|
- Fontaneda's
Memoir
-
-
Hernando
D'Escalante
Fontaneda
wrecked
on
"Florida"
at
age
13
in
1549/50,
lived
17
years
with
the
Calusa
Indians,
rescued
at
age
30
(1566)
and
wrote
his
memoir
in
1575.
Exact
dates
are
difficult
to
establish
as
Fontaneda
does
not
say
anything
other
than
his
age
and
there
were
a
number
of
shipwrecks
where
there
was
one
surviving
male.
Fontaneda
did
not
say
where
or
when
he
wrecked
or
who,
where
or
when
he
was
rescued,
other
than
he
was
30.
Dr.
Eugene
Lyon
found
a
document
in
Spain
recording
Fontaneda
as
a
interpreter
in
1566;
therefore,
he
had
been
rescued
bu
1566.
Many
shipwrecks
have
been
found
in
the
time
period
that
could
have
been
his,
but
we
simply
do
not
know.
Regardless,
depending
on
his
birthday,
the
above
dates
are
close
enough.
-
- (Translation
by
Buckingham
Smith,
1854)
- "Very
Powerful
Lord:
Memoir
of
the
things,
the
shore,
and
the
Indians
of
Florida,
to
describe
which,
none
of
the
many
persons
who
have
coasted
that
country
know
how
to
describe
it.
The
Islands
of
Yucayo
and
of
Ahite
fall
on
one
side
of
the
Channel
of
the
Bahama.
There
are
no
Indians
on
them,
and
they
lie
between
Havana
and
Florida.
There
are
yet
other
islands,
nearer
to
the
mainland,
stretching
between
the
west
and
east,
called
the
Martires;
for
the
reason
that
many
men
have
suffered
on
them,
and
also
because
certain
rocks
rise
there
from
beneath
the
sea,
which,
at
a
distance,
look
like
men
in
distress.
Indians
are
on
these
islands,
who
are
of
a
large
size:
the
women
are
well
proportioned,
and
have
good
countenances.
On
these
islands
there
are
two
Indian
towns;
in
one
of
them
the
one
town
is
called
Guarugunbe,
which
in
Spanish
is
pueblo
de
Llanto,
the
town
of
weeping;
the
name
of
the
other
little
town,
Cuchiyaga,
means
the
place
where
there
has
been
suffering.
These
Indians
have
no
gold,
less
silver,
and
less
clothing.
They
go
naked,
except
only
some
breech-cloths
woven
of
palm,
with
which
the
men
cover
themselves;
the
women
do
the
like
with
certain
grass
that
grows
on
trees.
This
grass
looks
like
wool,
although
it
is
different
from
it
The
common
food
is
fish,
turtle,
and
snails
(all
of
which
are
alike
fish),
and
tunny
and
whale;
which
is
according
to
what
I
saw
while
I
was
among
these
Indians.
Some
eat
sea-wolves;
not
all
of
them,
for
there
is
a
distinction
between
the
higher
and
the
lower
classes,
but
the
principal
persons
eat
them.
There
is
another
fish
which
we
here
call
langosta
(lobster),
and
one
like
unto
a
chapin
(trunkfish),
of
which
they
consume
not
less
than
of
the
former.
On
these
islands
are
many
deer,
and
a
certain
animal
that
looks
like
a
fox,
yet
is
not,
but
a
different
thing
from
it.
It
is
fat
and
good
to
eat.
[probably
raccoon]
On
other
islands
are
very
large
bears;
and,
as
the
islands
run
from
west
to
east,
and
the
land
of
Florida
passes
eastwardly
towards
these
islands,
that
must
be
the
reason
of
bears
being
on
them;
for
the
mainland
is
near,
and
they
can
cross
from
island
to
island.
But
what
was
a
great
wonder
to
the
captives
who
were
there,
and
to
those
of
us
in
other
places,
was
the
existence
of
deer
on
the
Islands
of
Cuchiyaga,
the
town
of
which
I
have
spoken.
Much
more
would
I
relate
of
each
thing,
but
that
I
have
other
objects
which
concern
me
more,
and
I
leave
it.
On
these
islands
is
likewise
a
wood
we
call
here
el
palo
para
muchas
cosas
(the
wood
for
many
uses),
well
known
to
physicians;
also
much
fruit
of
many
sorts,
which
I
will
not
enumerate,
as,
were
I
to
attempt
to
do
so,
I
should
never
finish.
