The “singing women” described in the text must have been picked Amazons, for the women in general, and children, had been previously sent to a place of refuge by the Mobilians in anticipation of a fight. The slaughter of the poorly armed natives was very great, but the invaders suffered severely. Not only were eighty-two killed, including the nephew and nephew-in-law of the Adelantado (as De Soto was styled), but none of the Spaniards escaped severe wounds. To add to their sufferings, the medicines and surgical appliances, having been placed in the town previous to the breaking out of the conflict, were burned, and all the surgeons but one were killed. De Soto himself received an arrow in his thigh. The missile was not extracted until after the battle, and he was forced to continue the fight standing in his stirrups. The place of the battle is supposed to be what is now known as Choctaw Bluff, in Clarke County, Alabama. _THE FALL OF MAUBILA._ Hearken the stirring story The soldier has to tell, Of fierce and bloody battle, Contested long and well, Ere walled Maubila, stoutly held, Before our forces fell. Now many years have circled Since that October day, When proudly to Maubila De Soto took his way, With men-at-arms and cavaliers In terrible array. Oh, never sight more goodly In any land was seen; And never better soldiers Than those he led have been, More prompt to handle arquebus, Or wield their sabres keen. The sun was at meridian, His hottest rays fell down Alike on soldier’s corselet And on the friar’s gown; The breeze was hushed as on we rode Right proudly to the town. First came the bold De Soto, In all his manly pride, The gallant Don Diego, His nephew, by his side; A yard behind Juan Ortiz rode, Interpreter and guide. Baltasar de Gallegos, Impetuous, fierce, and hot; Francisco de Figarro, Since by an arrow shot; And slender Juan de Guzman, who In battle faltered not. Luis Bravo de Xeres, That gallant cavalier; Alonzo de Cormono, Whose spirit knew no fear; The Marquis of Astorga, and Vasquez, the cannoneer. Andres de Vasconcellos, Juan Coles, young and fair, Roma de Cardenoso, Him of the yellow hair— Rode gallant in their bravery, Straight to the public square. And there, in sombre garments, Were monks of Cuba four, Fray Juan de Gallegos, And other priests a score, Who sacramental bread and wine And holy relics bore. And next eight hundred soldiers In closest order come, Some with Biscayan lances, With arquebuses some, Timing their tread to martial notes Of trump and fife and drum.