small town subject to the lord of that province. The camp was pitched
hard by a lake of salt water; and that evening they made some salt
there. The day following he lodged between two mountains in a thin grove
of wood. The next day he came to a small town called _Pato_. The fourth
day after his departure from _Aguacay_ he came to the first habitation
of a province called _Amaye_. There an Indian was taken, which said that
from thence to _Naguatex_ was a day and a half's journey; which they
traveled, finding all the way inhabited places. Having passed the
peopled country of _Amaye_, on Saturday, the twentieth of July, they
pitched their camp at noon between _Amaye_ and _Naguatex_ along the
corner of a grove of very fair trees. In the same place certain Indians
were discovered, that came to view them. The horsemen went out to them,
and killed six, and took two, whom the Governor asked, wherefore they
came? They said, to know what people he had, and what order they kept;
and that the Cacique of _Naguatex_, their lord, had sent them, and that
he, with other caciques which came to aid him, determined that day to
bid him battle. While they were occupied in these questions and answers,
there came many Indians by two ways in two squadrons: and when they saw
they were descried, giving a great cry they assaulted the Christians
each squadron by itself; but seeing what resistance the Christians made
them, they turned their backs and betook themselves to flight, in which
many of them lost their lives; and most of the horsemen following them
in chase, careless of the camp, other two squadrons of Indians, which
lay in ambush, set upon the Christians that were in the camp, which also
they resisted, who also had their reward as the first. After the flight
of the Indians, and that the Christians were retired, they heard a great
noise a crossbow shot from the place where they were. The Governor sent
twelve horsemen to see what it was. They found six Christians, four
footmen and two horsemen, among many Indians; the horsemen defending the
footmen with great labor. These being of them that chased the first two
squadrons, had lost themselves, and coming to recover the camp fell
among those with whom they were fighting: and so they, and those that
came to succor them, slew many of the Indians, and brought one alive to
the camp: whom the Governor examined, who they were that came to bid him
battle. He told him, that they were the Cacique of _Naguatex_, and of
_Amaye_, and another of a province called _Hacanac_, a lord of great
countries and many subjects; and that the Cacique of _Naguatex_ came for
captain and chief of them all. The Governor commanded his right arm and
nose to be cut off, and sent him to the Cacique of _Naguatex_, charging
him to tell him, that the next day he would be in his country to destroy
him; and if he would withstand his entrance, he should stay for him.
That night he lodged there; and the next day he came to the habitation
of _Naguatex_, which was very scattering: he inquired where the
cacique's chief town was? They told him that it was on the other side of
a river, that passed thereby: he traveled thitherward, and came unto it:
and on the other side he saw many Indians, that tarried for him, making
show as though they would defend the passage. And because he knew not
whether it could be waded, nor where the passage was, and that some
Christians and horses were hurt, that they might have time to recover,
he determined to rest certain days in the town where he was. So he
pitched his camp a quarter of a league from the river, because the
weather was very hot, near unto the town, in a thin grove of very fair
and high trees near a brook's side: and in that place were certain
Indians taken; whom he examined, whether the river were wadeable or no?
They said yea, at some times, and in some places. Within ten days after
he sent two captains with fifteen horsemen a piece upward and down the
river with Indians to show them where they should go over, to see what
habitation was on the other side. And the Indians withstood them both,
defending the passage of the river as far as they were able, but they
passed in despite of them: and on the other side of the river they saw
great habitation, and great store of victuals; and with these news
returned to the camp.
The Governor sent an Indian from _Naguatex_ where he lay, to command the
cacique to come to serve and obey him, and that he would forgive him all
that was past; that if he came not, that he would seek him, and give him
such punishment as he had deserved for that which he had done against
him. Within two days the Indian returned, and said that the cacique
would come the next day; which, the same day when he came, sent many
Indians before him, among whom there were some principal men: he sent
them to see what countenance they found in the Governor, to resolve with
himself whether he should go or not. The Indians let him understand,
that he was coming, and went away presently: and the cacique came
within two hours accompanied with many of his men: they came all in a
rank one before another on both sides, leaving a lane in the midst where
he came. They came where the Governor was, all of them weeping after the
manner of _Tulla_, which was not far from thence toward the east. The
cacique made his due obedience, and the speech following:
"Right high and mighty lord, whom all the world ought to serve and obey,
I was bold to appear before your lordship, having committed so heinous
and abominable an act, as only for me to have imagined, deserved to be
punished; trusting in your greatness, that although I deserve to obtain
no pardon, yet for your own sake only you will use clemency toward me,
considering how small I am in comparison of your lordship; and not to
think upon my weaknesses, which, to my grief and for my greater good, I
have known. And I believe that you and yours are immortal; and that your
lordship is lord of the land of nature, seeing that you subdue all
things, and they obey you, even the very hearts of men. For when I
beheld the slaughter and destruction of my men in the battle, which,
through mine ignorance, and the counsel of a brother of mine, which died
in the same, I gave your lordship, presently I repented me in my heart
of the error, which I had committed; and desired to serve and obey you:
and to this end I come, that your lordship may chastise and command me
as your own."
