Spanish Explorers in the Southern United States, 1528-1543

Although, in the narrative of the Gentleman of Elvas, the translation by Buckingham Smith has been followed, some corrections have been made in the text, and pains have been taken to set right, in accordance with the Portuguese original at the Lenox Library, the native proper names, on whose interpretation in the Indian languages the identification of localities in many cases depends. If variations from page to page in the spelling of some such names are observed by the reader, they may be assumed to exist in the original.

The three narratives printed in this book are but a small selection from among many scores; for the narratives of Spanish explorers in the southern United States constitute an extensive literature. But if interest and historical importance are both taken into account, it is believed that these three hold an undisputed preëminence among such "relations."

J. F. J.

CONTENTS

THE NARRATIVE OF ALVAR NUÑEZ CABEÇA DE VACA

EDITED BY FREDERICK W. HODGE

PAGE

THE NARRATIVE OF ALVAR NUÑEZ CABEÇA DE VACA 1

INTRODUCTION 3

Proem 12

Chapter 1. In which is told when the Armada sailed, and of the Officers and Persons who went in it 14

Chapter 2. The Coming of the Governor to the Port of Xagua and with a Pilot 18

Chapter 3. Our Arrival in Florida 19

Chapter 4. Our Entrance into the Country 20

Chapter 5. The Governor leaves the Ships 24

Chapter 6. Our Arrival at Apalache 28

Chapter 7. The Character of the Country 29

Chapter 8. We go from Aute 33

Chapter 9. We leave the Bay of Horses 37

Chapter 10. The Assault from the Indians 40

Chapter 11. Of what befell Lope de Oviedo with the Indians 44

Chapter 12. The Indians bring us Food 45

Chapter 13. We hear of other Christians 48

Chapter 14. The Departure of four Christians 49

Chapter 15. What befell us among the People of Malhado 52

Chapter 16. The Christians leave the Island of Malhado 55

Chapter 17. The Coming of Indians with André's Dorantes, Castillo, and Estevanico 59

Chapter 18. The Story Figueroa recounted from Esquivel 63

Extract from the Letter of the Survivors 68

Chapter 19. Our Separation by the Indians 70

Chapter 20. Of our Escape 72

Chapter 21. Our Cure of some of the Afflicted 74

Chapter 22. The Coming of other Sick to us the next Day 76

Chapter 23. Of our Departure after having eaten the Dogs 82

Chapter 24. Customs of the Indians of that Country 83

Chapter 25. Vigilance of the Indians in War 85

Chapter 26. Of the Nations and Tongues 86

Chapter 27. We moved away and were well received 88

Chapter 28. Of another strange Custom 91

Chapter 29. The Indians plunder each other 94

Chapter 30. The Fashion of receiving us changes 99

Chapter 31. Of our taking the Way to the Maize 105

Chapter 32. The Indians give us the Hearts of Deer 108

Chapter 33. We see Traces of Christians 112

Chapter 34. Of sending for the Christians 113

Chapter 35. The Chief Alcalde receives us kindly the Night we arrive 116

Chapter 36. Of building Churches in that Land 119

Chapter 37. Of what occurred when I wished to return 121

Chapter 38. Of what became of the Others who went to Indias 123

THE NARRATIVE OF THE EXPEDITION OF HERNANDO DE SOTO, BY THE GENTLEMAN OF ELVAS

EDITED BY THEODORE H. LEWIS

THE NARRATIVE OF THE EXPEDITION OF HERNANDO DE SOTO, BY THE GENTLEMAN OF ELVAS 127

INTRODUCTION 129

Epigram of Silveira 133

Prefatory Note by the Printer 134

Chapter 1. Who Soto was, and how he came to get the Government of Florida 135