The landing of this proud and gallant company on the shores of the new world was a splendid spectacle. Their banners floated in the soft breezes of Florida; the golden sun of Florida reflected itself in their armour; and thus they galloped onward, “very gallant,” says the old chronicle, “silk upon silk,” along the sea-shore of that region which they believed to be full of gold and great cities, and the destined conquerors of which they esteemed themselves to be. Ferdinand de Soto, who, like Cortes, wished to remove all possibility of a retreat, either for himself or his companions, sent back all his vessels to Cuba, where he had left his young wife as governor during his absence. It was in the month of May, 1539, when they set out; taking with them weapons of all kinds, work-tools and an iron-forge, as well as chains and bloodhounds for the subjection of their captives. They also took with them a singular accompaniment for so gallant an army, a drove of three hundred swine, which were intended to stock the country when the commander should have selected his seat of government; and these swine were driven with the expedition through nearly the whole of its route. They advanced onward through a wilderness day after day, and week after week, amid continual skirmishes with the natives, and ever, as they went, mass was performed by priests with all the pomp of Catholic ceremonial; and cruelties were practised on their captives, whilst they amused themselves by gaming. Thus they wandered onward through uncultivated regions for upwards of five months, and then established themselves in winter-quarters. In twelve months they had advanced to the ocean—to the very spot whence Narvaez had embarked; they had found plenty of maize, but no gold, and no cities but only small Indian villages. Next spring they broke up their winter camp, and set out for a remote country, of which they had heard, lying to the north-east, abounding in gold and silver, and the ruler of which was a woman. They now advanced to the north-east, made a long and arduous journey, and arrived indeed at the territory of the queen, of whose wealth they had conceived such extravagant hopes; but the gold proved to be copper, and the silver thin plates of mica. Still de Soto advancing with a perseverance worthy of a better cause, came to the spring-heads of vast rivers, and thus reached the Highlands of Georgia, where he fell in with the peaceable and gentle Cherokee Indians. This was the second year of his wanderings. Some of de Soto’s companions wished to settle down here in the midst of a beautiful region, and enjoy the riches of an abundant soil. But no,—de Soto would not listen to such a scheme: he had promised a second Peru and Mexico to Spain, and he would not desist from his wanderings till they were found. He was a resolute man, of few words, and his followers yielded themselves to his commands.