_Autiamque_ to seek _Nilco_, which the Indians said was near the great
river, with determination to come to the sea, and procure some succor of
men and horses; for he had now but three hundred men of war, and forty
horses, and some of them lame, which did nothing but help to make up the
number; and for want of iron they had gone above a year unshod; and
because they were used to it in the plain country, it did them no great
harm. _John Ortiz_ died in _Autiamque_, which grieved the Governor very
much; because that without an interpreter he feared to enter far into
the land, where he might be lost. From thenceforward a youth that was
taken in _Cutifachiqui_ did serve for interpreter, which had by that
time learned somewhat of the Christians' language. The death of _John
Ortiz_ was so great a mischief for the discovering inward, or going out
of the land, that to learn of the Indians, that which in four words he
declared, they needed a whole day with the youth; and most commonly he
understood quite contrary that which was asked him; whereby it often
happened that the way that they went one day, and sometimes two or three
days, they turned back, and went astray through the wood here and there.
The Governor spent ten days in traveling from _Autiamque_ to a province
called _Ayays_; and came to a town that stood near the river that
passeth by _Cayas_ and _Autiamque_. There he commanded a barge to be
made, wherewith he passed the river. When he had passed the river there
fell out such weather, that four days he could not travel for snow. As
soon as it gave over snowing, he went three days' journey through a
wilderness, and a country so low, and so full of lakes and evil ways,
that he traveled a whole day in water, sometimes knee deep, sometimes to
the stirrup, and sometimes they swam. He came to a town called
_Tutelpinco_, abandoned, and without maize. There passed by it a lake,
that entered into the river, which carried a great stream and force of
water. Five Christians passing over it in a periagua, which the Governor
had sent with a captain, the periagua overset. Some took hold on it,
some on the trees that were in the lake. One _Francis Sebastian_, an
honest man of _Villa nova de Barca Rota_, was drowned there. The
Governor went a whole day along the lake, seeking passage, and could
find none, nor any way that did pass to the other side. Coming again at
night to the town he found two peaceable Indians, which showed him the
passage, and which way he was to go. There they made of canes and of the
timber of houses thatched with cane, rafts, wherewith they passed the
lake. They traveled three days, and came to a town of the territory of
_Nilco_, called _Tianto_. There they took thirty Indians, and among
them two principal men of this town. The Governor sent a captain, with
horsemen and footmen, before to _Nilco_, because the Indians might have
no time to carry away the provision. They passed through three or four
great towns; and in the town where the cacique was resident, which was
two leagues from the place where the Governor remained, they found many
Indians with their bows and arrows, in manner as though they would have
stayed to fight, which did compass the town; and as soon as they saw the
Christians come near them, without misdoubting them, they set the
cacique's house on fire, and fled over a lake that passed near the town,
through which the horses could not pass. The next day being Wednesday,
the 29th of March, the Governor came to _Nilco_; he lodged with all his
men in the cacique's town, which stood in a plain field, which was
inhabited for the space of a quarter of a league: and within a league
and half a league were other very great towns, wherein was great store
of maize, of French beans, of walnuts, and prunes. This was the best
inhabited country that was seen in _Florida_, and had most store of
maize, except _Coca_ and _Apalache_. There came to the camp an Indian
accompanied with others, and in the cacique's name gave the Governor a
mantle of martens' skins, and a cordon of pearls. The Governor gave him
a few small margarites, which are certain beads much esteemed in _Peru_,
and other things, wherewith he was very well contented. He promised to
return within two days, but never came again: but on the contrary the
Indians came by night in canoes, and carried away all the maize they
could, and made them cabins on the other side of the river in the
thickest of the wood, because they might flee if we should go to seek
them. The Governor, seeing he came not at the time appointed, commanded
an ambush to be laid about certain store-houses near the lake, whither
the Indians came for maize: where they took two Indians, who told the
Governor, that he which came to visit him, was not the cacique, but was
sent by him under pretence to spy whether the Christians were careless,
and whether they determined to settle in that country or to go forward.
