"You must know that a band of more than fifty savages sprang out of the thickets to attack us. The moment, however, they saw that we were but seven, and without our horses, seven warriors stepped forth, and the rest retired to some distance. They began the attack, and as we had neither arquebus nor cross-bow, we were entirely at their mercy. Being more agile, and fleet of foot than our men, they leaped around us like so many devils, with horrid laughter, shooting us down like wild beasts without our being able to close with them. My poor comrades fell one after the other, and the savages seeing me alone, all seven rushed upon me, and with their bows battered me as you have witnessed." This singular event took place within the territory of Appalachee. It is said that the Spaniards not unfrequently met with similar instances, in which the natives disdained to avail themselves of superior numbers. CHAPTER XIII. _Lost in the Wilderness._ Incidents at Achise--Arrival at Cofa.--Friendly Reception by Cofaqui.--The Armed Retinue.--Commission of Patofa.--Splendors of the March.--Lost in the Wilderness.--Peril of the Army.--Friendly Relations.--The Escape from the Wilderness.--They Reach the Frontiers of Cofachiqui.--Dismissal of Patofa.--Wonderful Reception by the Princess of Cofachiqui. After a couple of days of rest and feasting, the Spanish army resumed its march. De Soto led the advance with forty horsemen and seventy foot soldiers. Ere long they entered the province of Attapaha, from which the river Attapaha probably takes its name. On the morning of the third day they approached a village called Achise. The affrighted natives had fled. Two warriors who had tarried behind, were captured as the dragoons came dashing into the streets. They were led into the presence of De Soto. Without waiting to be addressed by him, they haughtily assailed him with the question, "What is it you seek in our land? Is it peace, or is it war?" De Soto replied, through his interpreter, "We seek not war with any one. We are in search of a distant province; and all that we ask for is an unobstructed passage through your country, and food by the way." The answer seemed to them perfectly satisfactory, and they at once entered apparently into the most friendly relations. The captives were set at liberty and treated by the Spaniards, in all respects, as friends. Promptly the two warriors sent a message to their chief, informing him of the peaceful disposition of the Spaniards, and he accordingly issued orders to his people not to molest them.