ed him, all repeating the warning to return, and
they at length became so frequent as almost to over
take each other. The more, however, he was warn-

* Garcilaso de la Vega, P. 1, L. 2, c. 9.
Herrera. Hist. Ind. Decad. 6, L. 7. c. 10,



82 CONQUEST OF FLORIDA.

ed to return, the more obstinately did the stout
hearted, and hot headed cavalier persist in advanc
ing ; taking every thing by contrary, and judging of
the panic of the Cacique, by the frequency of his
messages. His only fear was that the prize might
take to flight, and escape him. He spurred on hotly,
therefore, with his troops until they arrived at a
vast and dismal morass.

Here his men perceived the truth of the warnings
they had received, and began to remonstrate about
the difficulty and danger of attempting this morass.
Vasco Porcallo, however, had put himself too much
on his mettle in this enterprise, to be easily daunt
ed. He insisted upon their entering ; but, being
an old soldier, he knew the effect in time of difficul
ty, of setting an example ; so, putting spurs to his
horse, he dashed forward, and his men followed him
pell mell into the morass. Vasco Porcallo had not
proceeded far, however, when, coming to a deep
miry place, his horse floundered and fell. The peril
of the Lieutenant-General was imminent ; the horse
had fallen upon one of his legs so as to pin him
down, while the weight of his armour contributed to
sink him in the mire. Both horse and rider were in
danger of suffocation, nor could any one come to
their aid : being in a perfect quagmire, where all
who entered would be exposed to like peril.



CONQUEST OF FLORIDA. 83

At length, with infinite difficulty, the worthy ca
valier extricated himself and his steed from this dis
mal bog, and landed once more on firm ground, co
vered with mud and mire. All his vainglory was
at an end, he was out of humour with himself, and
felt mortified in the sight of his soldiers. The sa
vage whom he had come to fight and capture, in
stead of encountering him with deadly weapons,
had conquered him by courteous and friendly mes
sages, and his vainglorious enterprise had ended in
a struggle in a quagmire.

Ordering his men to face about, he set. out
on his return for the camp, in far different
mood from that in which he had sallied forth.
Amidst the mortifications of his present plight, he
called to mind the pleasant and comfortable home
he had left behind, at Cuba, and the easy and luxu
rious life he had led there. He reflected that he
was no longer a boy ; that the vigour of his days
was past ; that his present disaster was but a slight
foretaste of the toils and troubles that must attend
this conquering expedition ; that he was not obliged
to encounter them, but had better return to his
home, and leave the conquest of Florida for the
young hot heads who were embarked in it.

Revolving these and similar thoughts in his mind,
the worthy old cavalier, all bedabbled and bemired,



84 CONQUEST OP FLORIDA.

and totally crest fallen, rode along in crusty and
querulous, yet half whimsical humour, muttering his
fancies to himself, and ejaculating, in a broken
manner, the hard Indian names, with an occasional
curse upon them for their ruggedness. " Hurri-
harri ! Hurri-higa ! Burra-coxa ! Hurri-harri the
devil take a country where the great men have such
infamous names ! a fine commencement this ! pro
mising omens of future luck ! Glorious middles and
ends to be augured from such beginnings ! Well,
let those work for food and fame who are in need of
them. For my part, I have riches and honour
enough to last for the rest of my life, and to leave
behind me."

In this moody way, the worthy Vasco Porcallo
arrived at the camp. All his dreams of conquest
were at an end. The martial fire which he had
caught from the young sparks of the army, and
which had blazed up so suddenly in his bosom, had
been as suddenly extinguished. His only thought
now, was, how to get rid of his command of Lieu
tenant General, and to get safe back to his comfort
able home in Cuba. With these views he present
ed himself at once before De Soto, and stating his
reasons with honest force and hearty sincerity, ap
plied for permission to resign. The Governor grant
ed it with the same promptness and grace, with



CONQUEST OF FLORIDA. 85

which he had accepted his offer to join the enter
prise, and moreover furnished him with the galliot
San Anton, to convoy him to the island.

