against my will have done amiss in absenting themselves, I went my way
without your license; and knowing the error which I have committed, like
a loyal subject, I come to yield myself into your power, to dispose of
me at your own pleasure. For my subjects do not obey me, nor do anything
but what an uncle of mine commandeth, which governeth this country for
me, until I be of a perfect age. If your lordship will pursue them, and
execute on them that, which for their disobedience they deserve, I will
be your guide, since at this present my fortune will not suffer me to
perform any more."
Presently, the Governor with thirty horsemen, and as many footmen, went
to seek the Indians, and passing by some towns of the principal Indians
which had absented themselves, he cut and destroyed great fields of
maize; and went up the river, where the Indians were in an island, where
the horsemen could not come at them. There he sent them word by an
Indian to return to their town and fear nothing, and that they should
give his men to carry burdens, as all those behind had done; for he
would have no Indian women, seeing they were so loth to part with them.
The Indians accepted his request, and came to the Governor to excuse
themselves; and so all of them returned to their town. A cacique of a
province called _Coste_, came to this town to visit the Governor. After
he had offered himself, and passed with him some words of tendering his
service and courtesy, the Governor asking him whether he had notice of
any rich country? he said yea: to wit, that toward the north there was a
province named _Chisca_:[G] and that there was a melting of copper, and
of another metal of the same color, save that it was finer, and of a far
more perfect color, and far better to the sight; and that they used it
not so much, because it was softer. And the self same thing was told the
Governor in _Cutifachiqui_, where we saw some little hatchets of copper,
which were said to have a mixture of gold. But in that part the country
was not well peopled, and they said there were mountains, which the
horses could not pass: and for that cause, the Governor would not go
from _Cutifachiqui_ directly thither: and he made account, that
traveling through a peopled country, when his men and horses should be
in better plight, and he were better certified of the truth of the
thing, he would return toward it, by mountains, and a better inhabited
country, whereby he might have better passage. He sent two Christians
from _Chiaha_ with certain Indians which knew the country of _Chisca_,
and the language thereof, to view it, and to make report of that which
they should find; where he told them that he would tarry for them.
When the Governor was determined to depart from _Chiaha_ to _Coste_, he
sent for the cacique to come before him, and with gentle words took his
leave of him, and gave him certain things, wherewith he rested much
contented. In seven days he came to _Coste_. The second of July he
commanded his camp to be pitched two crossbow shots from the town: and
with eight men of his guard he went where he found the cacique, which to
his thinking received him with great love. As he was talking with him,
there went from the camp certain footmen to the town to seek some maize,
and not contented with it, they ransacked and searched the houses, and
took what they found. With this despite, the Indians began to rise and
to take their arms: and some of them, with cudgels in their hands, ran
upon five or six Christians, which had done them wrong, and beat them at
their pleasure. The Governor seeing them all in an uproar, and himself
among them with so few Christians, to escape their hands used a
stratagem, far against his own disposition, being, as he was, very frank
and open: and though it grieved him very much that any Indian should be
so bold, as with reason, or without reason to despise the Christians, he
took up a cudgel, and took their parts against his own men; which was a
means to quiet them. And presently he sent word by a man very secretly
to the camp, that some armed men should come toward the place where he
was; and he took the cacique by the hand, using very mild words unto
him, and with some principal Indians that did accompany him, he drew
them out of the town into a plain way, and unto the sight of the camp,
whither by little and little with good discretion the Christians began
to come and to gather about them. Thus the Governor led the cacique and
his chief men until he entered with them into the camp: and near unto
his tent he commanded them to be put in safe custody; and told them that
they should not depart without giving him a guide and Indians for
burdens, and till certain sick Christians were come, which he had
commanded to come down the river in canoes from _Chiaha_; and those also
which he had sent to the province of _Chisca_: (for they were not
returned; and he feared that the Indians had slain the one, and the
other.) Within three days after, those which were sent to _Chisca_
returned, and made report that the Indians had carried them through a
country so poor of maize, and so rough, and over so high mountains, that
it was impossible for the army to travel that way; and that seeing the
way grew very long, and that they lingered much, they consulted to
return from a little poor town, where they saw nothing that was of any
profit, and brought an ox hide, which the Indians gave them, as thin as
a calf's skin, and the hair like a soft wool, between the coarse and
fine wool of sheep. The cacique gave a guide, and men for burdens, and
departed with the Governor's leave. The Governor departed from _Coste_
the ninth of July, and lodged at a town called _Tali_. The cacique came
forth to receive him on the way, and made this speech:--
"Excellent lord and prince, worthy to be served and obeyed of all the
princes in the world; howsoever for the most part by the outward
physiognomy the inward virtue may be judged, and that who you are, and
of what strength, was known unto me before now: I will not infer
hereupon how mean I am in your presence, to hope that my poor services
will be grateful and acceptable: since whereas strength faileth, the
will doth not cease to be praised and accepted. And for this cause I
presume to request your lordship, that you will be pleased only to
respect the same, and consider wherein you will command my service in
this your country."
