A Narrative of the expedition of Hernando de Soto into Florida published at Evora in 1557Knight of Elvas
History
A Narrative of the expedition of Hernando de Soto into Florida published at Evora in 1557
Knight of Elvas
America -- Discovery and exploration; Florida -- History -- To 1565; Soto, Hernando de, approximately 1500-1542
In the town of _Patofa_ the youth which the Governor carried with him
for an interpreter and a guide, began to foam at the mouth, and tumble
on the ground, as one possessed with the devil: they said a gospel over
him, and the fit left him. And he said, that four days' journey from
thence toward the sun rising, was the province that he spoke of. The
Indians of _Patofa_ said, that toward that part they knew no habitation;
but that toward the north-west, they knew a province which was called
_Coca_, a very plentiful country, which had very great towns in it. The
cacique told the Governor that if he would go thither, he would give him
guides and Indians for burdens; and if he would go whither the youth
spake of, that he would likewise give him those that he needed; and so
with loving words and offers of courtesy, they took their leaves the one
of the other. He gave him seven hundred Indians to bear burdens. He took
maize for four days' journey. He traveled six days by a path which grew
narrow more and more, till it was lost altogether. He went where the
youth did lead him, and passed two rivers, which were waded: each of
them was two crossbow shots over; the water came to the stirrups, and
had so great a current, that it was needful for the horsemen to stand
one before another, that the footmen might pass above them, leaning unto
them. He came to another river of a great current and largeness, which
was passed with more trouble, because the horses did swim at the coming
out, about a lance's length. Having passed this river, the Governor came
to a grove of pine trees, and threatened the youth, and made as though
he would have cast him to the dogs, because he had told him a lie,
saying, it was but four days' journey, and they had traveled nine, and
every day seven or eight leagues, and the men by this time were grown
weary and weak, and the horses lean through the great scanting of the
maize. The youth said that he knew not where he was. It saved him that
he was not cast to the dogs, that there was never another whom _John
Ortiz_ did understand. The Governor, with them two, and with some
horsemen and footmen, leaving the camp in a grove of pine trees,
traveled that day five or six leagues to seek a way, and returned at
night very comfortless, and without finding any sign of way or town. The
next day there were sundry opinions delivered, whether they should go
back, or what they should do; and because backward the country whereby
they had passed was greatly spoiled, and destitute of maize, and that
which they brought with them was spent, and the men were very weak, and
the horses likewise, they doubted much whether they might come to any
place where they might help themselves. And besides this, they were of
opinion, that going in that sort out of order, that any Indians would
presume to set upon them, so that with hunger or with war, they could
not escape. The Governor determined to send horsemen from thence every
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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