The worthy veteran now set to work as eagerly
to get out of the expedition, as he had done to enter
upon it. His train of servants, Spanish, Indian, and
negro, were embarked with all speed ; but when
the gallant old cavalier came to take leave of his
young companions in arms, and the soldiers he
had lately aspired to lead so vaingloriously, his
magnificent spirit broke forth. He made gifts to
the right and left, dividing among the officers and
knights all the arms, accoutrements, horses, and
camp equipage with which he had come so lavishly
and ostentatiously provided ; and he gave for the
use of the army all the ample store of provisions
and munitions which he had brought for the use of
himself and his retinue. This done, he bade fare
well to campaigning, and set sail for Cuba, much to
the regret of the army, who lamented that so galliard
a spirit should have burnt out so soon.

The only one that remained behind of the train
of Vasco Porcallo, was his natural son, named Go
mez Suarez de Figueroa, whom he had by an In
dian woman, in Cuba, and with whom he left two
horses and arms, arid other necessaries. This youth
throughout this expedition, conducted himself as a

8



86 CONQUEST OF FLORIDA.

good knight and soldier, and a worthy son of such
a father, serving with great promptitude on all oc
casions.*

*The Inca. P. 1, L.2, c. 11.



87



CHAPTER XII.

De Soto leaves Pedro Colder on with a garrison in
Hirrihigua and sets out on his march into the
interior the difficulties he encountered Gonzalo
Silvestre sent back with a message to Calderon.

1539. ON the day after the departure of Vasco
Porcallo, a young cavalier named Gonzalo Silves
tre, followed by three other horsemen, rode into the
camp, having been sent by Baltazar de Gallegos.
They brought favourable accounts from Gallegos of
the country he had explored, and assurances that, in
the village of Urribarracaxi and its neighbourhood,
there were provisions enough to sustain the army
for several days.

There was but one drawback on their favourable
intelligence, which was, that beyond the town of
Urribarracaxi there extended a vast and dismal
swamp, exceedingly difficult to be traversed. The
Spaniards, however, who were all alert for action
and adventure, made light of this obstacle, averring
that God had given man genius and dexterity with
which to make his way through every difficulty.



88 CONQUEST OF FLORIDA.

Satisfied from the relation given by these men
that he might readily penetrate into the interior, the
Governor issued orders for every one to prepare to
march on the fourth day. In the mean time he des
patched Gonzalo Silvestre, with twenty horsemen,
to notify Baltazar de Gallegos of his intended march
to join him.

As there was a great quantity of arms, ammuni
tion, and provisions in the village of Hirrihigua, he
left a garrison there of forty horsemen and eighty foot
soldiers, with Pedro Calderon as Captain ; who had
command also of the shipping in the harbour, con
sisting of a caravel and two brigantines with their
crews.

They were enjoined to remain quiet, and not to
move to any other place without orders from De
Soto : they were, moreover, to cultivate peace with
the surrounding Indians ; not to make war upon them
even though they were taunted and insulted, and
above all, to treat Mucozo with marked friendship.

Having made all these arrangements, and trust
ing, as well he might, in Pedro Calderon as a good
soldier and discreet Captain, De Soto set out on
the appointed day, with his main force, from the
Bay of Espiritu Santo and the village of Hirrihigua.
It was an arduous and difficult task to conduct such
a body of troops, encumbered with armour and



CONQUEST OF FLORIDA. 89

with all kinds of baggage and supplies, through a
wilderness, exposed to hardships and dangers, and
a wild kind of warfare, to all which most of them
were entirely unaccustomed.

As a leading object with the Governor, also, was
to found a colony, he was encumbered with many
things that embarrassed the march of his army.
Among these are particularly noted three hundred
swine, with which he intended to stock the country
when he should settle, having been found the most
advantageous stock for the sustenance of new colo
nies. These animals were placed in charge of a
company of horse, to keep them to the line of march,
and guard them in traversing the swamps and
rivers.

Besides the match locks and cross-bows with
which the infantry were armed, there was one piece
of ordnance in the army, the transportation of
which must have cost vast labour, while it appears
never to have rendered any efficient service.

After two days march, always to the northeast,
De Soto, on the morning of the third day, came in
sight of the village of Mucozo. The Cacique came
forth to receive him, expressing great grief at his
intended depatrure from the country, and entreat
ing him to remain that night in his village. The
Governor, however, excused himself, riot wishing to
8*



90 CONQUEST OF FLORIDA.

task his hospitality with such a multitude of guests.
He again expressed his thanks for the kindness
shown by the Cacique to Juan Ortiz, and commend
ed to his friendship and good offices the Captain
and soldiers who remained in garrison in the village
of Hirrihigua. The Cacique promised to observe
towards them the strictest amity. He then took
leave of the Governor and his principal officers and
cavaliers, with many embraces and apparently sin
cere tears, praying that the sun might shine upon
them throughout their journey, and prosper them in
all their undertakings. The Spaniards, themselves,
were greatly affected at parting with this generous
savage, who had in all things proved himself so true
and noble a friend.

