FIRST PART
OF THE SECOND BOOK

HERNANDO de SOTO, having been nineteen days at sea, because he had not had favorable weather, did not discover Florida until the end of May, 1539, when he came to anchor in a very good bay, which is called Espiritu Santo. But as it was very late, they did not land; and the next day they sent the boats ashore. They returned with wild grapes which were still quite green, for the Indians, who esteem them but little, take no care to cultivate them, but nevertheless do not neglect to eat them when they are ripe. The general received the fruit with pleasure, because they were like the grapes of Spain, and because they had not found any either in Mexico or in Peru, so that, judging from this, of the excellence of the soil of Florida, he commanded three hundred men to go and take possession of it in the name of the emperor. They immediately landed, and after having marched all the day, they rested at night, because of the fatigue which they had undergone. In the morning the Indians charged them with vigor, put them to flight, and drove them is far as the sea.

Porcallo, in order to support them, sallied out at the head of some troops, and, at first, he would have cut the enemy into pieces but for the disorder of his soldiers, of whom some were wounded, because of their inexperience. Nevertheless he rallied their; and when he had encouraged them he charged upon the barbarians, whom he eagerly pursued. And after having chased them, he returned to the camp, where his horse immediately died from an arrow shot through his body. At the same time the general landed, and after recuperating nine clays, he left orders for the security of the vessels and marched about two leagues into the country, as far as the capital of Harriaga, which bears the name of the country and its lord; because in Florida, the provinces, the capital, and the cacique, ordinarily bear the same name.

When, therefore, the general had thus advanced, the cacique, who was in the capital of the province, irritated against the Spaniards because they had some time previous cut off his nose and caused the dogs to devour his mother, and moreover, alarmed at the arrival of so many people, abandoned the place and retired into the woods, whence they could not make him leave, however favorable the treatment they might lead him to expect; for, wholly enraged against those whom they had sent to oblige him to contract an alliance with the Christians, he said, that, very far from having communication with them, his honor would not permit him even to listen to them; that they were cowardly and perfidious, and that the greatest pleasure they could do him was to bring him their heads, and that he could never sufficiently acknowledge so great a favor. Such great powers have outrages to excite hatred in the hearts of those whom they have injured.

This artifice succeeded, and as many Spaniards entered the boat where were the Indians who had brought the hostages. The Cacique, who perceived them, sorry to see so few of them, wished to demand a greater number, but he changed his mind for fear lest those who were coming should discover his design and escape from him. When they had embarked and the hostages knew that their enemies were in the power of their chief, they leaped into the water, according to the orders they had received, and escaped. In the mean time the Spaniards, seeing that they had unfortunately sacrificed their companions, weighed anchor, for fear of some other misfortunes, and fled with all sail.

CHAPTER II.

THE DEATH OF THREE SPANIARDS, AND THE TORTURES WHICH JUAN Ortiz SUFFERED.

HARRIAGA guarded with care his prisoners, in order to increase by their death the pleasures of a feast which he was to celebrate, in a few days, according to the custom of the country. The time of the ceremony arrived, he commanded that the Spaniards, entirely naked, should be produced, and that they should be compelled to run by turns from one extremity of the public place to the other; that at times arrows should be shot at them, in order that their death might be the slower, their pain the more exquisite, and the rejoicing more noted and of a longer duration. They immediately obeyed, and the cacique, who assisted at the spectacle, saw with pleasure three of the Spaniards run from one side to the ether, searching in vain to escape death. As for the fourth, who was named Juan Ortiz, as he was but about eighteen years of age and a handsome man, the wife and daughters of the cacique interested themselves in his favor. They said that his age was worthy of pity; that he had not taken part in the perfidy of the people of his nation; and, therefore, not having committed any crime worthy of death, it was only necessary to keep him as a slave. The cacique consented to it; but this favor only served to make Ortiz die a thousand deaths.

They forced him to carry, continually, wood and water. He ate and slept very little, and was tormented with so many blows that, had he not been restrained by the fear of God, he would have committed suicide. In addition to this, the barbarians increased his afflictions at the public rejoicings, and compelled him to run entirely naked in the great square, where they were with their bows ready to pierce him in case he should attempt to rest. He began to run at sunrise, and did not atop till night; and even during the dining of the cacique they would not suffer him to interrupt his course, so that at the end of day he was in a pitiable condition, extended upon the ground more dead than alive. The wife and daughters of Harriga, touched with compassion, then threw some clothes upon him, and assisted him so opportunely that they prevented him from dying. But their pity was cruel to him, for it served only to augment the barbarity of the cacique, who, enraged that Ortiz could endure so many divers hardships, ordered, on a day of entertainment, that they should kindle a fire in the middle of the public square; that they should put a griddle upon the fire; and that they should put his slave upon it, in order to burn him alive.

