named Acela. He then came to another called Tocaste whence he advanced with 50 of foot and 30 horses towards Cale. Having gone through an untenanted town, some natives were seen in a lake to whom having spoken by in interpreter, they came out and gave him a guide.

From there he went to a river of powerful current, in the midst of which was a tree, whereon they made a bridge. Over this the people passed in safety, the horses being crossed swimming to a hawser, by which they were drawn to the other bank. The first that entered the water were drowned for the want of one.

The Governor sent two horsemen with word to those in the rear that they should advance rapidly, for the way was becoming toilsome and provisions were short. He came to Cale and found the town abandoned, but he seized three spies.

He tarried there until the main camp arrived, they traveling hungry and on bad roads, the country being very thin of maize, low, very wet, pondy and thickly covered with trees. Where there were inhabitants some water-cresses could be found. They who arrived first would gather these and, cooking them in water with salt, ate them without other thing. They who could get none would seize the stalks of maize and eat them, the ear being young as yet containing no grain.

Having come to the river which the Governor had passed, they got cabbage from the low palmetto growing there like that of Andaluzia. There they were met by the messengers who, reporting a great deal of maize in Cale, gave much satisfaction.

While the people should be coming up, the Governor ordered all the ripe grain in the fields, enough for three months, to be secured. In gathering it, three Christians were slain.

One of the two Indians who were made prisoners stated that seven days' journey distant was a large province, abounding in maize, called Apalache. Presently Soto set out from Cale with 50 cavalry and 60 infantry, leaving Field Marshal Luis de Moscoso in command, with directions not to move until he should be ordered.

Up to that time no one had been able to get servants who should make his bread -- the method being to beat out the maize in log mortars with a one-handed pestle of wood. Some also sifted the flour afterward through their shirts of mail. The process was found so laborious that many, rather than crush the grain, preferred to eat it parched

and sodden. The mass was baked in clay dishes set over fire, in the manner that I have described as done in Cuba.

On the 11th day of August, in the year 1539, the Governor left Cale and arrived to sleep at a small town called Ytara. And the next day at another called Potano. And the third at Utinama. And then at another named Malapaz.

This place (Malapaz, "Bad Peace') was so called by the Spaniards because an Indian representing himself to be its cacique came peacefully, saying that he wished to serve the Governor with his people. He asked that the Governor would cause the 28 men and women taken prisoners the night before to be set at liberty. Then provisions would be brought and guides furnished for the country in advance of us. Upon this the Governor ordered the prisoners to be let loose and the Indian put under guard.

The next morning many natives came close to a scrub surrounding the town. The prisoner asked to be taken there so he might speak and satisfy them, as they would obey in whatever he commanded. But no sooner had he found himself close to them than he boldly started away. He flew so swiftly that no one could overtake him, going off with the rest into the woods. The Governor ordered a bloodhound already fleshed upon him to be let loose. The dog, passing by many, seized upon the faithless cacique and held him until the Christians had come up.

From this town the people went to sleep at the one of Cholupaha which, for its abundance of maize, received the name of Villafarta (granary). Thence, crossing a river before it by a bridge they had made of wood, the Christians marched two days through an uninhabited country.

On the 17th day of August they arrived at Caliquen. There they heard of the province of Apalache, of Narvaez having been there and em-barked because no road was to be found over which to go forward, and of there being no other town, and that water was on all sides.

Every mind was depressed at this information. All counseled the Governor to go back to the port, that they might not be lost as Narvaez had been, and to leave the land of Florida. Should they go farther they might not be able to get back inasmuch as the little maize that was yet left (in the fields) the Indians would secure. To which Soto replied that he would never return until he had seen with his own eyes what was asserted, things that to him appeared incredible.