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