The Governor answered him, that he forgave him all which was past, that
from thenceforth he should do his duty, and that he would hold him for
his friend, and that he would favor him in all things. Within four days
he departed thence, and coming to the river he could not pass, because
it was grown very big; which seemed to him a thing of admiration, being
at that time that it was, and since it had not rained a month before.
The Indians said, that it increased many times after that manner without
raining in all the country. It was supposed, that it might be the tide
that came into it. It was learned that the flood came alway from above,
and that the Indians of all that country had no knowledge of the sea.
The Governor returned unto the place where he had lodged before: and
understanding within eight days after that the river was passable, he
departed. He passed over and found the town without people: he lodged in
the field, and sent the cacique word to come unto him, and to bring him
a guide to go forward. And some days being past, seeing the cacique came
not, nor sent anybody, he sent two captains sundry ways to burn the
towns, and to take such Indians as they could find. They burnt great
store of victuals, and took many Indians. The cacique seeing the hurt
that he received in his country, sent six principal Indians with three
men for guides, which knew the language of the country through which the
Governor was to pass. He departed presently from _Naguatex_, and within
three days' journey came to a town of four or five houses, which
belonged to the cacique of that province, which is called _Nissoone_: it
was evil inhabited, and had little maize. Two days' journey forward the
guides which guided the Governor, if they were to go westward, guided
him to the east; and sometimes went up and down through very great woods
out of the way. The Governor commanded them to be hanged upon a tree:
and a woman that they took in _Nissoone_ guided him, and went back again
to seek the way. In two days he came to another miserable town called
_Lacane_: an Indian was taken in that place, that said, that the country
of _Nondacao_ was a country of great habitation, and the houses
scattering the one from the other, as they used to be in mountains, and
had great store of maize. The cacique came with his men weeping, like
them of _Naguatex_: for this is their use in token of obedience: he made
him a present of much fish, and offered to do what he would command him.
He took his leave, and gave him a guide to the province of _Soacatino_.
The Governor departed from _Nondacao_ towards _Soacatino_, and in five
days' journey came to a province called _Aays_. The Indians which
inhabited it had no notice of the Christians: but as soon as they saw
that they entered into their country, they assembled themselves: and as
they came together fifty or a hundred, they came forth to fight. While
some fought, others came and charged our men another way, and while they
followed some, others followed them. The fight lasted the greatest part
of the day, till they came to their town. Some horses and men were
wounded, but not to any hurt of their traveling: for there was no wound
that was dangerous. There was a great spoil made of the Indians. That
day that the Governor departed from thence, the Indian that guided him
said that in _Nondacao_ he had heard say, that the Indians of
_Soacatino_ had seen other Christians, whereof they all were very glad:
thinking it might be true, and that they might have entered into those
parts by _Nueva Espana_; and that if it were so, it was in their own
hand to go out of _Florida_, if they found nothing of profit: for they
feared they should lose themselves in some wilderness. This Indian led
him two days out of the way. The Governor commanded to torture him. He
said, that the Cacique of _Nondacao_, his lord, had commanded him to
guide them so because they were his enemies, and that he was to do as
his lord commanded him. The Governor commanded him to be cast to the
dogs: and another guided him to _Soacatino_, whither he came the day
following. It was a very poor country: there was great want of maize in
that place. He asked the Indians whether they knew of any other
Christians. They said that a little from thence toward the south they
heard they were. He traveled twenty days through a country evil
inhabited, where they suffered great scarcity and trouble; for that
little maize which the Indians had, they had hidden and buried in the
woods, where the Christians, after they were well wearied with their
travel, at the end of their journey went to seek by digging what they
should eat. At last, coming to a province that was called _Guasco_, they
found maize, wherewith they loaded their horses and the Indians that
they had. From thence they went to another town called _Naquiscoca_. The
Indians said they had no notice of any other Christians. The Governor
commanded to torment them. They said, that they came first to another
lordship which was called _Nacacahoz_, and from thence returned again to
the west from whence they came. The Governor came in two days to
_Nacacahoz_. Some women were taken there: among whom there was one which
