caciques served him with great store of fish, mantles, and skins, and
strove who should do him greatest service. At the time of his departure
the Cacique of _Pacaha_ gave him two of his sisters, saying that in sign
of love that he might remember him, he should take them for his wives:
the one's name was _Macanoche_, and the other's _Mochila_: they were
well proportioned, tall of body, and well fleshed. _Macanoche_ was of a
good countenance, and in her shape and physiognomy looked like a lady;
the other was strongly made. The Cacique of _Casqui_ commanded the
bridge to be repaired, and the Governor returned through his country,
and lodged in the field near his town, whither he came with great store
of fish, and two women, which he exchanged with two Christians for two
shirts. He gave us a guide and men for carriages. The Governor lodged at
a town of his, and the next day at another near a river, whither he
caused canoes to be brought for him to pass over, and with his leave
returned. The Governor took his journey toward _Quigaute_. The fourth
day of August he came to the town, where the cacique used to keep his
residence: on the way he sent him a present of many mantles and skins,
and not daring to stay for him in the town, he absented himself. The
town was the greatest that was seen in Florida. The Governor and his
people lodged in the one-half of it; and within few days, seeing the
Indians became liars, he commanded the other half to be burned, because
it should not be a shelter for them, if they came to assault him by
night, nor a hinderance to his horsemen for the resisting of them. There
came an Indian very well accompanied with many Indians, saying that he
was the cacique. He delivered him over to the men of his guard to look
unto him. There went and came many Indians, and brought mantles and
skins. The counterfeit cacique, seeing so little opportunity to execute
his evil thought, as he went one day abroad talking with the Governor,
he showed him such a pair of heels, that there was no Christian that
could overtake him, and he leaped into the river, which was a crossbow
shot from the town: and as soon as he was on the other side, many
Indians that were thereabout making a great cry began to shoot. The
Governor passed presently over to them with horsemen and footmen, but
they durst not tarry for him. Going forward on his way, he came to a
town where the people were fled, and a little further to a lake, where
the horses could not pass, and on the other side were many women. The
footmen passed, and took many of them, and much spoil. The Governor came
to the camp, and that night was a spy of the Indians taken by them of
the watch. The Governor asked him, whether he would bring him where the
cacique was? he said he would. And he went presently to seek him, with
twenty horsemen and fifty footmen; and after he had sought him a day and
a half, he found him in a strong wood: and a soldier, not knowing him,
gave him a wound on the head; and he cried out, that he should not kill
him, saying that he was the cacique; so he was taken, and a hundred and
forty of his men with him. The Governor came again to _Quigaute_, and
willed him to cause his men to come to serve the Christians; and
staying some days for their coming, and seeing they came not, he sent
two captains, every one his way on both sides of the river with horsemen
and footmen. They took many men and women. Now seeing the hurt which
they sustained for their rebellion, they came to see what the Governor
would command them, and passed to and fro many times, and brought
presents of cloth and fish. The cacique and his two wives were in the
lodging of the Governor loose, and the halberdiers of his guard did keep
them. The Governor asked them which way the country was most inhabited?
They said, that toward the south down the river, were great towns and
caciques, which commanded great countries, and much people. And that
toward the north-west, there was a province near to certain mountains,
that was called _Coligoa_. The Governor and all the rest thought good to
go first to _Coligoa_: saying, that peradventure the mountains would
make some difference of soil, and that beyond them there might be some
gold or silver. As for _Quigaute_, _Casqui_, and _Pacaha_, they were
plain countries, fat grounds, and full of good meadows on the rivers,
where the Indians sowed large fields of maize. From _Tascaluca_ to _Rio
Grande_, or the Great River, is about three hundred leagues: it is a
very low country, and hath many lakes. From _Pacaha_ to _Quigaute_ may
be an hundred leagues. The Governor left the Cacique of _Quigaute_ in
his own town. And an Indian, which was his guide, led him through great
woods without any way, seven days' journey through a desert, where, at
every lodging, they lodged in lakes and pools in very shoal water; there
was such store of fish, that they killed them with cudgels; and the
Indians which they carried in chains, with the mud troubled the waters,
and the fish being therewith, as it were, astonished, came to the top of
the water, and they took as much as they listed. The Indians of
_Coligoa_ had no knowledge of the Christians, and when they came so near
the town that the Indians saw them, they fled up a river which passed
near the town, and some leaped into it; but the Christians went on both
sides of the river, and took them. There were many men and women taken,
and the cacique with them. And by his commandment within three days came
many Indians with a present of mantles and deers' skins, and two ox
hides: and they reported, that five or six leagues from thence toward
the north, there were many of these oxen, and that because the country
was cold, it was evil inhabited; that the best country which they knew,