The Governor answered him, that his good-will and offer was as
acceptable unto him as if he had offered him all the treasures of the
world, and that he would always entreat, favor, and esteem him as if he
were his own brother. The cacique commanded provision necessary for two
days, while the Governor was there, to be brought thither: and at the
time of his departure, he gave him four women and two men, which he had
need of to bear burdens. The Governor traveled six days through many
towns subject to the cacique of _Coca_: and as he entered into his
country many Indians came unto him every day from the cacique, and met
him on the way with messages, one going, and another coming. He came to
_Coca_ upon Friday, the 26th of July. The cacique came forth to receive
him two crossbow shots from the town in a chair, which his principal men
carried on their shoulders, sitting upon a cushion, and covered with a
garment of marterns, of the fashion and bigness of a woman's huke: he
had on his head a diadem of feathers, and round about him many Indians
playing upon flutes, and singing. As soon as he came unto the Governor,
he did his obeyance, and uttered these words following:--
"Excellent and mighty lord, above all them of the earth, although I come
but now to receive you, yet I have received you many days ago in my
heart, to wit, from the day wherein I had first notice of your lordship:
with so great desire to serve you, with so great pleasure and
contentment, that this which I make show of, is nothing in regard of
that which is in my heart, neither can it have any kind of comparison.
This you may hold for certain, that to obtain the dominion of the whole
world, would not have rejoiced me so much as your sight, neither would I
have held it for so great a felicity. Do not look for me to offer you
that which is your own, to wit, my person, my lands, and subjects; only
I will busy myself in commanding my men with all diligence and due
reverence to welcome you from hence to the town with playing and
singing, where your lordship shall be lodged and attended upon by myself
and them; and all that I possess your lordship shall use as it were your
own. For your lordship shall do me a very great favor in so doing."
The Governor gave him thanks, and with great joy they both went
conferring together till they came to the town; and he commanded his
Indians to void their houses, wherein the Governor and his men were
lodged. There was in the barns and in the fields great store of maize
and French beans. The country was greatly inhabited with many great
towns, and many sown fields, which reached from the one to the other. It
was pleasant, fat, full of good meadows upon rivers. There were in the
fields many plum trees, as well of such as grow in _Spain_ as of the
country; and wild tall vines, that run up the trees; and besides these
there were other low vines with big and sweet grapes; but for want of
digging and dressing, they had great kernels in them. The Governor used
to set a guard over the caciques, because they should not absent
themselves, and carried them with him till he came out of their
countries; because that carrying them along with him, he looked to find
people in the towns, and they gave him guides, and men to carry burdens;
and before he went out of their countries, he gave them license to
return to their houses, and to their porters likewise, as soon as he
came to any other lordship where they gave him others. The men of _Coca_
seeing their lord detained, took it in evil part, and revolted, and hid
themselves in the woods, as well those of the town of the cacique, as
those of the other towns of his principal subjects. The Governor sent
out four captains, every one his way, to seek them. They took many men
and women, which were put into chains. They seeing the hurt which they
received, and how little they gained in absenting themselves, came
again, promising to do whatsoever they were commanded. Of those which
were taken prisoners, some principal men were set at liberty, whom the
cacique demanded; and every one that had any, carried the rest in chains
like slaves, without letting them go to their country. Neither did any
return, but some few, whose fortune helped them with the good diligence
which they used to file off their chains by night, or such as in their
traveling could slip aside out of the way, seeing any negligence in them
that kept them; some escaped away with the chains, and with the burdens
and clothes which they carried.