On arriving at the village of Urribarracaxi, De
Soto found Baltazar de Gallegos waiting to receive
him. The Cacique, however, was still absent, re
maining in the fastnesses of the forest, and though
the Governor sent envoys with offers of peace and
amity, nothing could draw him forth from his place
of refuge.

A grand obstacle now lay in the way by which
the Spaniards were to proceed. About three
leagues from the village extended a great morass
a league in width, two thirds mire and one third wa
ter, and very deep at the borders. Runners were



CONQUEST OF FLORIDA. 91



sent forth in three different directions to discover
a pass, which they succeeded in doing after several
days search. By this pass the army crossed with
ease, although it took a whole day to do so.

They now arrived on a broad plain, and sent the
runners ahead to explore their route. The latter
returned the next day, declaring that they could not
proceed farther on account of the many bogs made
by streams which ran out of the great morass and
inundated the country. Upon this the Governor
determined to seek a road himself. Choosing, there
fore, one hundred horse and as many foot soldiers,
he left the rest of the army where they were, with
the Camp-Master-General, Luis de Moscoso, arid
re-crossing the great swamp, he travelled three
days along one side of it, sending runners at differ
ent distances, to seek for some outlet.

During the three days, the Indians incessantly
sallied forth from the woods which skirted the
swamp, discharging their arrows at the Spaniards
and then retreating to their thickets. Some, how
ever, were killed and others taken prisoners. The
latter were used as guides, but they led the troops
into difficult passes, and places where the Indians
were lurking in ambush. Discovering their perfidy,
the Spaniards let loose the dogs, who killed four of
them. Upon this, an Indian, fearing a similar fate,



92 CONQUEST OF FLORIDA*



offered to guide them surely, and accordingly, after
a wide circuit, brought them to a place free from
mud, but where they had to proceed for the dis
tance of a league breast high in water, until they
came to the mid channel, where, for a hundred
yards, it was too deep to be forded. Here the In
dians had constructed a rude bridge, by felling two
large trees into the water ; and, where they did riot
unite, the space was supplied by logs tied to each
other, with poles across them. By this same bridge
Pamphilo de Narvaez had passed, ten years before,
with his unfortunate army.

Hernando de Soto, well pleased to have found
this bridge, summoned two soldiers, half-breeds of
the Island of Cuba, named Pedro Moron and Diego
de Oliva, who were expert swimmers, and ordered
them to take hatchets and cut away several branches
which obstructed the passage of the bridge, and
clear away all other impediments.

The two soldiers set to work with all diligence,
but in the midst of their labour, several canoes with
Indians darted forth from among the rushes, and
galled the workmen by a flight of arrows. The
two half-breeds plunged headlong from the bridge,
swam under the water and came up near their com
rades. They were but slightly wounded, for being
under the surface of the water, the force of the ar-



CONQUEST OF FLORIDA. 93

rows was broken and they did not penetrate deeply.
After this sudden onset the Indians retired. The
Spaniards repaired the bridge without being again
molested, and at a short distance above they dis
covered a very good pass for the horses.

Having thus succeeded in the object of his search,
the Governor called to him Gonzalo Silvestre, one
of the most hardy and spirited of his youthful cava
liers, and the best mounted of his troop. " To your
lot," said he, " has fallen the best horse in the army,
and the more work you will have in consequence,
for we have to~ assign to you the most difficult tasks
that occur. It is important to our lives and the suc
cess of our enterprise, that you return this night to
the camp, and tell Luis de Moscoso to follow us
with all the army ; and as for you, that he immedi
ately despatch you to us with provisions, to sustain
us until we find food : for our need you well know
is great. And that you may return with more
safety than you go, tell him to give you thirty lances
as an escort. I will wait for you in this same place
until to-morrow night, so return without delay. The
road may seem long and difficult to you, and the
time short, but I know to whom I entrust the under
taking. That you may not go alone, take with you
the companion you like best ; and be off at once,
for you should be at the camp before day breaks ;



94 CONQUEST OF FLORIDA.

lest, should the day dawn before you have passed
the swamp, the Indians capture and kill you."