This order was promptly executed, and Ortiz remained extended upon this griddle until the ladies, attracted by his cries, ran to his assistance.

They besought the cacique not to push his vengeance further; they censured his cruelty, and took off the wretched Ortiz half burned, for the fire had already raised upon his body great blisters, of which some having broken covered him with blood. This drew the compassion of the greater part of the spectators. Afterward these merciful daughters had him carried to their house, where they treated him with herbs of which the Indians made use in their complaints, having neither surgeons nor physicians. Finally, at the end of some days, Ortiz was cured of his wounds, there remaining only the scars. The barbarian, rejoiced to see him in a condition to suffer again, in order to make his vengeance last longer, invented a new kind of punishment in order to fully satisfy himself, and to free himself from the importunities of his daughters. He, therefore, ordered him to guard, day and night, the dead bodies of the inhabitants of the village. These bodies were in the midst of a forest, in coffins of wood covered with boards which were not fastened, but retained only by the weight or some stones or of some pieces of wood which were placed upon them. But as the lions, which are in great numbers in the country, came sometimes to drag the bodies from these Collins and carry them off, the cacique commanded Ortiz, upon penalty of being burnt alive, to take care that they did not carry them oft'; and he gave him four darts to defend himself against all kinds of wild beasts.

This poor Spaniard received with joy this order, in hopes of leading a life a little more happy than before. He then went away into the forest, where he acquitted himself strictly of his commission, and especially at night, as he had then the most to fear. However, it happened that once, when he was oppressed by fatigue and had permitted himself to be overcome by sleep, a lion uncovered a coffin and drew from it an infant, which he carried off. The slave awoke at the falling of the planks, ran, approached the coffin, and, no longer finding the body there, believed that finally it was all over with him. Moved by fear and grief, he went to seek the lion, to die fighting him or to make him leave his prey. He knew that at the break of day the subjects of Hirrihigua would come to visit the coffins, and that, if they did not meet with the infant there, he would be cruelly burnt. So that fear making him run here and there, he found himself in a great road in the midst of the forest, and heard a noise as of a dog gnawing a bone. He listened, and in the belief that it was the lion, he crawled through the bushes, and by the light of the moon he saw hint de vouring his prey. He therefore took courage and launched one of his darts at him; and because he did not hear him fly, he believed that he had slain him, and remained until daylight to be certain of it, praying God, with tears, not to abandon him in his misfortune.

CHAPTER III.

ORTIZ ESCAPES.

As soon as light began to appear, Ortiz found the lion slain; and all transported with joy, he collected what remained of the infant, inclosed it in the coffin. took the lion by the paw, and, without drawing out the dart which pierced him, dragged him to Harriga. As it is an extraordinary thing to kill a lion in that country, where however, they are not, so fierce as in Africa, Ortiz was honored by all the town, and the cacique was entreated by his daughters to make use of so courageous a slave, and to suppress his resentment on account of so brave a deed. The barbarian on this occasion had a little of complacency, and during some clays he treated Ortiz with more humanity. But because the injuries which he had received always left some remains of hate, as often as he recalled the indignities the Spaniards had done him, he thought only of avenging himself on this nation in the person of Ortiz, and his anger, which seemed as it were extinguished, rekindled suddenly with more violence. So that, yielding to the desire for vengeance which possessed him, he declared to his wife and daughters that, since the sight of his slave recalled to mind the affronts which he had received, he would, at the first festival, have trim shot to death with arrows; and that, upon pain of incurring his indignation, they should no more importune him in his favor; that it was true that he had shown a little courage, but that it was not a sufficient consideration to prevail over his resentments. His wife and his daughters, who knew him, accommodated themselves to his humor, and expressed to him that it was acting right to make way with a man for whom he had so great an aversion and whose presence served only to renew his troubles.