Presently the Governor sent a captain with footmen and horsemen over the
river; and in their passage they were descried of the Indians, and
therefore he could take but ten or twelve men and women, with whom he
returned to the camp. This river, which passed by _Nilco_, was that
which passed by _Cayas_ and _Autiamque_, and fell into _Rio Grande_, or
the Great River, which passed by _Pachaha_ and _Aquixo_ near unto the
province of _Guachoya_: and the lord thereof came up the river in canoes
to make war with him of _Nilco_. On his behalf there came an Indian to
the Governor and said unto him, that he was his servant, and prayed him
so to hold him, and that within two days he would come to kiss his
lordship's hands: and at the time appointed he came with some of his
principal Indians, which accompanied him, and with words of great offers
and courtesy he gave the Governor a present of many mantles and deers'
skins. The Governor gave him some other things in recompense, and
honored him much. He asked him what towns there were down the river? He
answered that he knew none other but his own: and on the other side of
the river the province of a cacique called _Quigalta_. So he took his
leave of the Governor and went to his own town. Within a few days the
Governor determined to go to _Guachoya_, to learn there whether the sea
were near, or whether there were any habitation near, where he might
relieve his company, while the brigantines were making, which he meant
to send to the land of the Christians. As he passed the river of
_Nilco_, there came in canoes Indians of _Guachoya_ up the stream, and
when they saw him, supposing that he came to seek them to do them some
hurt, they returned down the river, and informed the cacique thereof:
who with all his people, spoiling the town of all that they could carry
away, passed that night over to the other side of the _Rio Grande_, or
the Great River. The Governor sent a captain with fifty men in six
canoes down the river, and went himself by land with the rest: he came
to _Guachoya_ upon Sunday, the 17th of April: he lodged in the town of
the cacique, which was enclosed about, and seated a crossbow shot
distant from the river. Here the river is called _Tamaliseu_, and in
_Nilco Tapatu_, and in _Coca Mico_, and in the port or mouth _Ri_.
As soon as the Governor came to _Guachoya_, he sent _John Danusco_ with
as many men as could go in the canoes up the river. For when they came
down from _Nilco_, they saw on the other side of the river new cabins
made. _John Danusco_ went and brought the canoes laden with maize,
French beans, prunes, and many loaves made of the substance of prunes.
That day came an Indian to the Governor from the Cacique of _Guachoya_,
and said that his lord would come the next day. They next day they saw
many canoes come up the river, and on the other side of the Great River
they assembled together in the space of an hour: they consulted whether
they should come or not; and at length concluded to come, and crossed
the river. In them came the Cacique of _Guachoya_, and brought with him
many Indians, with great store of fish, dogs, deers' skins, and mantles:
and as soon as they landed, they went to the lodging of the Governor,
and presented him their gifts, and the cacique uttered these words:--
"Mighty and excellent lord, I beseech your lordship to pardon me the
error which I committed in absenting myself, and not tarrying in this
town to have received and served your lordship; since, to obtain this
opportunity of time, was, and is as much as a great victory to me. But I
feared that which I needed not to have feared, and so did that which was
not reason to do. But as haste maketh waste, and I removed without
deliberation; so, as soon as I thought on it, I determined not to follow
the opinion of the foolish, which is to continue in their error; but to
imitate the wise and discreet, in changing my counsel, and so I came to
see what your lordship will command me to do, that I may serve you in
all things that are in my power."
The Governor received him with much joy, and gave him thanks for his
present and offer. He asked him, whether he had any notice of the sea.
