habitants whereof had much maize, beans and pumpkins. Also, being near the sea, they had fish. Those people were their friends.

In view of the poverty of the land, the unfavorable accounts of the population, the Indians making continual war upon us, wounding our people and horses at the places where they went to drink, shooting from the lakes with such safety that we could not retaliate, killing a lord of Tescuco (Mexican Aztec) whom the Commissary brought with him, we determined to leave that place. We went in quest of the sea and the town of Aute of which we were told.

We departed at the termination of the 25 days after our arrival. On the first day we got through those lakes and passages without seeing any one. On the second day we came to a lake difficult of crossing, the water reaching to the paps, and in it were numerous logs. On reaching the middle of it we were attacked by many Indians from behind trees. They covered themselves thusly that we might not get sight of them, and others were on the fallen timbers.

The Indians drove their arrows with such effect that they wounded many men and horses. Before we got through the lake they took our guide. They now followed, endeavoring to contest the passage. Our coming out afforded no relief, nor gave us any better position. When we wished to fight they retired immediately into the lake whence they continued to wound our men and beasts.

The Governor, seeing this, commanded the cavalry to dismount and charge the Indians on foot. Accordingly the Comptroller, alighting with the rest, attacked them. With this they all turned and ran into the lake at hand, and thus the passage was gained.

Some of our men were wounded in this conflict, for whom the good armor they wore did not avail. There were those this day who swore that they had seen two red oaks, each the thickness of the lower part of the leg, pierced through from side to side by arrows. This is not so much to be wondered at, considering the power and skill with which the Indians are able to project them. I myself saw an arrow that had entered the butt of an elm to the depth of a span.

The Indians we had so far seen in Florida are all archers. They go naked, are large of body, and appear at a distance like giants. They are of admirable proportions, very spare and of great activity and strength. The bows they use are as thick as

the arm, of 11 or 12 palms in length, which they will discharge at 200 paces with so great precision that they miss nothing.

Having got through this passage, at the end of a league we arrived at another of the same character, but worse, as it was longer, being half a league in extent. This we crossed freely, without interruption from the Indians, who, as they had spent on the former occasion their store of arrows, had nought with which they dared venture to engage us.

Going through a similar passage the next day, I discovered the trail of persons ahead. I gave notice to the Governor, who was in the rear-guard, so that though the Indians came upon us, as we were prepared they did no harm. After emerging upon the plain they followed us, and we went back on them in two directions. Two we killed, and they wounded me and two or three others. Coming to woods we could do them no more injury, nor make them further trouble.

In this manner we traveled eight days. After that occurrence we were not again beset until within a league of the place which I have said we were going. There, while on our way, the Indians came about us without our suspicion, and fell upon the rear-guard. A hidalgo named Avellaneda, hearing the cries of his serving boy, went back to give assistance, when he was struck by an arrow near the edge of his cuirass. So severe was the wound, the shaft having passed almost entirely through his neck, that he presently died.

The corpse was carried to Aute, where we arrived at the end of nine days travel from Apalache. We found all the inhabitants gone and the houses burned. Maize, beans, and pumpkins were in great plenty, all beginning to be fit for gathering.

Having rested two days, the Governor begged me to go and look for the sea, as the Indians said it was near. We had before discovered it, while on the way, from a very large stream, to which we had given the name of River of the Magdalena.

Accordingly, I set out the next day after, in company with the Commissary, Captain Castillo, Andres Dorantes, seven more on horseback, and 50 on foot. We traveled until the hour of vespers, when we arrived at a road or entrance of the sea. Oysters were abundant, over which the men rejoiced, and we gave thanks to God that he had brought us there.

The following morning I sent 20 men to explore the coast and ascertain its direction. They