the most plentiful, and most inhabited, was a province called _Cayas_,
lying toward the south. From _Quigaute_ to _Coligoa_ may be forty
leagues. This town of _Coligoa_ stood at the foot of a hill, on the bank
of a mean river, of the bigness of _Cayas_, the river that passeth by
_Estremadura_. It was a fat soil and so plentiful of maize, that they
cast out the old, to bring in the new. There was also great plenty of
French beans and pompions. The French beans were greater, and better
than those of _Spain_, and likewise the pompions, and being roasted,
they have almost the taste of chestnuts. The Cacique of _Coligoa_ gave a
guide to _Cayas_, and stayed behind in his own town. We traveled five
days, and came to the province of _Palisema_. The house of the cacique
was found covered with deers' skins, of divers colors and works drawn in
them, and with the same in manner of carpets was the ground of the house
covered. The cacique left it so, that the Governor might lodge in it, in
token that he sought peace and his friendship. But he durst not tarry
his coming. The Governor, seeing he had absented himself, sent a captain
with horsemen and footmen to seek him. He found much people, but by
reason of the roughness of the country, he took none save a few women
and children. The town was little and scattering, and had very little
maize. For which cause the Governor speedily departed from thence. He
came to another town called _Tatalicoya_; he carried with him the
cacique thereof, which guided him to _Cayas_. From _Tatalicoya_ are four
days' journey to _Cayas_. When he came to _Cayas_, and saw the town
scattered, he thought they had told him a lie, and that it was not the
province of _Cayas_, because they had informed him that it was well
inhabited. He threatened the cacique, charging him to tell him where he
was: and he and other Indians which were taken near about that place,
affirmed that this was the town of _Cayas_, and the best that was in
that country, and that though the houses were distant the one from the
other, yet the ground that was inhabited was great, and that there was
great store of people, and many fields of maize. This town was called
_Tanico_; he pitched his camp in the best part of it, near unto a river.
The same day that the Governor came thither, he went a league farther
with certain horsemen, and without finding any people, he found many
skins in a pathway, which the cacique had left there, that they might be
found, in token of peace. For so is the custom in that country.
The Governor rested a month in the province of _Cayas_. In which time
the horses fattened and thrived more, than in other places in a longer
time, with the great plenty of maize and the leaves thereof, which I
think was the best that has been seen, and they drank of a lake of very
hot water, and somewhat brackish, and they drank so much, that it
swelled in their bellies when they brought them from the watering. Until
that time the Christians wanted salt, and there they made good store,
which they carried along with them. The Indians do carry it to other
places to exchange it for skins and mantles. They make it along the
river, which when it ebbeth, leaveth it upon the upper part of the sand.
And because they cannot make it, without much sand mingled with it, they
throw it into certain baskets which they have for that purpose, broad at
the mouth and narrow at the bottom, and set it in the air upon a bar,
and throw water into it, and set a small vessel under it, wherein it
falleth: Being strained and set to boil upon the fire, when the water is
sodden away, the salt remaineth in the bottom of the pan. On both sides
of the river the country was full of sown fields, and there was store of
maize. The Indians durst not come over where we were; and when some of
them showed themselves, the soldiers that saw them called unto them;
then the Indians passed the river, and came with them where the Governor
was. He asked them for the cacique. They said that he remained quiet,
but that he durst not show himself. The Governor presently sent him
word, that he should come unto him, and bring him a guide and an
interpreter for his journey, if he made account of his friendship: and
if he did not so, he would come himself to seek him, and that it would
be the worse for him. He waited three days, and seeing he came not, he
went to seek him, and brought him prisoner with 150 of his men. He asked
him, whether he had notice of any great cacique, and which way the
country was best inhabited. He answered, that the best country
thereabout was a province toward the south, a day and a half's journey,
which was called _Tulla_; and that he could give him a guide, but no
interpreter, because the speech of that country was different from his,
and because he and his ancestors had always wars with the lords of that
province; therefore they had no commerce, nor understood one another's
language. Immediately the Governor with certain horsemen, and fifty
footmen, departed towards _Tulla_, to see if the country were such, as
he might pass through it with all his company: and as soon as he arrived
there, and was espied of the Indians, the country gathered together, and
as soon as fifteen and twenty Indians could assemble themselves, they
set upon the Christians: and seeing that they did handle them shrewdly,
and that the horsemen overtook them when they fled, they got up into the
tops of their houses, and sought to defend themselves with their
arrows: and being beaten down from one, they got up upon another. And
while our men pursued some, others set upon them another way. Thus the
skirmish lasted so long, that the horses were tired, and they could not
make them run. The Indians killed there one horse, and some were hurt.