He answered no, nor of any towns down the river on that side; save that
two leagues from thence was one town of a principal Indian, a subject of
his; and on the other side of the river, three days' journey from thence
down the river, was the province of _Quigalta_, which was the greatest
lord that was in that country! The Governor thought that the cacique
lied unto him, to rid him out of his own towns, and sent _John Danusco_
with eight horsemen down the river, to see what habitation there was,
and to inform himself, if there were any notice of the sea. He traveled
eight days, and at his return he said, that in all that time he was not
able to go above fourteen or fifteen leagues, because of the great
creeks that came out of the river, and groves of canes, and thick woods
that were along the banks of the river, and that he had found no
habitation. The Governor fell into great dumps to see how hard it was to
get to the sea; and worse, because his men and horses every day
diminished, being without succor to sustain themselves in the country:
and with that thought he fell sick. But before he took his bed he sent
an Indian to the Cacique of _Quigalta_ to tell him, that he was the
child of the sun, and that all the way that he came all men obeyed and
served him, that he requested him to accept of his friendship, and come
unto him; for he would be very glad to see him; and in sign of love and
obedience to bring something with him of that which in his country was
most esteemed. The cacique answered by the same Indian:
"That whereas he said he was the child of the sun, if he would dry up
the river he would believe him: and touching the rest, that he was wont
to visit none; but rather that all those of whom he had notice did visit
him, served, obeyed, and paid him tributes willingly or perforce:
therefore, if he desired to see him, it were best he should come
thither: that if he came in peace, he would receive him with special
good will; and if in war, in like manner he would attend him in the town
where he was, and that for him or any other he would not shrink one foot
back."
By that time the Indian returned with this answer, the Governor had
betaken himself to bed, being evil handled with fevers, and was much
aggrieved that he was not in case to pass presently the river and to
seek him, to see if he could abate that pride of his, considering the
river went now very strongly in those parts; for it was near half a
league broad, and sixteen fathoms deep, and very furious, and ran with a
great current; and on both sides there were many Indians, and his power
was not now so great, but that he had need to help himself rather by
slights than by force. The Indians of _Guachoya_ came every day with
fish in such numbers, that the town was full of them. The cacique said,
that on a certain night he of _Quigalta_ would come to give battle to
the Governor. Which the Governor imagined that he had devised, to drive
him out of his country, and commanded him to be put in hold: and that
night and all the rest, there was good watch kept. He asked him
wherefore _Quigalta_ came not? He said that he came, but that he saw him
prepared, and therefore durst not give the attempt: and he was earnest
with him to send his captains over the river, and that he would aid him
with many men to set upon _Quigalta_. The Governor told him that as soon
as he was recovered, himself would seek him out. And seeing how many
Indians came daily to the town, and what store of people was in that
country, fearing they should all conspire together and plot some treason
against him; and because the town had some open gaps which were not made
an end of inclosing, besides the gates which they went in and out by:
because the Indians should not think he feared them, he let them all
alone unrepaired; and commanded the horsemen to be appointed to them,
and to the gates: and all night the horsemen went the round; and two and
two of every squadron rode about, and visited the scouts that were
without the town in their standings by the passages, and the
crossbow-men that kept the canoes in the river. And because the Indians
should stand in fear of them, he determined to send a captain to
_Nilco_, for those of _Guachoya_ had told him that it was inhabited;
that by using them cruelly, neither the one nor the other should
presume to assail him; and he sent _Nunez de Touar_ with fifteen
horsemen, and _John de Guzman_ captain of the footmen, with his company
in canoes up the river. The Cacique of _Guachoya_ sent for many canoes
and many warlike Indians to go with the Christians: and the captain of
the Christians, called _Nunez de Touar_ went by land with his horsemen,
and two leagues before he came to _Nilco_ he stayed for _John de
Guzman_, and in that place they passed the river by night: the horsemen
came first, and in the morning by break of day in sight of the town they
lighted upon a spy; which as soon as he perceived the Christians, crying
out amain fled to the town to give warning. _Nunez de Touar_ and his
company made such speed, that before the Indians of the town could fully
come out, they were upon them: it was champaign ground that was
inhabited, which was about a quarter of a league. There were about five
or six thousand people in the town: and, as many people came out of the
houses, and fled from one house to another, and many Indians came
