The Indians through whose settlements Cabeza had passed, though they had appeared friendly, had permitted him to embark on the _Yguazû_ above the falls, without giving him warning of the danger that lay before him. The canoes that had been lent to the explorer were hurled with fearful rapidity along the face of the stream, and the rate of their passage became increased as they approached the scene of danger; but the distant sound of the falling waters warned Cabeza to steer for the bank, along which, for the distance of half a league, his followers carried their canoes, re-embarking below the falls, and then proceeding, without interruption, to the point of junction of the _Yguazû_ with the _Paraná_. Cabeza de Vaca was fortunate enough to disarm any hostile intentions which may have been harboured against him by a body of _Guaranís_ that lined the further bank of the great river. They even helped him to effect his passage across the stream into what is now the territory of _Paraguay_. Sending down to the care of a friendly Indian chief, and with a guard of fifty soldiers, such of his men as would be unable to bear the fatigue of the march to _Asuncion_, the Spanish leader proceeded on his way by land; and, after further experience of the difficulties of travelling over so densely wooded a district, he at length, on the 11th of March, had the satisfaction of reaching the settlement of his fellow-countrymen. [Sidenote: 1542.] After the departure from the _Paraná_ of Cabeza de Vaca, those of his men from whom he had separated were doomed to experience the invariable inconstancy of savages. The fear of chastisement and the hope of receiving presents being alike removed, the _Guaranís_ attempted by every means in their power to cut off the sick men and their guard; but by the aid of the friendly Indian chief to whose care they had been entrusted, they were enabled to continue their course in safety, and, having descended the _Paraná_ to the _Tres Bocas_, or three mouths of the _Paraguay_, they ascended the latter river, and reached _Asuncion_ one month after their leader.