The Governor rested in _Coca_ twenty-five days. He departed from thence
the twentieth of August, to seek a province called _Tascaluca_; he
carried with him the cacique of _Coca_. He passed that day by a great
town called _Tallimuchase_; the people were fled; he lodged half a
league further, near a brook. The next day he came to a town called
_Ytaua_, subject to _Coca_. He staid there six days, because of a river
that passed by it, which at that time was very high; and as soon as the
river suffered him to pass, he set forward, and lodged at a town named
_Ullibahali_. There came to him on the way, of the caciques in behalf of
that province, ten or twelve principal Indians to offer him their
service; all of them had their plumes of feathers, and bows and arrows.
The Governor coming to the town with twelve horsemen, and some footmen
of his guard, leaving his people a crossbow shot from the town, entered
into it; he found all the Indians with their weapons, and as far as he
could guess, they seemed to have some evil meaning. It was known
afterwards that they were determined to take the cacique of _Coca_ from
the Governor, if he had requested it. The Governor commanded all his
people to enter the town, which was walled about, and near unto it
passed a small river. The wall, as well of that as of others, which
afterwards we saw, was of great posts thrust deep into the ground, and
very rough; and many long rails, as big as one's arm, laid across
between them, and the wall was about the height of a lance, and it was
daubed within and without with clay, and had loopholes. On the other
side of the river was a town, where at that present the cacique was. The
Governor sent to call him, and he came presently. After he had passed
with the Governor some words of offering his services, he gave him such
men for his carriages as he needed, and thirty women for slaves. In that
place was a Christian lost, called _Mancano_, born in _Salamanca_, of
noble parentage, which went astray to seek for grapes, whereof there is
great store, and those very good. The day that the Governor departed
from thence, he lodged at a town, subject to the lord of _Ullibahali_;
and the next day he came to another town called _Toasi_. The Indians
gave the Governor thirty women, and such men for his carriages as he
needed. He traveled ordinarily five or six leagues a day, when he
traveled through peopled countries; and going through deserts, he
marched as fast as he could, to eschew the want of maize. From _Toasi_,
passing through some towns subject to a cacique, which was lord of a
province called _Tallise_, he traveled five days. He came to _Tallise_
the 18th of September. The town was great, and situated near unto a main
river. On the other side of the river were other towns, and many fields
sown with maize. On both sides it was a very plentiful country, and had
store of maize; they had voided the town. The Governor commanded to call
the cacique; who came, and between them passed some words of love and
offer of his services, and he presented unto him forty Indians. There
came to the Governor in this town, a principal Indian in the behalf of
the cacique of _Tascaluca_, and made this speech following:--
"Mighty, virtuous, and esteemed lord, the great cacique of _Tascaluca_,
my lord, sendeth by me to kiss your lordship's hands, and to let you
understand that he hath notice how you justly ravish with your
perfections and power, all men on the earth and that every one by whom
your lordship passeth, doth serve and obey you, which he acknowledgeth
to be due unto you, and desireth, as his life, to see and to serve your
lordship. For which cause by me he offereth himself, his lands and
subjects, that when your lordship pleaseth to go through his country,
you may be received with all peace and love, served and obeyed; and that
in recompense of the desire he hath to see you, you will do him the
favor to let him know when you will come; for how much the sooner, so
much the greater favor he shall receive."