flocking together from all parts, there was never a horseman that was
not alone among many. The captain had commanded that they should not
spare the life of any male. Their disorder was so great, that there was
no Indian that shot an arrow at any Christian. The shrieks of women and
children were so great, that they made the ears deaf of those that
followed them. There were slain a hundred Indians, little more or less:
and many were wounded with great wounds, whom they suffered to escape to
strike a terror in the rest that were not there. There were some so
cruel and butcherlike, that they killed old and young, and all that they
met, though they made no resistance: and those which presumed of
themselves for their valor, and were taken for such, broke through the
Indians, bearing down many with their stirrups and breasts of their
horses; and some they wounded with their lances, and so let them go: and
when they saw any youth or woman they took them, and delivered them to
the footmen. These men's sins by God's permission, lighted on their own
heads: who, because they would seem valiant, became cruel; showing
themselves extreme cowards in the sight of all men when as most need of
valor was required, and afterwards they came to a shameful death. Of the
Indians of _Nilco_ were taken prisoners, fourscore women and children,
and much spoil. The Indians of _Guachoya_ kept back before they came at
the town, and stayed without, beholding the success of the Christians
with the men of _Nilco_. And when they saw them put to flight, and the
horsemen busy in killing of them, they hastened to the houses to rob,
and filled their canoes with the spoil of the goods; and returned to
_Guachoya_ before the Christians; and wondering much at the sharp
dealing which they had seen them use toward the Indians of _Nilco_, they
told their cacique all that had passed with great astonishment.
The Governor felt in himself that the hour approached wherein he was to
leave this present life, and called for the king's officers, captains,
and principal persons, to whom he made a speech, saying:--
"That now he was to go to give an account before the presence of God of
all his life past: and since it pleased him to take him in such a time,
and that the time was come that he knew his death, that he his most
unworthy servant did yield him many thanks therefor; and desired all
that were present and absent (whom he confessed himself to be much
beholding unto for their singular virtues, love and loyalty, which
himself had well tried in the travels which they had suffered, which
always in his mind he did hope to satisfy and reward, when it should
please God to give him rest, with more prosperity of his estate), that
they would pray to God for him, that for his mercy he would forgive him
his sins, and receive his soul into eternal glory: and that they would
quit and free him of the charge which he had over them, and ought unto
them all, and that they would pardon him for some wrongs which they
might have received of him. And to avoid some division, which upon his
death might fall out upon the choice of his successor, he requested them
to elect a principal person, and able to govern, of whom all should like
well; and when he was elected, they should swear before him to obey him:
and that he would thank them very much in so doing; because the grief
that he had, would somewhat be assuaged, and the pain that he felt,
because he left them in so great confusion, to wit, in leaving them in a
strange country, where they knew not where they were."
_Baltasar de Gallegos_ answered in the name of all the rest. And first
of all comforting him, he set before his eyes how short the life of this
world was, and with how many troubles and miseries it is accompanied,
and how God showed him a singular favor which soonest left it: telling
him many other things fit for such a time. And for the last point, that
since it pleased God to take him to himself, although his death did
justly grieve them much, yet as well he, as all the rest, ought of
necessity to conform themselves to the will of God. And touching the
Governor which he commanded they should elect, he besought him, that it
would please his lordship to name him which he thought fit, and him
they would obey. And presently he named _Luys de Moscoso de Alvarado_,
his captain-general. And presently he was sworn by all that were
present, and elected for governor. The next day, being the 21st of May,
1542, departed out of this life, the valorous, virtuous, and valiant
Captain, _Don Fernando de Soto_, Governor of _Cuba_, and Adelantado of
_Florida_: whom fortune advanced, as it useth to do others, that he
might have the higher fall. He departed in such a place, and at such a
time, as in his sickness he had but little comfort: and the danger
wherein all his people were of perishing in that country, which appeared
before their eyes, was cause sufficient why every one of them had need
of comfort, and why they did not visit nor accompany him as they ought
to have done. _Luys de Moscoso_ determined to conceal his death from the
Indians, because _Ferdinando de Soto_ had made them believe that the
Christians were immortal; and also because they took him to be hardy,
wise, and valiant: and if they should know that he was dead, they would
be bold to set upon the Christians, though they lived peaceably by them.
