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. However, not wishing to ex-tend 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 a distance of 15 leagues. The river 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 30 or 40 inhabitants each. As many more places there are in which people are not so numerous.

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 Yeago at the end of the Lucayo Islands give account --- to see the river and land of Santa Elena (Beaufort, South Carolina). Seven leagues to the north of these is a town which, instead of pronouncing it Orizta, they who went there called it Chicora. As to the other town, for Guale they said Gualdape.

The Spaniards saw no more towns for they explored no farther. They 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 60 leagues inland towards the north there are mines of gold and copper.

A t the mouth of a river, and by lakes, are the towns of Otapali, Olagatano and many others. The inhabitants are neither Chichimecas nor the people of the Jordan. The king is called mayor y gran 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 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 so close his life, which is the most probable supposition. If not for these objects, then that he might become young from bathing in such a stream.

This thought was of it self proof that all must have been fiction which was told by the Indians of Cuba and its whole neighborhood. They, 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. 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, also took information of and sought after as though they had been a more polite people. They wished to see what river there 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. 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 to venture their lives on the 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 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 re-sounds the fame of its abundance of pearls. It is certain that they do exist. Between Abalachi and Olagale is a river the Indians call Guasaca-esqui, 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,