There were fifteen Indians slain there, and forty women and boys were
taken prisoners. For whatsoever Indian did shoot at them, if they could
come by him, they put him to the sword. The Governor determined to
return toward _Cayas_, before the Indians had time to gather a head; and
presently that evening, going part of the night to leave _Tulla_, he
lodged by the way, and the next day came to _Cayas_: and within three
days after he departed thence towards _Tulla_ with all his company. He
carried the cacique along with him, and among all his men, there was not
one found that could understand the speech of _Tulla_. He stayed three
days by the way, and the day that he came thither, he found the town
abandoned: for the Indians durst not tarry his coming. But as soon as
they knew that the Governor was in _Tulla_, the first night about the
morning watch, they came in two squadrons two several ways, with their
bows and arrows, and long staves like pikes. As soon as they were
descried, both horse and foot sallied out upon them, where many of the
Indians were slain: and some Christians and horses were hurt. Some of
the Indians were taken prisoners, whereof the Governor sent six to the
cacique, with their right hands and noses cut off: and sent him word,
that if he came not to him to excuse and submit himself, that he would
come to seek him, and that he would do the like to him, and as many of
his as he could find, as he had done to those which he had sent him: and
gave him three days' respite for to come. And this he gave them to
understand by signs, as well as he could, for there was no interpreter.
At the three days' end, there came an Indian laden with ox hides. He
came weeping with great sobs, and coming to the Governor cast himself
down at his feet. He took him up, and he made a speech, but there was
none that understood him. The Governor by signs commanded him to return
to the cacique, and to will him to send him an interpreter, which could
understand the men of _Cayas_. The next day came three Indians laden
with ox hides: and within three days after came 20 Indians, and among
them one that understood them of _Cayas_; who, after a long oration of
excuses of the cacique, and praises of the Governor, concluded with
this, that he and the other were come thither on the cacique's behalf,
to see what his lordship would command him to do, for he was ready at
his commandment. The Governor and all his company were very glad. For in
nowise could they travel without an interpreter. The Governor commanded
him to be kept safe, and bade him tell the men that came with him, that
they should return to the cacique, and signify unto him, that he
pardoned him for that which was past, and thanked him much for his
presents and interpreter, which he had sent him, and that he would be
glad to see him, and that he should come the next day to talk with him.
After three days, the cacique came, and eighty Indians with him; and
himself and his men came weeping into the camp, in token of obedience
and repentance for the error passed, after the manner of that country.
He brought a present of many ox hides: which, because the country was
cold, were very profitable, and served for coverlets, because they were
very soft, and wooled like sheep. Not far from thence toward the north
were many oxen. The Christians saw them not, nor came into the country
where they were, because those parts were evil inhabited, and had small
store of maize where they were bred. The Cacique of _Tulla_ made an
oration to the Governor, wherein he excused himself, and offered him his
country, subjects, and person. As well this cacique as the others, and
all those which came to the Governor on their behalf, delivered their
message or speech in so good order, that no orator could utter the same
more eloquently.