In regard of their disposition, and because they were nothing constant,
and believed all that was told them, the Adelantado made them believe,
that he knew some things that passed in secret among themselves, without
their knowledge, how, or in what manner he came by them: and that the
figure which appeared in a glass, which he showed them, did tell him
whatsoever they practiced and went about: and therefore neither in word
nor deed durst they attempt anything that might be prejudicial unto him.
As soon as he was dead, _Luys de Moscoso_ commanded to put him secretly
in the house, where he remained three days; and removing him from
thence, commanded him to be buried in the night at one of the gates of
the town within the wall. And as the Indians had seen him sick, and
missed him, so did they suspect what might be. And passing by the place
where he was buried, seeing the earth moved, they looked and spake one
to another. _Luys de Moscoso_ understanding of it, commanded him to be
taken up by night, and to cast a great deal of sand into the mantles,
wherein he was wound up, wherein he was carried in a canoe, and thrown
into the midst of the river. The Cacique of _Guachoya_ inquired for him,
demanding what was become of his brother and lord, the Governor: _Luys
de Moscoso_ told him that he was gone to heaven, as many other times he
did and because he was to stay there certain days he had left him in his
place. The cacique thought with himself that he was dead; and commanded
two young and well-proportioned Indians to be brought thither; and
said, that the use of that country was, when any lord died, to kill
Indians to wait upon him, and serve him by the way, and for that purpose
by his commandment were those come thither: and prayed _Luys de Moscoso_
to command them to be beheaded, that they might attend and serve his
lord and brother. _Luys de Moscoso_ told him, that the Governor was not
dead, but gone to heaven, and that of his own Christian soldiers, he had
taken such as he needed to serve him, and prayed him to command those
Indians to be loosed, and not to use any such bad custom from
thenceforth: straightway he commanded them to be loosed, and to get them
home to their houses. And one of them would not go; saying, that he
would not serve him, that without desert had judged him to death, but
that he would serve him as long as he lived, which had saved his life.
_Luys de Moscoso_ caused all the goods of the Governor to be sold at an
outcry: to wit, two men slaves and two women slaves, and three horses,
and seven hundred hogs. For every slave or horse, they gave two or three
thousand ducats: which were to be paid at the first melting of gold or
silver, or at the division of their portion of inheritance. And they
entered into bonds, though in the country there was not wherewith, to
pay it within a year after, and put in sureties for the same. Such as in
_Spain_ had no goods to bind, gave two hundred ducats for a hog, giving
assurance after the same manner. Those which had any goods in _Spain_,
bought with more fear, and bought the less. From that time forward, most
of the company had swine, and brought them up, and fed upon them; and
observed Fridays and Saturdays, and the evenings of feasts, which before
they did not. For some times in two or three months they did eat no
flesh, and whensoever they could come by it, they did eat it.
Some were glad of the death of _Don Ferdinando de Soto_, holding for
certain that _Luys de Moscoso_ (which was given to his ease), would
rather desire to be among the Christians at rest, than to continue the
labors of the war in subduing and discovering of countries; whereof they
were already weary, seeing the small profit that ensued thereof. The
Governor commanded the captains and principal persons to meet to consult
and determine what they should do. And being informed what peopled
habitation was round about, he understood that to the west, the country
was most inhabited, and that down the river beyond _Quigalta_ was
uninhabited, and had little store of food. He desired them all, that
every one would give his opinion in writing, and set his hand to it:
that they might resolve by general consent, whether they should go down
the river, or enter into the main land. All were of opinion, that it was
best to go by land toward the west, because _Nueva Espana_ was that way;
holding the voyage by sea more dangerous, and of greater hazard, because
they could make no ship of any strength to abide a storm, neither had
they master, nor pilot, compass, nor chart, neither knew they how far
the sea was off, nor had any notice of it; nor whether the river did
make any great turning into the land, or had any great fall from the
rocks, where all of them might be cast away. And some which had seen the
sea-chart, did find, that from the place where they were by the
sea-coast to _Nueva Espana_, might be four hundred leagues, little more
or less; and said, that though they went somewhat about by land in
seeking a peopled country, if some great wilderness which they could not
pass did hinder them, by spending that summer in travel, finding
provision to pass the winter in some peopled country, that the next
summer after they might come to some Christian land, and that it might
fortune in their travel by land to find some rich country, where they
might do themselves good. The Governor, although he desired to get out
of _Florida_ in shorter time, seeing the inconveniences they laid before
him, in traveling by sea, determined to follow that which seemed good to
them all. On Monday, the fifth day of June, he departed from _Guachoya_.