To
the
west
of
these
islands
is
a
great
channel,
which
no
pilot
dares
go
through
with
a
large
vessel;
because,
as
I
have
said,
of
some
islands
that
are
on
the
opposite
side
towards
the
west,
which
are
without
trees,
and
formed
of
sand.
At
some
time
they
have
been
the
foundations
of
cays
[Keys],
and
must
have
been
eaten
away
by
the
currents
of
the
sea,
which
have
left
them
thus
bare,
plain
sand.
They
are
seven
leagues
in
circumference,
and
are
called
the
Islands
of
the
Tortugas;
for
turtle
are
there,
and
many
come
at
night
to
lay
their
eggs
in
the
sand.
The
animal
is
of
the
size
of
a
shield,
and
has
as
much
flesh
as
a
cow;
it
is
like
all
kinds
of
meat,
and
yet
is
fish.
Running
from
south
to
north
between
Habana
and
Florida,
the
distance
to
the
Tortugas
and
the
Martires
is
forty
leagues;
twenty
leagues
to
the
Martires,
and
thence
other
twenty
to
Florida
to
the
territory
of
Carlos,
a
province
of
Indians,
which
in
their
language
signifies
a
fierce
people,
they
are
so-called
for
being
brave
and
skillful,
as
in
truth
they
are.
They
are
masters
of
a
large
district
of
country,
as
far
as
a
town
they
call
Guacata,
on
the
Lake
of
Mayaimi,
which
is
called
Mayaimi
because
it
is
very
large.
Around
it
are
many
little
villages,
which
I
will
speak
about
hereafter.
The
distance
in
going
from
Habana
to
the
farthest
islands,
which
are
beyond
the
Cape
of
the
Martires
and
almost
adjoin
Florida,
is
sixty
leagues;
because
those
islands
are
near
seventy
leagues
in
extent,
and
run
from
west
to
east.
This
channel
has
many
passages,
and
many
different
outlets
and
little
channels.
The
principal
channel
is
very
wide;
across
it
are
the
Islands
of
Vermuda,
of
which
I
have
some
recollection
of
what
the
Indians
said;
but
not
wishing
to
extend
this
account
in
that
direction,
I
return
to
what
I
was
talking
about,
the
termination
of
the
islands
of
the
Martires.
Toward
the
north
the
Martires
end
near
a
place
of
the
Indians
called
Tequesta,
situated
on
the
bank
of
a
river
which
extends
into
the
country
the
distance
of
fifteen
leagues,
and
issues
from
another
lake
of
fresh
water,
which
is
said
by
some
Indians
who
have
traversed
it
more
than
I,
to
be
an
arm
of
the
Lake
of
Mayaimi.
On
this
lake,
which
lies
in
the
midst
of
the
country,
are
many
towns,
of
thirty
or
forty
inhabitants
each;
and
as
many
more
places
there
are
in
which
people
are
not
so
numerous.
They
have
bread
of
roots,
which
is
their
common
food
the
greater
part
of
the
time;
and
because
of
the
lake,
which
rises
in
some
seasons
so
high
that
the
roots
cannot
be
reached
in
consequence
of
the
water,
they
are
for
some
time
without
eating
this
bread.
Fish
is
plenty
and
very
good.
There
is
another
root,
like
the
truffle
over
here,
which
as
sweet;"
and
there
are
other
different
roots
of
many
kinds;
but
when
there
is
hunting,
either
deer
or
birds,
they
prefer
to
eat
meat
or
fowl.
I
will
also
mention,
that
in
the
rivers
of
fresh
water
are
infinite
quantities
of
eels,
very
savory,
and
enormous
trout.
The
eels
are
nearly
the
size
of
a
man,
thick
as
the
thigh,
and
some
of
them
are
smaller.
The
Indians
also
eat
lagartos
(alligators),"
and
snakes,
and
animals
like
rats,
which
live
in
the
lake,
fresh-water
tortoises,
and
many
more
disgusting
reptiles
which,
if
we
were
to
continue
enumerating,
we
should
never
be
through.
These
Indians
occupy
a
very
rocky
and
a
very
marshy
country.
They
have
no
product
of
mines,
or
thing
that
we
have
in
this
part
of
the
world.
The
men
go
naked,
and
the
women
in
a
shawl
made
of
a
kind
of
palm-leaf,
split
and
woven.
They
are
subject's
of
Carlos,
and
pay
him
tribute
of
all
the
things
I
have
before
mentioned,
food
and
roots,
the
skins
of
deer,
and
other
articles.''