The very peril of the mission put the youthful Sil-
vestre upon his metal. Without answering a w r ord,
he left the Governor, vaulted in his saddle, and was
already on the way when he encountered another
youth, one Juan Lopez Cacho, native of Seville,
and page of the Governor, who had an excellent
horse. "Juan Lopez," cried Silvestre, " the Gene
ral has ordered that you and I go with a message
to be delivered before day-break at the camp; fol
low me, therefore, immediately, for I am already
on the road."

" Take some other person, I entreat you," said
Juan Lopez, " I am fatigued, and cannot make the
journey."

" As you please," replied Silvestre, " the Gover
nor ordered me to choose a companion, and I have
chosen you. If you are so disposed, come and wel
come ; if not, remain. Your company will not dimi
nish the danger, nor will my going alone encrease
the toil." So saying he put spurs to his horse and
continued on his way. Juan Lopez, much as it
went against his will, leaped into his saddle and gal
loped after him.



95



CHAPTER XIII.

The perilous journey of Gonzalo Sihestre, and his
friend, Juan Lopez.

1539. THE sun was just setting as Gonzalo Silves-
tre and his comrade, Juan Lopez, departed on their
hazardous mission. These youthful cavaliers were
well matched in spirit, hardihood, and sprightly va
lour ; and neither of them had attained his twenty
first year.

They galloped rapidly over the first four or five
leagues, the road being clear, free from forests,
swamps, or streams. In all that distance they did
not perceive a single Indian. No sooner, however,
had they crossed this open tract, than their dan
gers and difficulties began ; for, being ignorant of
the country, they were obliged to trace back step by
step, the track they had made three days previous,
through bog and brake, brambles and forest, and
across a labyrinth of streams meandering from the
great morass : guiding themselves by the land
marks they had noticed on their previous march. In
this toilsome twilight journey, they were aided by
the instinct of the horses. These sagacious animals,



96 CONQUEST OF FLORIDA.

as if possessed of understandings, traced the road
by which they had come, and like spaniels or setter
dogs, thrust their noses along the ground to discover
the track. Their riders did not at first understand
their intention, and checked them with the reins to
raise their heads. Did they at any time lose the
track, on finding it again the steeds would puff and
snort, which alarmed their masters, who dreaded
being overheard, by the savages.*

Gonzalo Silvestre, comprehending at length the
intention of his horse when he lowered his head to
seek the track, gave him his will, without attempt
ing to guide him. Encountering these difficulties
and many others more easily to be imagined than

* The Inca is curiously minute in his account of these horses.
The steed of Gonzalo Silvestre, says he, was the most sure in the
track, and certain to discover it when lost. However, he adds,
we must not be surprised at this excellent quality, and many
others that this horse possessed ; for, his marks and colour prov
ed him admirably fitted aither for peace or war. He was of a dark
chestnut of a pitchy shade, with white on one of his left feet,
and striped above the nostrils, marks which promise more excel,
lence and gentleness than any other. The dark chestnut colour,
especially when of a pitchy hue, is above all others the most ex-
cellent, either for light or heavy labour. The steed of Juan Lo.
pez Cachero, was of a light bay, commonly called fox colour, and
his extremities were black, excellent marks, but inferior to the
dark chestnut colour.

Garcilaso de la Vega. P. 1, L. 2, c. 14.



CONQUEST OF FLORIDA. 97

written, these two daring youths travelled all night,
without any road, half dead with hunger, worn out
with excessive fatigue, and almost overcome by
sleep. Their horses were in no better plight, as for
three days they had not been unsaddled, the bits
being merely taken from their mouths occasionally,
that they might graze.

At times they passed within sight of huge fires,
around which the savages were seen stretched in
wild and fantastic groups, some capering and sing
ing, and making the silent forests ring with their hi
deous yells, and howlings. These were probably
celebrating some of their feasts with war dances.
The deafening din they raised was the safeguard of
the two Spaniards, as it prevented the savages notic
ing the clamorous barking of their dogs, and hear
ing the trampling of the horses as they passed.*

Thus they journeyed for more than ten leagues.
Juan Lopez was repeatedly so much overpowered
by sleep, that he entreated that they should halt,
and take some repose, but Silvestre resolutely re
fused. At length poor Lopez could contain himself
no longer. " Let me sleep for a short time," said he,
" or kill me with your lance on the spot, for I can
not possibly go on any farther, or keep my saddle."

