In 1851 a translation of the edition of 1555 into English, by (Thomas) Buckingham Smith, under the title The _Narrative of Alvar Nuñez Cabeça de Vaca_, was published privately at Washington by George W. Riggs; and shortly after Mr. Smith's death, in 1871, another edition, with many additions, was published in New York under the editorial supervision of John Gilmary Shea and at the expense of Henry C. Murphy. It is this edition of the _Narrative_ that is here reprinted. A paraphrase of the 1851 edition of Smith's translation appears in Henry Kingsley's _Tales of Old Travels_ (London, 1869). The first fourteen chapters of W. W. H. Davis's _Spanish Conquest of New Mexico_ (Doylestown, Pa., 1869) are also a paraphrase of the same work. Chapters XXX.-XXXVI. of the 1871 edition of Smith, somewhat abridged, were printed in an _Old South Leaflet_ (Gen. Ser., No. 39, Boston, 1893). A "Relation of what Befel the Persons who Escaped from the Disasters that Attended the Armament of Captain Pamphilo de Narvaez on the Shores and in the countries of the North," translated and condensed from the letter published by Oviedo, is printed in _The Historical Magazine_ (vol. XII., pp. 141, 204, 267, 347; September-December, 1867). The most recent English edition of the Cabeza de Vaca _Relation_, translated from the very rare imprint of 1542 by Mrs. Fanny Bandelier, and edited, with an introduction, by her husband Ad. F. Bandelier, was published in New York, in 1905, under the title, _The Journey of Alvar Nuñez Cabeza de Vaca_, as one of the volumes of the "Trail Makers" series. F. W. HODGE. THE NARRATIVE OF CABEZA DE VACA _Relation that Alvar Nuñez Cabeça de Vaca gave of what befell the armament in the Indies whither Pánfilo de Narváez went for Governor from the year 1527 to the year 1536 [1537] when with three comrades he returned and came to Sevilla._[1] [1] This heading is taken from the title-page of the edition of 1542. The edition of 1555, generally followed in this book, has a title-page so phrased as to cover both the North American and the South American narratives of the author. The return really took place in 1537. PROEM SACRED CAESARIAN CATHOLIC MAJESTY: Among the many who have held sway, I think no prince can be found whose service has been attended with the ardor and emulation shown for that of your Highness[2] at this time. The inducement is evident and powerful: men do not pursue together the same career without motive, and strangers are observed to strive with those who are equally impelled by religion and loyalty. [2] The Emperor Charles V.