The
Auditor
Lucas
Vasquez,
a
resident
of
Santo
Domingo,
and
six
others,
townsmen
of
his,
I
think,
left
there
with
vessels,
(of
which
some
Indians
of
the
Island
of
Yeaga,
at
the
end
of
the
Lucayo
Islands,
give
account,)
to
see
the
river
and
land
of
Santa
Elena.
Seven
leagues
to
the
north
of
these
is
a
town,
which,
instead
of
pronouncing
it
Orizta,
they
who
went
there
called
it
Chicora;
and
as
to
the
other
town,
for
Guale,
they
said
Gualdape.
The
Spaniards
saw
no
more
towns;
for
they
explored
no
farther,
and
did
not
enter
nor
examine
the
coast
in
earnest,
for
fear
of
grounding
their
vessels
and
getting
them
lost.
Thus
they
accomplished
no
more;
although
it
is
true
that
neither
gold
nor
silver
is
to
be
got
there,
as
they
are
to
be
found
only
at
places
remote.
It
is
said,
that
sixty
leagues
inland
towards
the
north
there
are
mines
of
gold
and
copper.
At
the
mouth
of
a
river,
and
by
lakes,
are
towns,
Otapali,
Olagatano,
and
many
others.
The
inhabitants
are
neither
Chichimecas
nor
the
people
of
the
Jordan.
The
king
is
called
wayor
y
Bran
Senor
(chief
and
great
lord)
in
our
language;
and
in
that
of
the
Indians
of
Carlos,
it
is
Certepe.
The
cacique
is
the
greatest
of
the
kings,
having
the
renown
of
Montesuma.
The
natives
are
poor
at
the
place
to
which
Lucas
Basquez
and
other
Spaniards
went,
although
some
seed
pearls
are
found
there
in
certain
conchs.
The
cat
fish,
oysters
(roasted
or
raw),
deer,
roebuck,
and
other
animals.
While
they
kill
these,
the
women
bring
wood
to
cook
or
broil
on
grates.
If
the
Spaniards
found
any
gold,
it
must
have
come
a
long
way,
from
the
mountains,
and
from
that
king
of
whom
I
just
spoke.
The
Jordan
that
is
talked
of,
is
a
superstition
of
the
Indians
of
Cuba,
which
they
hold
to
because
it
is
their
creed,
not
because
there
is
such
a
river.
Juan
Ponz
de
Leon,
giving
heed
to
the
tale
of
the
Indians
of
Cuba
and
Santo
Domingo,
went
to
Florida
in
search
of
the
River
Jordan,
that
he
might
have
some
enterprise
on
foot,
or
that
he
might
earn
greater
fame
than
he
already
possessed
and
close
his
life,
which
is
the
most
probable
supposition;
or,
if
not
for
these
objects,
then
that
he
might
become
young
from
bathing
in
such
a
stream.
This
thought
was
of
itself
proof
that
all
must
have
been
fiction
that
was
told
by
the
Indians
of
Cuba
and
its
whole
neighborhood,
who,
to
satisfy
their
tradition,
said
that
the
Jordan
was
in
Florida;
to
which
at
least
I
can
say,
that
while
I
was
a
captive
there,
I
bathed
in
many
streams,
but
to
my
misfortune
I
never
came
upon
the
river.
Anciently,
many
Indians
from
Cuba
entered
the
ports
of
the
Province
of
Carlos
in
search
of
it;
and
the
father
of
King
Carlos,
whose
name
was
Senquene,
stopped
those
persons,
and
made
a
settlement
of
them,
the
descendants
of
whom
remain
to
this
day.
And
the
same
objects
that
they
who
left
their
country
came
in
quest
of
in
the
River
Jordan,
the
kings
and
caciques
of
Florida,
although
savages,
took
information
of
and
sought
after,
as
though
they
had
been
a
more
polite
people,
that
they
might
see
what
river
that
could
be
which
did
such
good
work,
even
to
the
turning
of
aged
men
and
women
back
to
their
youth.
So
earnestly
did
they
engage
in
the
pursuit,
that
there
remained
not
a
river
nor
a
brook
in
all
Florida,
not
even
lakes
and
ponds,
in
which
they
did
not
bathe;
and
to
this
day
they
persist
in
seeking
that
water,
and
never
are
satisfied.
In
the
attainment
of
the
promises
of
their
faith,
those
of
Cuba
determined,
for
such
was
their
vow,
to
venture
their
lives
on
that
sea;
and
it
ended
in
all
that
numerous
people
who
went
over
to
Carlos
forming
a
settlement:
but
to
this
day
youth
and
age
find
alike
that
they
are
mocked,
and
many
have
destroyed
themselves.
