they came from the desert of
_Ocute_. And because the most of them were not in case to use in battle,
though need should require, they sent them to feed in the night a
quarter of a league from the camp. The Christians were there in great
danger, because that if at this time the Indians had set upon them, they
had been in evil case to have defended themselves. The Governor rested
there thirty days, in which time, because the country was very fruitful,
the horses grew fat. At the time of his departure, by the importunity
of some, which would have more than was reason, he demanded of the
cacique thirty women to make slaves of. He answered that he would confer
with his chief men. And before he returned an answer, one night all of
them with their wives and children forsook the town, and fled away. The
next day, the Governor proposing to go to seek them, the cacique came
unto him, and at his coming used these words unto the Governor:--