Nevertheless, his eldest daughter, resolved to save Ortiz, informed him of all that had happened. But as at this news he appeared half dead, she told him not to despair; that she would extricate him from the danger, if he had sufficient resolution to escape; that the night following, at such an hour and at such a place, he would find an Indian in whom she confided; that this man would conduct him as far as a certain bridge, two leagues from the town; that, when he should arrive at this place, the Indian would return before it was day, so that the cacique might not know anything of it, and not be able to avenge himself for his flight upon any one. She added that, at six leagues beyond the bridge, he would meet with a village, the lord of which, called Mucoco, esteemed her, and even wished to marry her; that be should say to him that. she had sent him to place himself under his protection, being assured that, in consideration of her, he would be protected by Mucoco; that, besides, he should implore the succor of the God whom he adored, and that, for her part, she could do nothing more. Scarcely had she finished when Ortiz cast himself at her feet and rendered humble thanks to her for the kindness which she had for him. He prepared to escape the following eight; and, as soon as the people of Harriga were sound asleep, he went off to seek his guide, whom he found at the rendezvous, and left secretly with him. But as soon as they were at the bridge, Ortiz requested him to put him in the right road and to return home. Afterwards he thanked him, made him a thousand protestations of friendship, and went off in haste to Mucoco .

CHAPTER IV. GENEROSITY OF THE CACIQUE MUCOCO.

Ortiz arrived before day near the village of Mucoco. Nevertheless, for fear of accident, he dare not enter until the sun rose. Two Indians, who had discovered him, then left and put themselves in a posture to shoot at him. He also prepared to defend himself; for the honor of being the favorite of a beautiful and generous lady, giving him boldness, obliged him to say that he was sent on the part of a lady of rank to Mucoco. At the same time the Indians joined him, and they returned in company to inform their lord that a slave of Harriga brought him news. Mucoco, who left his house, advanced to learn what they wished with him. As soon as Ortiz saw him he approached him with respect, and said to him, that Harriga had resolved to put him to a cruel death at the first festival; that his daughters dared no more to speak in his favor; that the eldest had induced him to escape, and had given him a guide; that she had commanded him to present himself to him on her behalf; finally, that she prayed him by the love he had for her, to take him under his protection; and that she would be greatly obliged to him for it. After Mucoco had kindly listened to Ortiz, he pitied him, and embraced him, and told him that he should fear nothing; that upon his lands he should lead a life very different from that which he lead led; that in consideration of the beauty who had sent him he would protect him openly; and that so long as he lived no one should attempt to do him wrong. Mucoco kept his word with Ortiz, and treated him much better than he lead ever dared to expect. He desired that, night and day he should remain in his chamber. But he finished by overwhelming him with his favors when he learned that with one blow of a dart he had slain a lion. In the mean time Harriga learned that his slave was with Mucoco, and he sent a cacique, their common friend, to demand him. But Mucoco replied that Ortiz, having son.-lit an asylum in his house, he should never permit him to be torn from it; and that the loss of a man whom Harriga would have put to death ought not to be important to him. Upon this reply Harriga visited Mucoco, but very uselessly, for after soiree words of civility, Mucoco expressed to him that it was very unreasonable in him to wish to compel him to do a thing contrary to his honor; and that he would be the most cowardly of men if he abandoned a person who was under his protection. This reply embroiled the cacique with Mucoco, who would rather renounce his love than violate his faith, so that Ortiz remained with this lord, who continued to him his benevolence.

He lived with him up to the time when Soto entered Florida, and was, in all, ten years among the Indians; one year and a half with the cacique who tortured him, and the rest with him from whom he received every act of kindness. Mucoco, in fact, conducted himself well toward Ortiz, and his conduct covers with shame certain Christian princes, who basely betray those to whom they are under obligations to keep their word. But it is to be hoped that in the future the generosity of the cacique may influence them. His action sprang truly from a great soul. The more we consider the person for whom he did so many things, those whom he resisted, and the passion which he had for the daughter of Harriga, the more he merits praise for having generously sacrificed his mistress and his friends to his honor. It is thus that God is pleased to produce in barbarous regions extraordinary persons in order to confound the Christians who live in countries where reign the sciences and religion.

CHAPTER V.

THE GENERAL SENDS TO DEMAND Ortiz.

SOTO, being in the town of Harriga, heard of the adventures of Ortiz, of which he had learned something at Havana from one of the Indians whom Anasco had kidnapped when he went to discover the coast of Florida, for they were subjects of the cacique Harriga. But as he who related the story of Ortiz pronounced Orotis for Ortiz, the Spaniards, notwithstanding their interpreters, believed that this barbarian asserted that his country abounded in gold, and they rejoiced to hear this word " Orotis," because their views did not extend beyond searching for gold in Florida. Finally upon the assurance the general had that Ortiz was with 3lueogo, he believed that he ought to send to demand him, as well to liberate him, as to make use of him as an interpreter. He therefore ordered Belthazar cle Gallego, sergeant major of the army, to go to Mucoco and say to him that the Spaniards appreciated the favors which he had clone Ortiz; that, trusting to the kindness which he had for them, he besought him to return to them this slave, because he was very necessary to them; that in consideration of this new favor which he expected, there was nothing which he would not undertake for him; that if he would take the trouble to visit them, he would find that he had not obliged ungrateful persons; finally, that, after the marks of generosity he had given, their greatest joy would be to meet him, and have him for a friend.