It
is
cause
for
merriment,
that
Juan
Ponz
de
Leon
went
to
Florida
to
find
the
River
Jordan.
We
will
speak
of
the
country
of
Abalachi,
which
is
in
the
direction
of
Panuco,
where
resounds
the
fame
of
its
abundance
of
pearls;
and
it
is
certain
that
they
do
exist.
Between
Abalachi
and
Olagale
is
a
river
the
Indians
call
Guasaca-esgui,
which
means
in
our
language,
Rio
de
Canas
(river
of
canes).
On
this
river,
arm
of
the
sea,
and
coast,
are
the
pearls,
which
are
got
in
certain
oysters
and
conchs.
They
are
carried
to
all
the
provinces
and
villages
of
Florida,
but
principally
to
Tocobaga,
the
nearest
town;
because
in
it
resides
the
king,
who
is
chief
cacique
of
the
region
lying
on
the
right-hand
side
coming
to
Habana.
He
is
called
Tocobaga
chile,
has
many
vassals,
and
is
an
independent
king.
He
lives
inland
on
the
last
cape
of
the
river.
There
are
more
than
forty
leagues
of
distance,
following
up
the
stream,
to
where
Hernando
de
Soto
thought
to
colonize;
but
he
did
not
do
so,
in
consequence
of
his
death.
When
that
took
place,
the
intention
was
abandoned,
and
the
soldiers
marched
on.
The
Spaniards,
on
their
way,
hung
the
cacique
of
Abalachi,
because
he
would
not
give
them
provision
of
maize
for
the
journey;
or,
as
the
Indians
of
the
town
of
Abalachi
say,
because
their
cacique
had
around
his
neck
some
large
pearls,
and
in
the
middle
of
them
a
very
big
one,
about
the
size
of
an
egg
of
the
turtledove,
which
there
are
in
that
country,
and
have
nests
in
their
season
on
trees;
and
this
is
what
the
Indians
state
.
There
are
no
mines
of
either
silver
or
gold,
at
least
the
natives
do
not
know
of
any.
Their
food
is
maize
and
fish;
and
there
is
a
very
great
deal
of
both.
They
kill
a
great
many
deer,
antelopes,
and
other
animals,
that
they
eat;
but
their
usual
food
is
fish.
They
make
bread
from
a
certain
root,
such
as
I
have
described
before
as
growing
in
swamps;
and
they
have
much
fruit
of
many
different
kinds,
which
to
mention
would
be
endless.
These
Indians
do
not
wear
clothing,
not
even
the
women.
They
go
naked,
except
some
dressed
deer-skins
made
into
breech-cloths,
with
which
they
only
conceal
their
shame.
The
females
cover
themselves
about
the
waist
with
the
straw
that
grows
on
trees.
This
plant
is
like
tow,
or
wool,
but
is
brown,
instead
of
white.
We
will
now
leave
Tocobaga,
Abalachi,
Olagale,
and
Mogoso,
which
are
separate
kingdoms;
and
I
will
name
over
the
villages
and
towns
of
the
deceased
cacique
Carlos,
who
was
put
to
death
by
sentence
of
the
Captain
Reynoso.
First,
a
place
called
Tampa,
a
large
town,
and
another
town,
which
is
called
Tomo
;
another,
Tuchi
and
another
Soco;
another
by
the
name
No,
which
signifies
town
beloved;
another,
Sinapa
;
and
another,
Sinaesta
;
and
another,
Metamapo;
and
another,
Sacaspada;
and
another,
Calaobe;
and
another,
Estame
;
another,
Yagua
;
another,
Guevu
;
another,
Muspa
;
another,
Casitoa
;
another,
Tatesta
;
another,
Cayovea
;
and
another,
Jutun;
another,
Tequemapo;
and
another,
with
the
name
of
Comachica
;
also,
Quisiyove,
and
two
other
towns
of
that
territory,
the
names
of
which
I
do
not
recollect,
for
it
has
been
six
years
since
I
came
from
there.
Besides,
there
are
others
inland,
on
the
Lake
of
Mayaimi
;
and
another
town,
and
the
first
is
Cutespa;
another,
Tavaguemue;
another,
Tomsobe,
another,
Enempa;
and
other
twenty
towns
there
are,
of
which
I
do
not
remember
the
names.