* The Inca, p. 1, L. 2, c. 14.

9



98 CONQUEST OF FLORIDA.

" Dismount then, and sleep if you please," said
Silvestre, " since you had rather run the risk of
being butchered than bear up an hour longer. Ac
cording to the distance we have come, we must be
near the pass of the morass, and cross it we must
before dawn ; for, if day finds us in this place our
death is certain."

Juan Lopez made no reply, but let himself fall
upon the ground like a lifeless body. His compa
nion took from him his lance, and held his horse by
the bridle. Night now rapidly drew on the clouds
poured forth a deluge of rain, but nothing could
awaken Juan Lopez from his deep and death-like
slumber.

As the rain ceased, the clouds dispersed and Sil
vestre declared that he found himself suddenly in
broad daylight, without having perceived it dawn ;
it is probable that he had been unconsciously sleep
ing in his saddle. Startled at beholding the day so
near, he hastened to call Lopez, but finding that the
low tones in which he spoke, were insufficient, he
made use of his lance, and gave him some hearty
blows, calling out, " Look what your sleeping has
brought upon us : see, the daylight which we dread
ed has overtaken us, and we have now no escape
from our enemies !"

Juan Lopez, roused at last by this summary pro-



CONQUEST OF FLORIDA. 99

cess, sprang into his saddle, and they set off at a
hand gallop. Fortunately for them, the horses were
of such bottom, that notwithstanding past fatigue,
they were yet in spirit. The light revealed the two
cavaliers to the Indians, who set up yells and howl-
ings, that seemed to arise from every part of the
morass, accompanied by a frightful din, and clang
our of drums, trumpets, conches, and other rude in
struments of warlike music.

A perilous league remained to be made, over an
expanse of water, which the horses would have to
ford. Before the Spaniards reached it, they beheld
canoes darting forth from among thickets and cane-
brakes, until the water seemed covered with them.
They saw the imminent danger that awaited them
in the water, after passing so many on land ; but,
knowing that in courage alone consisted their safety,
they dashed boldly into it ; seeking to pass it with
all speed. Throughout the whole distance, they
were beset by the Indians, who discharged clouds
of arrows at them. Fortunately they were cased
in armour, and their horses were nearly covered
with the water, so that they both escaped without
wounds, though the cavaliers declared that, on
reaching land, ajid looking back, the whole surface
of the water seemed strewed with arrows.

The Indians still continued to pursue them on



100 CONQUEST OF FLORIDA.

land, plying their bows, and speeding flights of ar
rows after them, when suddenly a band of thirty
horsemen came galloping to the rescue, headed by
the gallant Nuno Tobar, on his famous dapple grey
charger. The wild cries and yells of the Indians
having reached the army, had caused a surmise that
some Spaniards were in danger, and Nuno Tobar
had immediately proposed this sally to their rescue ;
for that generous cavalier, now that he was out of
favour with his general, seemed, with the pride of a
noble spirit, to pique himself the more on signalizing
himself by worthy deeds.

At sight of Nuno Tobar, and his band, the In
dians gave over the pursuit ; and fearing to be tram
pled down by the horses, fled to the thickets and
morass for safety.



101



CHAPTER XIV.

Thirty lances sally forth with supplies for the
Governor. The haughty speech of the Cacique
Acuera.

1 539. THE two adventurous troopers reached the
army in safety, and were received with acclamations
by their comrades. On learning their errand, Luis de
Moscoso, the Camp-Master-General, immediately
ordered two horses to be laden with supplies for the
Governor and his troops, and thirty horsemen as an
escort. With this band Gonzalo Silvestre set out
on his return, without having reposed an hour in the
camp, and having scarcely taken any refreshment.
His friend, Juan Lopez, however, remained behind,
excusing himself under the plea that the Governor
had neither ordered him to go nor return.

The thirty horse passed the morass without oppo
sition from the Indians, and travelled all day with
out seeing an enemy. With all their speed they
could not arrive at the place at which the Governor
had promised to await them, until two hours after
night fall, when, to their great chagrin, they found
9*



102 - CONQUEST OP FLORIDA.

the late camping ground deserted. Ignorant of the
route taken by the General, the little band made