Gallego left immediately with sixty lancers, and at the same time Muccco learned that the Spanish troops had arrived at Harriga, in order to conquer the country. As he dreaded this army he spoke of it to Ortiz, and told him that on his account he had embroiled himself with powerful caciques; that now a good opportunity presented itself for him to show his gratitude for this favor; that really he had obliged him without the expectation of a return, but that it seemed that fortune desired that the good offices which he had rendered the Spaniards in his person should be recognized; that, therefore, it was his intention to send him with fifty of the most distinguished of his subjects to the general in order to offer him his alliance, and to solicit him to receive the country under his protection. Ortiz, overjoyed at this news, replied to Mucoco that he was much rejoiced to be able to evince to him his gratitude; that he would relate to the Spaniards his generosity, and that those of his nation, who pride themselves upon being very sensible for the favors which are done to their people, would esteem him now and forever, and that assuredly he would receive the fruits of the kindness which he had shown him.

No sooner had he spoken than he saw fifty Indians, who had been commanded to hold themselves ready to Accompany him. They tools the route which goes from Mucoco to Harriga, and left, the day that Gallego started from the camp, to go to the cacique. But it happened that after three leagues of travel in the high road, the guide of the Spaniards tools it into his head that he ought not to conduct them faithfully. He, therefore, began to regard them as enemies, who had come to take possession of the Indies, and to rob the inhabitants of their wealth and their liberty. Moved by these considerations he left his road and took the first that he met, and misled the Spaniards a great part of the clay.

He led them round about toward the sea, with the design of embarrassing them among some marshes, in order to destroy them there. And as they had not any knowledge of the country, they did not discover the motive of the barbarian until one of them perceived through the Oaks of the forest where they were the masts of their ships. They informed Gallego of the wickedness of the guide, and he placed himself in a posture to pierce him with a thrust of his lance. The Indian, quite astonished, made known that he would re-conduct the Spaniards into the road. He kept his word, but they were obliged to retrace their steps.

CHAPTER VI.

THE MEETING OF ORTIE AND GALLEGO.

Ortiz, going from Mucoco to Harriga, entered into the road which Gallego had taken, and discovered by the tracks of the Spaniards, that their guide had misled them through malice. Therefore, to prevent the alarm which they would give to the town, if they should arrive there before having spoken to him, he resolved to follow them with his company. And after having marched some time he discovered Gallego and his companions in a great plain, bordered on one side by a thick forest. The opinion of the Indians was to immediately gain the woods, because they ran the risk of being badly treated by the Christians if they were not recognized by them as friends before they reached them. Ortiz, without heeding this advice, imagined it was enough to be a Spaniard, and tilat those of Iris nation would not mistake him. However, as he was dressed as an Indian, with a cap covered with plumes, short drawers, a bow and arrow in his hand, the affair did not turn out as he had calculated; for as soon as the Spaniards saw him accompanied by his men, they increased their steps, quitted their ranks, and, without obeying Gallego, who recalled them, charged upon the barbarians whom Ortiz led, and drove them with thrusts of their lances into the woods. However, as the Indians did not stand their ground, there was but one of them wounded by the thrust of a lance in his groin. This barbarian, who acted so boldly, had remained behind will Ortiz, whom Nieto pursued vigorously with the thrusts of his lance, which Ortiz parried at first with his bow. But as Sieto, who was ardent and robust, renewed the attack, Ortiz, fearing to succumb, began to cry Xibilla for Sevilla. He made at the same time with his bow the sign of the cross, in order that they should know that be was a Christian, because he could not say it in Spanish. He had, to such a degree, lost the custom of speaking his language, since he was among the Indians, that he had so forgotten it that he could not even pronounce Sevilla, the proper name of the place where he was born. The same thing has happened to me, for not having found in Spain any one with whom I could converse in my native tongue, which is that of Peru, I have lost to such a degree the habit of speaking it, that, to make myself understood, I cannot speak six or seven words in succession. I had, notwithstanding, formerly known how to express myself in Indian, with so much grace, that, except the incas who spoke the best, no others could express themselves more elegantly than I.

