told, came to the close of their journey. This, however, was not to be the end of their difficulties. Rather, it was to mark the beginning of greater and more lengthy ones, as we shall see later.

They had passed 11 days on the road, one of which had been spent in crossing the river Ocali, and another in crossing the great swamp. In only nine days, therefore, they had traveled 150 leagues, which is a few more than there are between Apalache and the Bay of Holy Spirit with its neighboring settlement of Hirrihigua.

The captains Anasco and Calderon embraced each other in great joy and immediately made plans to abandon the landing camp and rejoin Soto at the winter camp.

Anasco was ordered to lead the two brigantines loaded with supplies to the Bay of Aute (St. Marks). Calderon was to carry what he could by foot and horse and give the rest -- a great quantity of stores -- to the good chief Mucozo. The caravel was ordered back to Havana to report to Dona Isabel and start gathering new supplies for a rendezvous the following October.

Calderon engaged in one light skirmish at the great swamp as he began his advance to Apalache, but thereafter found the country deserted. He came eventually to the swamp of Apalache "after having traveled almost 135 leagues with all the peace and quiet in the world."

At this treacherous passage, the Apalache Indians made a fierce defense.

It took the Spaniards a full day to fight their way through the half-league of swamp. The following day Calderon and his men again fought their way through the two leagues of dense forest bordering the swamp. They then advanced five leagues on the plain before halting to rest and care for their wounded.

On the last day of the journey, Calderon had to fight one more battle while passing through the narrow ravine that had slowed Soto. The overland party struggled into winter camp at sunset, carrying those too wounded to walk. Later, ten or 12 soldiers died of their wounds.

Anasco arrived at the Bay of Aute in the brigantines just six days ahead of Calderon.

CLUES FROM THE CAVALIERS' DASH

1. The return route from Apalache to Bay of the Holy Spirit is given as "150 leagues" and "almost 150 leagues." a tally of daily marches adds up to 143 leagues. Either distance would place Espiritu Santo far south of Carlos Bay, even allowing for a wide swing inland.
2. The "great swamp," nearest major land-mark to Soto's landing place, is 39 leagues north.
3. Mucozo's province borders on the Gulf for his subjects obtain salt-water skates which they carry well inland.
4. A "small lagoon" is located a half league north of Hirrihigua village.