There
are
also
two
towns
more,
which
are
on
the
Islands
of
the
Yucayos,
subject
to
Carlos,
the
Indian
before
mentioned;
the
one
is
called
Guarungunve,
and
the
other,
Cuchiyaga.
Carlos,
after
his
father,
was
lord
of
these
fifty
towns,
until
the
time
of
his
execution,
as
I
have
said;
and
now
Don
Pedro
reigns,
the
son
of
Sebastian.
These
two
were
brought
to
Havana
by
Pedro
Melendez,
that
he
might
gratify
them,
and
he
directed
that
they
should
be
so
named;
but
they
became
worse
than
they
were
before
he
made
them
gifts,
and
still
worse
would
matters
have
stood
had
they
been
christened;
but,
as
I
did
not
wish
that
they
should
be,
they
were
not;
for,
by
their
conversation,
I
discovered
that
baptism
was
not
lawful
for
them,
they
were
heretics;
and
since
then
it
appears
they
have
returned
to
their
old
ways,
and
are
more
wicked
than
they
were
formerly.
That
people
understand
the
greater
part
of
our
strategy,
and
are
archers
and
men
of
strength.
No
one
knows
that
country
so
well
as
I
know
it,
who
write
this;
for
I
was
a
captive
among
its
inhabitants,
from
a
child
the
age
of
thirteen
years
until
I
was
thirty
years
old.
I
speak
four
languages,
but
not
the
language
of
Ais
and
Jeaga,
which
is
a
country
I
never
traveled
into.
I
wish
only
to
say
this
more
of
Carlos,
it
is
a
large
country,
is
rich
in
pearls,
and
possesses
little
gold,
because
it
is
far
from
the
mines
of
Onagatano,
which
are
distant
on
the
snowy
mountains
of
Onagatano,
who
is
the
farthest
vassal
of
Abalachi
and
Olagatano,
and
is
far
from
Olagale,
Mogoso,
and
the
people
of
Cafiegacola.
These
last,
the
Indians
say,
are
numerous,
and
are
great
warriors;
they
go
naked,
although
some
of
them
are
clothed
in
skins;
and
they
are
great
painters,
and
whatever
they
see,
they
paint.
They
are
called
Canogacola,
which
means
a
people
without
respect,
skillful
with
the
bow.
But
the
good
arms
of
the
Spaniards
will
overcome
them
-
good
crossbows,
firelocks,
and
shields,
swords
broad
and
sharp,
good
horses
and
escopetas
[shotguns],
with
one
or
two
persons
who
understand
their
ways,
the
interpreters
being
true
and
trustworthy,
not
like
the
Biscayan,
who
would
have
betrayed
Pedro
Melendez
to
the
Indians
had
it
not
been
for
me
and
a
mulatto,
who
discovered
the
treason,
otherwise
every
one
must
have
been
slain,
and
I
among
the
rest.
Pedro
Melendez
would
not
then
have
died
in
Santander,
but
in
Florida,
in
the
province
of
Carlos.
There
is
no
river
nor
bay
there
that
can
be
hidden
from
me;
and
had
I
received
the
consideration
I
merit,
the
Indians
at
this
day
would
be
the
vassals
of
our
powerful
king
Don
Felipe,
whom
God
preserve
many
years!
I
have
already
said
that
the
cacique
is
lord
of
the
River
of
Canes,
where
the
pearls
and
lands
of
lapis
lazuli
are,
and
that
the
gold
is
afar
off
in
the
last
dependency
and
town
of
Olagale.
One
Don
Pedro
Vizcaino,
whom
His
Majesty
made
Keeper
of
the
Swans,
was
a
captive
in
this
province.
If
he
on
whom
this
gift
was
graciously
conferred
had
been
more
of
a
man,
the
Indians
of
Ais,
Guacata,
Jeaga,
and
their
vassals,
would
already
have
been
subjugated,
and
even
many
of
them
made
Christians;
but
he
was
a
man
of
little
intelligence
and
capacity,
so
there
is
nothing
more
to
be
said.
He
understands
well
the
language
of
Ais,
and
the
languages
of
the
other
places
mentioned,
which
are
spoken
as
far
as
Mayaca
and
Mayajuaca,
places
toward
the
north;
but
I
think
that
because
of
the
order
of
Pedro
Melendez
to
hang
him,
in
consequence
of
a
falsehood
that
he
raised
against
Domingo
Ruiz,
his
companion,
he
was
frightened,
and
came
to
Spain
with
the
news
about
Florida,
and
would
not
go
back
again.