said that she had seen Christians and had been taken by them, and had
run away. The Governor sent a captain with fifteen horsemen to the place
where the woman said she had seen them, to see if there was any sign of
horses, or any token of their being there. After they had gone three or
four leagues, the woman that guided them said that all that she had told
them was untrue. And so they held all the rest that the Indians had said
of seeing Christians in the land of _Florida_. And, because the country
that way was poor of maize, and toward the west there was no notice of
any habitation, they returned to _Guasco_. The Indians told them there,
that ten days' journey from thence toward the west, was a river called
_Daycao_, whither they went sometimes a hunting and killing of deer: and
that they had seen people on the other side, but knew not what
habitation was there. There the Christians took such maize as they found
and could carry, and going ten days' journey through a wilderness, they
came to the river which the Indians had told them of. Ten horsemen,
which the Governor had sent before, passed over the same and went in a
way that led to the river, and lighted upon a company of Indians that
dwelt in very little cabins: who as soon as they saw them took
themselves to flight, leaving that which they had; all which was nothing
but misery and poverty. The country was so poor, that among them all
there was not found half a peck of maize. The horsemen took two Indians,
and returned with them to the river, where the Governor stayed for them.
He sought to learn of them what habitation was toward the west. There
was none in the camp that could understand their language. The Governor
assembled the captains and principal persons to determine with their
advice what they should do. And the most part said that they thought it
best to return back to _Rio Grande_, or the Great River of _Guachoya_;
because that in _Nilco_ and thereabout was store of maize; saying, that
they would make pinnaces that winter, and the next summer pass down the
river to the seaward in them, and coming to the sea they would go along
the coast to _Nueva Espana_. For though it seemed a doubtful thing and
difficult, by that which they had already alleged, yet it was the last
remedy they had. For by land they could not go for want of an
interpreter. And they held, that the country beyond the River of
_Daycao_, where they were, was that which _Cabeca de Vaca_ mentioned in
his relation that he passed _of the Indians which lived like the
Alarbes, having no settled place_, and fed upon _Tunas_ and roots of the
fields, and wild beasts that they killed. Which if it were so, if they
should enter into it and find no victuals to pass the winter, they could
not choose but perish, for they were entered already into the beginning
of October: and if they stayed any longer they were not able to return
for rain and snows, nor to sustain themselves in so poor a country. The
Governor (that desired long to see himself in a place where he might
sleep his full sleep, rather than to conquer and govern a country where
so many troubles presented themselves) presently returned back that same
way that he came.
When that which was determined was published in the camp, there were
many that were greatly grieved at it: for they held the sea voyage as
doubtful, for the evil means they had, and of as great danger the
traveling by land: and they hoped to find some rich country before they
came to the land of the Christians, by that which _Cabeca de Vaca_ had
told the Emperor: and that was this: That after he had found clothes
made of cotton wool, he saw gold and silver, and stones of great value.
And they had not yet come where he had been. For until that place he
always traveled by the sea-coast: and they traveled far within the land;
and that going towards the west, of necessity they should come where he
had been. For he said that in a certain place he traveled many days, and
entered into the land toward the north. And in _Guasco_ they had already
found some Turkey stones, and mantles of cotton wool: which the Indians
signified by signs that they had from the west: and that holding that
course they should draw near to the land of the Christians. But though
they were much discontented with it, and it grieved many to go backward,
which would rather have adventured their lives and have died in the land
of _Florida_, than to have gone poor out of it; yet were they not a
sufficient part to hinder that which was determined, because the
principal men agreed with the Governor. And afterward there was one that
said, he would put out one of his own eyes, to put out another of _Luys
de Moscoso_; because it would grieve him much to see him prosper:
because as well himself as others of his friends had crossed that which
he durst not have done, seeing that within two days he should leave the
government. From _Daycao_, where now they were, to _Rio Grande_, or the
Great River, was one hundred and fifty leagues: which unto that place
they had gone westward. And by the way as they returned back they had
much ado to find maize to eat: for where they had passed the country was
destroyed; and some little maize that was left the Indians had hidden.
