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
The Governor departed from _Cutifachiqui_ the third day of May. And
because the Indians had revolted, and the will of the lady was
perceived, that if she could, she would depart without giving any guides
or men for burden, for the wrongs which the Christians had done to the
Indians (for there never want some among many of a base sort, that for
a little gain do put themselves and others in danger of undoing), the
Governor commanded her to be kept in safeguard, and carried with him,
not with so good usage as she deserved for the good-will she showed, and
good entertainment that she had made him. And he verified that old
proverb which saith: "For well-doing I receive evil." And so he carried
her on foot with his bondwomen to look unto her. In all the towns where
the Governor passed, the lady commanded the Indians to come and carry
the burdens from one town to another. We passed through her country an
hundred leagues, in which, as we saw, she was much obeyed, for the
Indians did all that she commanded them with great efficacy and
diligence. _Peter_, the youth that was our guide, said that she was not
the lady herself, but a niece of hers, which came to that town to
execute certain principal men by commandment of the lady, which had
withheld her tribute; which words were not believed, because of the lies
which they had found in him before; but they bare with all things
because of the need which they had of him to declare what the Indians
said. In seven days' space the Governor came to a province called
_Ohalaque_, the poorest country of maize that was seen in _Florida_. The
Indians feed upon roots and herbs, which they seek in the fields, and
upon wild beasts, which they kill with their bows and arrows, and are a
very gentle people. All of them go naked, and are very lean. There was a
Lord (Cutifachiqui), which for a great present, brought the Governor two
deer skins; and there were in that country many wild hens. In one town
they made him a present of seven hundred hens, and so in other towns
they sent him those which they had or could get. From this province to
another, which is called _Xualla_, he spent five days. Here he found
very little maize, and for this cause, though the people were wearied,
and the horses very weak, he staid no more but two days. From _Ocute_ to
_Cutifachiqui_, may be some hundred and thirty leagues, whereof eighty
are wilderness. From _Cutifachiqui_ to _Xualla_ two hundred and fifty,
and it is a hilly country. The Governor departed from _Xualla_ towards
_Guaxule_--he passed very rough and high hills. In that journey, the
lady of _Cutifachiqui_ (whom the Governor carried with him, as is
aforesaid, with purpose to carry her to _Guaxule_, because her territory
reached thither), going on a day with the bondwomen which led her, went
out of the way, and entered into a wood, saying she went to ease
herself, and so she deceived them, and hid herself in the wood; and
though they sought her they could not find her.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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