If
he
did
go
back,
it
must
have
been
to
bring
with
him
a
son
he
had
among
the
Indians,
as
he
brought
him
here
and
never
went
there
more.
And
because
of
the
unjust
treatment
to
the
interpreters,
he
desired
not
to
go
back,
as
others
of
us
have
not,
remaining
as
we
are
without
pay
to
this
time;
for,
as
we
came
destitute,
it
gave
us
little
wish
of
returning
to
Florida
to
serve
without
any
recompense.
The
King
of
Ais
and
the
King
of
Jeaga
are
poor
Indians,
as
respects
the
land;
for
there
are
no
mines
of
silver
or
of
gold
where
they
are;
and,
in
short,
they
are
rich
only
by
the
sea,
from
the
many
vessels
that
have
been
lost
well
laden
with
these
metals,
as
was
the
case
with
the
transport
in
which
Farfan
and
the
mulatto
owner
were;
with
the
vessel
of
the
Vizcaino,
in
which
came
Anton
Granado,
who
was
a
passenger,
and
was
captured;
and
with
the
vessel
of
which
Juan
Christoval
was
master
and
captain,
lost
in
the
year
'51,
when
the
Indians
murdered
Don
Martin
de
Guzman,
the
Captain
Hernando
de
Andino,
Procurador
of
the
Province
of
Popayan,
and
Juan
Ortiz
de
Zarate,
Distributor
of
Santa
Martha;
and
there
came
in
her
also
two
sons
of
Alonzo
de
Mena,
with
an
uncle,
all
of
them
rich.
He
that
brought
least
was
I,
but
with
all
I
brought
twenty-five
thousand
dollars
in
pure
gold;
for
my
father
and
mother
remained
in
Carthagena,
where
they
were
comenderos,
and
served
His
Majesty
in
those
parts
of
Peru,
and
afterwards
in
the
city
of
Carthagena,
where
they
settled,
and
I
and
a
brother
were
born.
Thence
they
sent
us
to
Spain
to
be
educated;
when
we
were
wrecked
on
Florida,
as
I
have
stated.
Other
vessels
have
been
lost,
among
them
the
armada
of
New
Spain,
of
which
it
was
said
the
son
of
Pedro
Melendez
was
General
for
the
Indians
took
a
Spaniard
that
reached
the
shore
whom
they
found
starving.
And
I
saw
him
alive
and
talked
with
him
and
one
Juan
Rodriguez,
a
native
of
Nicaragua.
He
told
us
that
they
came
from
New
Spain,
and
were
going
to
Castile;
that
the
General
was
a
son
of
Pedro
Melendez,
the
Asturian;
that
he
came
as
a
sailor
in
another
vessel;
and
that
the
people
of
neither
knew
any
thing
of
what
had
befallen
the
other,
until
the
Indians
armed
themselves
to
go
to
the
coast
of
Ais,
when
he
saw
them
go
and
return
with
great
wealth,
in
bars
of
silver
and
gold,
and
bags
of
reals,
and
much
clothing.
As
he
was
newly
captured,
or
found,
and
understood
not
the
Indians,
I
and
Juan
Rodriguez
were
the
interpreters
for
this
man,
and
others,
as
we
already
knew
the
language.
It
was
a
consolation,
though
a
sad
one,
for
those
who
were
lost
after
us
to
find
on
shore
Christian
companions
who
could
share
their
hardships
and
help
them
to
understand
those
brutes.
Many
Spaniards
have
saved
their
lives
by
finding
themselves
with
Christian
companions
already
there.
For
the
natives
who
took
them
would
order
them
to
dance
and
sing;
and
as
they
did
not
understand,
and
the
Indians
themselves
are
very
mean,
(for
the
most
so
of
any
are
the
people
of
Florida,)
they
thought
the
Christians
were
rebellious,
and
unwilling
to
do
so.
And
so
they
would
kill
them,
and
report
to
their
cacique
that
for
their
meanness
and
rebelliousness
they
had
been
slain,
because
they
would
not
do
as
they
were
told;
which
was
the
answer,
as
I
have
said,
made
to
the
cacique
when
he
would
ask
why
they
had
killed
them.