The Governor received and dispatched him graciously, giving him beads,
which among them were not much esteemed, and some other things to carry
to his lord. And he gave license to the Cacique of _Coca_ to return home
to his own country. The Cacique of _Tallise_ gave him such men for
burdens as he needed. And after he had rested there twenty days, he
departed thence towards _Tascaluca_. That day when he went from
_Tallise_, he lodged at a great town called _Casiste_. And the next day
passed by another, and came to a small town of _Tascaluca_; and the next
day he camped in a wood, two leagues from the town where the cacique
resided, and was at that time. And he sent the master of the camp, _Luys
de Moscoso_, with fifteen horsemen, to let him know he was coming. The
cacique was in his lodgings under a canopy; and without doors, right
against his lodgings, in a high place, they spread a mat for him, and
two cushions one upon another, where he sat him down, and his Indians
placed themselves round about him, somewhat distant from him, so that
they made a place, and a void room where he sat; and his chiefest men
were nearest to him, and one with a shadow of deer skin, which kept the
sun from him, being round and of the bigness of a target, quartered with
black and white, having a rundle in the midst; afar off it seemed to be
of taffeta, because the colors were very perfect. It was set on a small
staff stretched wide out. This was the device which he carried in his
wars. He was a man of a very tall stature, of great limbs, and spare,
and well proportioned, and was much feared of his neighbors and
subjects. He was lord of many territories and much people. In his
countenance he was very grave. After the master of the camp had spoken
with him, he and those that went with him coursed their horses, prancing
them to and fro, and now and then towards the place where the cacique
was, who, with much gravity and dissimulation now and then lifted up his
eyes, and beheld them, as it were, with disdain. At the Governor's
coming, he made no offer at all to rise. The Governor took him by the
hand, and both of them sat down together on a seat which was under the
cloth of state. The cacique said these words unto him:--
"Mighty lord, I bid your lordship right heartily welcome. I receive as
much pleasure and contentment with your sight, as if you were my
brother, whom I dearly loved; upon this point it is not needful to use
many reasons; since it is no discretion to speak that in many words,
which in few may be uttered. How much the greater the will is, so much
more giveth it name to the works, and the works give testimony of the
truth. Now touching my will, by it you shall know how certain and
manifest it is, and how pure inclination I have to serve you. Concerning
the favor which you did me, in the things which you sent me, I make as
much account of them as is reason to esteem them, and chiefly because
they were yours. Now see what service you will command me."
The Governor satisfied him with sweet words and with great brevity. When
he departed from thence he determined to carry him along with him for
some cause, and at two days' journey he came to a town called _Piache_,
by which there passed a great river. The Governor demanded canoes of the
Indians; they said they had them not, but that they would make rafts of
canes and dry timber, on which he might pass well enough. And they made
them with all diligence and speed, and they governed them; and because
the water went very slow, the Governor and his people passed very well.
From the _Port de Spirito Santo_ to _Apalache_, which is about an
hundred leagues, the Governor went from east to west; and from
_Apalache_ to _Cutifachiqui_, which are four hundred and thirty leagues
from the south-west to the north-east; and from _Cutifachiqui_ to
_Xualla_, which are about two hundred and fifty leagues from the south
to the north; and from _Xualla_ to _Tascaluca_, which are two hundred
and fifty leagues more, an hundred and ninety of them he traveled from
east to west, to wit, to the province of _Coca_, and the other sixty
from _Coca_ to _Tascaluca_ from the north to the south.
Having passed the river of _Piache_, a Christian went from his company
from thence to seek a woman slave that was run away from him, and the
Indians either took him captive, or slew him. The Governor urged the
cacique that he should give account of him, and threatened him that if
he were not found he would never let him loose. The cacique sent an
Indian from thence to _Mavilla_, whither they were traveling, which was
a town of a principal Indian and his subject, saying that he sent him to
advise them to make ready victuals, and men for carriages. But (as
afterwards appeared) he sent him to assemble all the men of war thither
that he had in his country. The Governor traveled three days, and the
third day he passed all day through a peopled country, and he came to
_Mavilla_ upon Monday the 18th of October, 1540. He went before the camp
with fifteen horsemen and thirty footmen. And from the town came a
Christian, whom he had sent to the principal man, three or four days
before, because he should not absent himself, and also to learn in what
sort the Indians were; who told him that he thought they were in an evil
purpose; for while he was there, there came many people into the town,
and many weapons, and that they made great haste to fortify the walls.
_Luys de Moscoso_ told the Governor that it would be good to lodge in
the field, seeing the Indians were of such disposition; and he answered,
that he would lodge in the town, for he was weary of lodging in the
field. When he came near unto the town, the cacique came forth to
receive him with many Indians playing upon flutes and singing. And after
he had offered himself, he presented him with three mantles of marterns.
The Governor, with both the caciques, and seven or eight men of his
guard, and three or four horsemen, which alighted to accompany him,
entered into the town, and sat him down under a cloth of state. The
cacique of _Tascaluca_ requested him that he would let him remain in
that town, and trouble him no more with traveling. And seeing he would
not give him leave, in his talk he changed his purpose, and
dissemblingly feigned that he would speak with some principal Indians,
and rose up from the place where he sat with the Governor, and entered
into a house, where many Indians were with their bows and arrows. The
Governor when he saw he returned not, called him, and he answered that
he would not come out from thence, neither would he go any farther than
that town, and that if he would go his way in peace, he should presently
depart, and should not seek to carry him perforce out of his country and
territory.