The town was of seven or eight houses, built of timber and covered with palm leaves. The chief's house stood near the beach upon a very high mount made by hand for defence. At the other end of the town was A temple on the top of which perched a wooden fowl with gilded eyes. Within were found some pearls of small value, injured by fire, such as the Indians pierce for beads, much esteeming them, and string to wear about the neck and wrists.

The Governor lodged in the house of the chief, and with him Vasco Porcallo and Luis de Moscoso. In other houses, midway in the town, was lodged the Chief Castellan, Baltasar de Gallegos, where were set apart the provisions brought in the vessels. The rest of the dwellings, with the temple, were thrown down. Every mess of three or four soldiers made a cabin wherein they lodged.

The ground about was very fenny and en-cumbered with dense thicket and high trees. The Governor ordered the woods to be felled the distance of a crosbow-shot around the place. This so that the horses might run, and the Christians have the advantage should the Indians make an attack at night. In the paths, and at proper points, sentinels of foot soldiers were set in couples, who watched by turns. Horsemen going the rounds were ready to support them should there be an alarm.

The Governor made four captains of horsemen and two of footmen. Those of the horse were Andre de Vasconcelos, Pedro Calderon of Badajoz, and the two Cardenosas his kinsmen Arias Tinoco and Alfonso Romo, also native of Badajoz. Those of the foot were Francisco Maldonado of Salamanca, and Juan Rodriguez Lobillo.

While we were in this town of Ucita the Indians which Juan de Anasco had taken on that coast, and who were with the Governor as guides and interpreters, got away one night through the carelessness of two men who had charge of them. For this the Governor felt very sorry. So did every one else for some excursions had already been made and no Indians could be taken, the country being of very high and thick woods and in many places was marshy.

From the port of Espiritu Santo, where the Governor was, he sent the Chief Castellan with 50 cavalry and 30 or 40 infantry to the province of Paracoxi to observe the character of the country. They were to inquire of that farther on and to let Soto hear by message of what he should discover. He also sent the vessels to Cuba so

that at an appointed time they might return with provisions.

As the principal object of Vasco Porcallo in coming to Florida had been to get slaves for his plantation and mines -- finding after some incursions that no seizures could be made because of dense forest and extensive bogs -- he determined to go back to Cuba. In consequence of that resolution there grew up such a difference between him and Soto that neither treated nor spoke to the other kindly. Still, with words of courtesy, Porcallo asked permission of him to return and took his leave.

Baltasar de Gallegos having arrived at Paracoxi, 30 Indians came to him on the part of the absent cacique. One of them said, "King Paracoxi, lord of this province, whose vassals we are, sends us to ask of you what it is you seek in his country and what way he can serve you. " To this the Chief Castellan replied that he much thanked the cacique for his proffer. He bade them to tell the cacique to return to the town where they would talk together of a peace and friendship he greatly desired to establish.

They went off and came again the next day, reporting that as their lord could not appear, being very unwell, they had come in his stead to see what might be wanted. They were asked if they had knowledge or information of any country where gold and silver might be found in plenty. To this they answered yes. Towards the sunset was a province called Cale, the inhabitants of which were at war with those of territories where the greater portion of the year was summer. There there was so much gold that when people came to make war upon those of Cale they wore golden helmets.

As the cacique had not come, Gallegos, reflecting, suspected the message designed for delay that the chief might put himself in a condition of safety. Fearing that if those men were suffered to depart they might never return, Gallegos ordered them to be chained together. He sent the news to camp by eight men on horseback.

The Governor, hearing what had passed, showed great pleasure, as did the rest who were with him, believing what the Indians said might be true. He left 30 cavalry and 70 infantry at the port, with provisions for two years, under command of Captain Calderon, marching with the others inland to Paracoxi.

Thence, having united with the force already there, the Governor passed through a small town