One
day,
I,
a
negro,
and
two
others,
Spaniards
recently
made
captives,
being
present,
the
cacique,
in
conversation
with
his
vassals
and
the
great
chiefs
of
his
train
about
what
I
have
just
mentioned,
asked
me,
I
being
mas
ladino
(better
acquainted
with
the
language
than
any
one),
saying:
'Escalante,
tell
us
the
truth,
for
you
well
know
that
I
like
you
much:
When
we
tell
these,
your
companions,
to
dance
and
sing,
and
do
other
things,
why
are
they
so
mean
and
rebellious
that
they
will
not?
or
is
it
that
they
do
not
fear
death,
or
will
not
yield
to
a
people
unlike
them
in
their
religion-
Answer
me;
and
if
you
do
not
know
the
reason,
ask
it
of
those
newly
seized,
who
for
their
own
fault
are
captives
now,
a
people
whom
once
we
held
to
be
gods
come
down
from
the
sky.'
And
I,
answering
my
lord
and
master,
told
him
the
truth:
'My
Lord,
as
I
understand
it,
they
are
not
contrary,
nor
is
it
for
any
evil
reason,
but
it
is
because
they
cannot
understand
you,
which
they
earnestly
strive
to
do.'
He
said
it
was
not
true;
that
often
he
would
command
them
to
do
things,
and
sometimes
they
would
obey
him,
and
at
others
they
would
not,
however
much
they
might
be
told.
I
said
to
him:
'Even
so,
my
lord,
they
do
not
intentionally
behave
amiss,
nor
for
perversity,
but
from
not
understanding.
Speak
to
them,
that
I
may
be
a
witness,
and
likewise
this
your
free
negro.'
And
the
cacique,
laughingly,
said:
'Se-le-tie-ga,'
to
the
new
comers;
and
they
asked
what
it
was
he
said
to
them.
The
negro,
who
was
near
to
them,
laughed,
and
said
to
the
cacique:
'Master,
I
will
tell
you
the
truth;
they
have
not
understood,
and
they
ask
Escalante
what
it
is
you
say,
and
he
does
not
wish
to
tell
them
until
you
command
him.'
Then
the
cacique
believed
the
truth,
and
said
to
me:
'Declare
it
to
them,
Escalante;
for
now
do
I
really
believe
you.'
I
made
known
to
them
the
meaning
of
Se-le-tega,
which
is,
'Run
to
the
look
out,
see
if
there
be
any
people
coming;'
they
of
Florida
abbreviate
their
words
more
than
we.
The
cacique,
discovering
the
truth,
said
to
his
vassals,
that
when
they
should
find
Christians
thus
cast
away,
and
seize
them,
they
must
require
them
to
do
nothing
without
giving
notice,
that
one
might
go
to
them
who
should
understand
their
language.
And
so
it
happened,
that
the
man
just
spoken
of,
who
was
called
Pijiguini,
was
the
first
found
after
that.
In
our
tongue
his
name
was
Martinez,
a
sailor,
as
before
stated,
who
came
from
Mexico
in
the
flota
that
was
lost.
Leaving
this
matter
aside,
I
desire
to
speak
of
the
riches
found
by
the
Indians
of
Ais,
which
perhaps
were
as
much
as
a
million
dollars,
or
over,
in
bars
of
silver,
in
gold,
and
in
articles
of
jewelry
made
by
the
hands
of
Mexican
Indians,
which
the
passengers
were
bringing
with
them.
These
things
Carlos
divided
with
the
caciques
of
Ais,
Jeaga,
Guacata,
Mayajuaco,
and
Mayaca,
and
he
took
what
pleased
him,
or
the
best
part.
These
vessels,
and
the
wreck
of
the
others
mentioned,
and
of
caravels,
with
the
substance
of
the
Indians
of
Cuba
and
Honduras
who
were
lost
while
in
search
of
the
River
Jordan,
and
who
came
well
off,
were
taken
by
Carlos,
and
by
the
chiefs
of
Ais
and
Jeaga.
The
Indians
of
the
Islands
of
Guaragunbe
are
rich;
but,
in
the
way
that
I
have
stated,
from
the
sea,
not
from
the
land.
From
Tocobaga
to
Santa
Elena,
which
may
comprise
a
shore
of
six
hundred
leagues,
there
is
neither
gold
nor
silver
native
to
the
country,
and
only
that
of
which
I
have
spoken
as
coming
by
the
sea.
The
land
is
abundant
in
pasturage;
but
I
do
not
want
to
say
for
certain
whether
there
is
any
fit
for
settlement
or
not,
since
the
Indians
can
live
on
it;
nor
yet
for
the
planting
of
sugar-cane,
as
I
do
not
know
it
positively,
although
some
stalks
were
set
out
which
grew;
but
as
I
was
not
afterwards
present,
I
did
not
see
the
result.