The towns which in _Naguatex_ they had burned (whereof it repented them)
were repaired again, and the houses full of maize. This country is well
inhabited and plentiful. In that place are vessels made of clay, which
differ very little from those of _Estremoz_, or _Montemor_. In
_Chaguate_ the Indians by commandment of the cacique came peaceably, and
said, that the Christian which remained there would not come. The
Governor wrote unto him, and sent him ink and paper that he might
answer. The substance of the words of the letter was to declare unto him
his determination, which was to go out of the land of _Florida_, and to
put him in remembrance that he was a Christian, that he would not remain
in the subjection of infidels, that he pardoned him the fault which he
had done in going away to the Indians, that he should come unto him: and
if they did stay him, that he would advertise him thereof by writing.
The Indian went with the letter, and came again without any more answer,
than, on the back side, his name and seal, that they might know he was
alive. The Governor sent twelve horsemen to seek him: but he, which had
his spies, so hid himself, that they could not find him. For want of
maize the Governor could not stay any longer to seek him. He departed
from _Chaguate_, and passed the river by _Aays_; going down by it he
found a town called _Chilano_, which as yet they had not seen. They came
to _Nilco_, and found so little maize, as could not suffice till they
made their ships; because the Christians, being in _Guachoya_ in the
seed time, the Indians for fear of them durst not come to sow the
grounds of _Nilco_: and they knew not thereabout any other country where
any maize was: and that was the most fruitful soil that was thereaway,
and where they had most hope to find it. Every one was confounded, and
the most part thought it bad counsel to come back from the river of
_Daycao_, and not to have followed their fortune, going that way that
went over land. For by sea it seemed impossible to save themselves,
unless God would work a miracle for them: for there was neither pilot,
nor sea-chart, neither did they know where the river entered into the
sea, neither had they notice of it, neither had they anything wherewith
to make sails, nor any store of enequem, which is a grass whereof they
make oakum, which grew there; and that which they found they saved to
caulk the pinnaces withal; neither had they anything to pitch them
withal; neither could they make ships of such substance, but that any
storm would put them in great danger: and they feared much it would fall
out with them, as it did with _Pamphilo de Narvaez_, which was cast away
upon that coast. And above all other it troubled them most, that they
could find no maize: for without it they could not be sustained, nor
could do anything that they had need of. All of them were put to great
confusion. Their chief remedy was to commit themselves to God, and to
beseech him that he would direct them the way that they might save their
lives. And it pleased him of his goodness, that the Indians of _Nilco_
came peaceably, and told them, that two days' journey from thence, near
unto the Great River, were two towns, whereof the Christians had no
notice, and that the province was called _Minoya_, and was a fruitful
soil: that, whether at this present there was any maize or no, they knew
not, because they had war with them: but that they would be very glad
with the favor of the Christians to go and spoil them. The Governor sent
a captain thither with horsemen and footmen, and the Indians of _Nilco_
with him. He came to _Minoya_, and found two great towns seated in a
plain and open soil, half a league distant, one in sight of another, and
in them he took many Indians, and found great store of maize. Presently
he lodged in one of them, and sent word to the Governor what he had
found: wherewith they were all exceeding glad. They departed from
_Nilco_ in the beginning of December; and all that way, and before from
_Chilano_, they endured much trouble: for they passed through many
waters, and many times it rained, with a northern wind, and was
exceeding cold, so that they were in the open field with water over and
underneath them: and when at the end of their day's journey, they found
dry ground to rest upon, they gave great thanks to God. With this
trouble almost all the Indians that served them died. And after they
were in _Minoya_, many Christians also died: and the most part were sick
of great and dangerous diseases, which had a spice of the lethargy. At
this place died _Andrew de Vasconcelos_, and two Portuguese of _Elvas_,
which were very near him: which were brethren, and by their surname
called _Sotis_. The Christians lodged in one of the towns which they
liked best, which was fenced about, and distant a quarter of a league
from the Great River. The maize that was in the other town was brought
thither; and in all it was esteemed to be six thousand hanegs or
bushels. And there was the best timber to make ships that they had seen
in all the land of _Florida_; wherefore all of them gave God great
thanks for so singular a favor, and hoped that that which they desired
would take effect, which was, that they might safely be conducted into
the land of the Christians.