Anasco did not find any such messages. The search completed, he continued along the bay until he reached the sea three leagues distant.

Anasco then tested the depth of the bay in the middle of its channel and found it capable of receiving "heavy vessels." He placed "signs in the tallest trees of the vicinity so that anyone who might be sailing along the coast would be able to recognize the spot."

In Garcilasco's account of the search for the sea we find an example of the confusion that arises from his second-hand information. When the distance from camp to sea is added up -- six leagues a day for two days to Aute, plus two leagues to the bay, plus three leagues to the sea -- we get a total of 17 leagues. This would place Iniahica well up into present day Georgia, outside the historic Apalache province.

In the first-hand accounts, Ranjel says the sea was eight leagues distant from the winter camp, Elvas also says eight, and Biedma gives the distance as nine leagues.

It is possible that when the early chroniclers spoke of the sea they referred to any body of salt water, whereas Garcilaso clearly distinguishes between bay and sea. It is likely that Garcilaso's notes should have read six leagues in two days. This would place the bay eight leagues away, in close agreement with the eyewitnesses.

In any event, the four chronicles taken together place Iviahica near Tallahassee, and Aute near the old Spanish fort and mission of San Marco de Apalache at St. Marks.

PRINCIPAL CLUES FROM GARCILASO

1. Soto had detailed knowledge of two or more ports where he might land, the final one being a "good, deep bay."
2. Some men first went ashore to get grass for the horses and brought back green grapes also.
3. After anchoring, the men spent the day walking along the beach. That night they slept ashore where Indians attacked them .
4. Men and animals were put ashore and then marched "a little more than two leagues" to the town of Hirrihigua "near the sea and closest to the bay."
5. Chief Mucozo's village lay along a well marked path that led two leagues to a bridge and stream and then six more leagues to his town. The path was close enough to the "sea", or bay, that when a scouting party was misled in an "arc" their ships' top-sails were seen through the trees.
6. Hirrihigua was a friend of the area's principal chief, Urribarracuxi, who also was a brother-in-law of Mucozo.
7. Urribarracuxi's province lay along a "highway" 16 or 17 leagues beyond Mucozo's village and 25 leagues from Soto's camp.
8. From the Bay of the Holy Spirit to the village of Urribarracuxi the Spaniards traveled "always to the northeast."
9. A great swamp, comprised of an overflowed stream, lay two days beyond Urribarracuxi's village. The stream had been crossed by Narvaez at another place, and Soto's route ran along the waterway for 12 leagues.