The Governor informed himself of all the country round about; and
understood, that toward the west was a scattered dwelling, and that
toward the southeast were great towns, especially in a province called
_Autiamque_, ten days' journey from _Tulla_; which might be about eighty
leagues; and that it was a plentiful country of maize. And because
winter came on, and that they could not travel two or three months in
the year for cold, waters, and snow: and fearing, that if they should
stay so long in the scattered dwelling, they could not be sustained; and
also because the Indians said, that near to _Autiamque_ was a great
water, and according to their relation, the Governor thought it was some
arm of the sea: and because he now desired to send news of himself to
_Cuba_, that some supply of men and horses might be sent unto him (for
it was about three years since _Donna Isabella_, which was in _Havana_,
or any other person in Christendom had heard of him, and by this time he
had lost 250 men, and 150 horses), he determined to winter in
_Autiamque_, and the next spring to go to the sea coast and make two
brigantines, and send one of them to _Cuba_, and the other to _Nueva
Espanna_, that that which went in safety, might give news of him:
hoping with the goods which he had in _Cuba_, to furnish himself again,
and to attempt the discovery and conquest toward the west: for he had
not yet come where _Cabeca de Vaca_ had been. Thus having sent away the
two caciques of _Cayas_ and _Tulla_, he took his journey toward
_Autiamque_: he traveled five days over rough mountains, and came to a
town called _Quipana_, where no Indians could be taken for the roughness
of the country: and the town being between hills, there was an ambush
laid, wherewith they took two Indians; which told them, that _Autiamque_
was six days' journey from thence, and that there was another province
toward the south, eight days' journey off, plentiful of maize, and very
well peopled, which was called _Guahate_. But because _Autiamque_ was
nearer, and the most of the Indians agreed of it, the Governor made his
journey that way. In three days he came to a town called _Anoixi_. He
sent a captain before with thirty horsemen and fifty footmen, and took
the Indians careless; he took many men and women prisoners. Within two
days after the Governor came to another town called _Catamaya_, and
lodged in the fields of the town. Two Indians came with a false message
from the cacique to know his determination. He bade them tell their
lord, that he should come and speak with him. The Indians returned and
came no more, nor any other message from the cacique. The next day the
Christians went to the town, which was without people: they took as much
maize as they needed. That day they lodged in a wood, and the next day
they came to _Autiamque_. They found much maize laid up in store, and
French beans, and walnuts, and prunes, great store of all sorts. They
took some Indians which were gathering together the stuff which their
wives had hidden. This was a champaign country, and well inhabited. The
Governor lodged in the best part of the town, and commanded presently to
make a fence of timber round about the camp distant from the houses,
that the Indians might not hurt them without by fire. And measuring the
ground by paces, he appointed every one his part to do according to the
number of Indians which he had: presently the timber was brought by
them; and in three days there was an inclosure made of very high and
thick posts thrust into the ground, and many rails laid across. Hard by
this town passed a river, that came out of the province of _Cayas_; and
above and beneath it was very well peopled. Thither came Indians on the
cacique's behalf with a present of mantles and skins; and an halting
cacique, subject to the lord of _Autiamque_, lord of a town called
_Tietiquaquo_, came many times to visit the Governor, and to bring him
presents of such as he had. The Cacique of _Autiamque_ sent to know of
the Governor, how long time he meant to stay in his country? And
understanding that he meant to stay about three days, he never sent any
more Indians, nor any other message, but conspired with the lame cacique
to rebel. Divers inroads were made, wherein there were many men and
women taken, and the lame cacique among the rest. The Governor
respecting the services which he had received of him, reprehended and
admonished him, and set him at liberty, and gave him two Indians to
carry him in a chair upon their shoulders. The Cacique of _Autiamque_
desiring to thrust the Governor out of his country, set spies over him.
And an Indian coming one night to the gate of the inclosure, a soldier
that watched espied him, and stepping behind the gate, as he came in, he
gave him such a thrust, that he fell down; and so he carried him to the
Governor: and as he asked him wherefore he came, not being able to
speak, he fell down dead. The night following the Governor commanded a
soldier to give the alarm, and to say that he had seen Indians, to see
how ready they would be to answer the alarm. And he did so sometimes as
well there, as in other places, when he thought that his men were
careless, and reprehended such as were slack. And as well for this
cause, as in regard of doing their duty, when the alarm was given, every
one sought to be the first that should answer. They staid in _Autiamque_
three months, with great plenty of maize, French beans, walnuts, prunes,
and conies: which until that time they knew not how to catch. And in
_Autiamque_ the Indians taught them how to take them; which was, with
great springs, which lifted up their feet from the ground: and the snare
was made with a strong string, whereunto was fastened a knot of a cane,
which ran close about the neck of the cony, because they should not gnaw
the string. They took many in the fields of maize, especially when it
froze or snowed. The Christians stayed there one whole month so inclosed
with snow, that they went not out of the town: and when they wanted
firewood, the Governor with his horsemen going and coming many times to
the wood, which was two crossbow shots from the town, made a pathway,
whereby the footmen went for wood. In this mean space, some Indians
which went loose, killed many conies with their gyves, and with arrows.
These conies were of two sorts, some were like those of _Spain_, and the
other of the same color and fashion, and as big as great hares, longer,
and having greater loins.