In
all
these
provinces
which
I
have
named,
from
Tocobaga-chile
to
Santa
Elena,
the
people
are
great
anglers,
and
at
no
time
lack
fresh
fish.
They
are
great
bowmen,
and
very
faithless.
I
hold
it
certain
they
never
will
be
at
peace,
and
less
will
they
become
Christians.
I
will
sign
this
assertion
with
my
name
as
a
very
sure
thing,
for
I
know
what
I
say.
If
my
counsel
be
not
heeded,
there
will
be
trouble,
and
matters
be
worse
than
they
were
beforetime.
Let
the
Indians
be
taken
in
hand
gently,
inviting
them
to
peace;
then
putting
them
under
deck,
husbands
and
wives
together,
sell
them
among
the
Islands,
and
even
upon
Terra
Firma
for
money,
as
some
old
nobles
of
Spain
buy
vassals
of
the
king.
In
this
way,
there
could
be
management
of
them,
and
their
number
become
diminished.
This
I
say
would
be
proper
policy;
and
the
Spaniards
might
then
make
some
stock
farms
for
the
breeding
of
cattle,
and
be
there
to
safeguard
the
many
vessels
that
are
wrecked
all
the
way
along
from
Carlos
to
the
Province
of
Sotoriva,
in
which
is
the
port
of
San
Agustin,
and
river
of
San
Mateo.
There
the
Lutherans
of
France
had
made
a
fort,
and
found
a
nook
whence
to
plunder
as
many
ships
as
should
come
from
Terra
Firma,
whether
from
Mexico,
or
Peru,
or
from
other
parts;
which
they
did,
and
retired
to
that
river
of
San
Mateo,
where
resides
the
perfidious
cacique
of
Sotoriba,
Alimacani,
and
of
other
places,
his
dependencies.
Midway
up
the
river
San
Mateo,
sixty
leagues
inland,
is
another
cacique,
having
an
independent
sovereignty,
and
being
Lord
of
his
land,
whose
name
is
Utina;
and
Saravai,
and
Moloa,
and
many
others
are
his
vassals,
until
coming
to
Mayaguaca,
in
the
land
of
Ais,
which
lies
towards
Cafiaberal,
so
called
by
our
pilots
who
sail
thither.
With
these
two
caciques
Pedro
Melendez
made
treaties
of
friendship.
They
have
no
gold,
silver,
or
pearls;
their
people
are
poor,
very
treacherous
and
wicked,
and
great
archers.
They
go
naked,
like
the
rest
of
whom
I
have
spoken
before.
By
way
of
this
River
San
Mateo,
one
may
go
to
Tocobaga,
on
the
other
side
of
Florida,
to
the
west;
I
do
not
mean
all
the
way
by
the
river,
but
in
this
manner:
Enter
over
the
bar
of
the
San
Mateo,
and
arrive
at
Zaravay,
which
is
fifty
or
sixty
leagues
in
the
interior
up
the
river,
or
at
the
Province
of
Utina,
and
there
disembark,
keeping
a
westerly
course
from
town
to
town,
until
coming
upon
the
people
of
Cafiogacola,
subjects
of
Tocobaga;
and
thence
upon
the
country
of
Tocobaga
itself,
which
lies
within
on
another
large
river,
where
Soto
was,
and
where
he
died
.
With
this
I
will
end,
and
say
no
more;
for,
if
the
conquest
of
that
country
were
about
to
be
undertaken,
I
would
give
no
further
account
of
it
than
I
have
rendered.
Its
subjugation
is
befitting
His
Majesty,
for
the
security
of
his
armadas
that
go
to
Peru,
New
Spain,
and
other
parts
of
the
Indies,
which
pass,
of
necessity,
along
that
shore
and
channel
of
the
Bahama,
where
many
vessels
are
wrecked,
and
many
persons
die;
for
the
Indians
are
powerful
archers,
and
oppose
them:
and
because
of
this,
I
say,
it
is
well
to
have
a
small
fort
for
the
protection
of
that
channel,
with
some
income
for
its
repair,
and
the
maintenance
of
soldiers
as
a
garrison
in
it,
which
income
might
be
drawn
from
Mexico,
Peru,
the
Island
of
Cuba,
and
all
the
rest
of
the
Indies.
Thus
much
should
be
done;
and
another
thing
also
to
go
in
search
of
pearls,
for
there
is
no
other
wealth
in
that
country.
So,
I
conclude,
and
as
this
account
may
become
important;
I
sign
it.
HERNANDO
D'ESCALANTE
FONTANEDA"
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