The cacique gave him a guide to _Chaguate_, and stayed at home in his
own town. They passed through a province called _Catalte_: and having
passed a wilderness of six days' journey, the twentieth day of the month
he came to _Chaguate_. The cacique of this province had visited the
Governor _Don Ferdinando de Soto_ at _Autiamque_, whither he brought him
presents of skins, and mantles, and salt. And a day before _Luys de
Moscoso_ came to his town, we lost a Christian that was sick; which he
suspected that the Indians had slain. He sent the cacique word, that he
should command his people to seek him up, and send him unto him, and
that he would hold him, as he did, for his friend; and if he did not,
that neither he, nor his, should escape his hands, and that he would set
his country on fire. Presently the cacique came unto him, and brought a
great present of mantles and skins, and the Christian that was lost, and
made this speech following:
"Right excellent lord, I would not deserve that conceit which you had of
me, for all the treasure of the world. What enforced me to go to visit
and serve the excellent Lord Governor your father in _Autiamque_, which
you should have remembered, where I offered myself with all loyalty,
faith and love, during my life to serve and obey him? What then could be
the cause, I having received favors of him, and neither you nor he
having done me any wrong, that should move me to do the thing which I
ought not? Believe this of me, that neither wrong, nor any worldly
interest, was able to make me to have done it, nor shall be able to
blind me. But as in this life it is a natural course, that after one
pleasure many sorrows do follow: so by your indignation, fortune would
moderate the joy, which my heart conceiveth with your presence; and that
I should err, where I thought surest to have hit the mark; in harboring
this Christian which was lost, and using him in such manner, as he may
tell himself, thinking that herein I did you service, with purpose to
deliver him unto you in _Chaguate_, and to serve you to the uttermost of
my power. If I deserve punishment for this, I will receive it at your
hands, as from my lord, as if it were a favor. For the love which I did
bear to the excellent Governor, and which I bear to you hath no limit.
And like as you give me chastisement, so will you also show me favor.
And that which now I crave of you is this, to declare your will unto me,
and those things wherein I may be able to do you the most and best
service."
The Governor answered him, that because he did not find him in that
town, he was incensed against him, thinking he had absented himself, as
others had done: but seeing he now knew his loyalty and love, he would
always hold him as a brother, and favor him in all his affairs. The
cacique went with him to the town where he resided, which was a day's
journey from thence. They passed through a small town, where there was a
lake, where the Indians made salt: and the Christians made some one day
while they rested there, of a brackish water, which sprang near the town
in ponds like fountains. The Governor stayed in _Chaguate_ six days.
There he was informed of the habitation towards the west. They told him,
that three days' journey from thence was a province called _Aguacay_.
The day that he departed from _Chaguate_, a Christian, called _Francisco
de Guzman_, the base son of a gentleman of _Seville_, stayed behind, and
went to the Indians, with an Indian woman which he kept as his
concubine, for fear he should be punished for gaming debts that he did
owe. The Governor had traveled two days before he missed him; he sent
the cacique word to seek him up, and to send him to _Aguacay_, whither
he traveled: which he did not perform. From the Cacique of _Aguacay_,
before they came into the country, there met him on the way fifteen
Indians with a present of skins, fish, and roasted venison. The
Governor came to this town on Wednesday, the fourth of July. He found
the town without people, and lodged in it: he stayed there about a day;
during which, he made some roads, and took many men and women. There
they had knowledge of the _South Sea_. Here there was great store of
salt made of sand, which they gather in a vein of ground like pebble
stones. And it was made as they made salt in _Cayas_.