To return to Ortiz: when Nieto heard him pronounce "Xibilla," be asked him who he was, and as soon as he replied, Ortiz, he took him by the arm, lifted him upon the croup of his horse, and joyfully led him to Gallego, who quickly caused to be reassembled his people, who lead given chase to the Indians. Ortiz himself entered into the woods, called his companions, crying with all his strength, that they could return with all safety. But some frightened fled is far as the town of Mucoco, where they gave information of all that had happened, and others who were not so much frightened, and had not wandered so far, came, one after another, out of the woods at the call of Ortiz. They all cursed his bad conduct, so that, but for the presence of our people, they would have abused him. But to satisfy themselves in some manner, they flew into a passion at their injuries, which Ortiz explained as well as he could to the Spaniards, who also blamed him, and gave orders that they should take care of the wounded Indian. In the mean time he dispatched a man to the cacique Mucoco to extricate him from the trouble into which the fugitives had placed him, and then they all took the route to the camp.

CHAPTER VII.

MUCOCO VISITS THE GENERAL.

THE night was already far advanced when Gallego arrived at the camp. The general, surprised at so quick a return, imagined some great misfortune, but he was immediately reassured at the sight of Ortiz, whom he kindly received, and to whom he gave a skirt of black velvet, of which Ortiz could not make use, because he was accustomed to go naked. He wore only a shirt, linen drawers, a cap, and slices; and remained in this condition more than twenty days, until, by degrees, he recovered the habit of clothing himself. Soto also gave a favorable reception to the Indians; and afterward he dispatched a. person to the cacique to thank him for having sent Ortiz to him. He ordered him to say to him that he felt obliged for the offer which he had made him, of liis desire to place himself under the protection of the Spaniards; and that he accepted it with joy, in the name of his master, Charles the Fifth, the first of Christian princes.

In the mean time the Spaniards came to see Ortiz, embraced him, congratulated him upon his arrival, and passed the night in rejoicing. Afterward the general called him, to learn the peculiarities of Florida, and the life he had led under the caciques. Ortiz told him that Harriga had cruelly tortured him. He showed him the marks of it, and it was seen that worms had come from the wounds which the fire had made. But that Mucoco had treated him civilly. That, nevertheless, he had not dared to go out of the way, for fear of being killed by the subjects of Harriga; so that he had scarcely any knowledge of the country, and that he knew only that the further they advanced into the country, the more fertile it was.

Whilst Ortiz was entertaining the general, notice was given that Mucoco, attended by many Indians, was approaching the camp. In fact, he was seen almost as soon as he was announced, and they conducted him to the general, whom he saluted with respect, as well as all the officers of the army, according to the rank which each one held, as Ortiz made known to him. He returned afterward to pay his court to the general, who received him with much friendship, on account of the kindness which he had had for Ortiz. But Mucogo showed that they were not tinder obligations to him for what he had clone, because, in his quality of cacique, it was his duty; that they were to consider it only in that light; and also that he had sent Ortiz only to prevent the troops from laying waste his lands; that thus his services were of little importance. That, however, he rejoiced that his conduct was favorably construed by the general, for whom he had a very special esteem. That he besought him, by that zeal and magnanimity which is so natural to the Spaniards, to take him under his protection. That henceforth he would recognize Charles the Fifth and Hernando de Soto as his legitimate lords; that, being their vassal, he was recompensed beyond his merit, and that for the future he would serve them with all his power. Porcallo and the other captains, surprised at the good sense of the cacique, paid him much honor, and even made presents to him and all his suite.

CHAPTER VIII.

THE MOTHER OF MUCOCO COMES TO THE CAMP.

Two clays after the arrival of 3lucogo, his mother, who was absent when he left his biome, and who would never have consented that he should deliver himself into the power of the Spaniards, visited Soto. She lead sadness depicted on her countenance, and appeared so much agitated by the uneasiness which she had for her son, that, approaching the general, she besought him to restore to her Mucoco, for fear lest he should be treated as Harriga. That if he was resolved to go to this extremity, she was ready to die for her son. The general received her civilly, and replied to her, that, very far from doing anything unpleasant to Mucoco, he merited every net of kindness; that he even wished that they should pay his mother great respect, on account of so generous a son; that for this reason she should fear nothing and expect everything from the generosity of the Spaniards. These words reassured a little the kind mother, and induced her to remain in the camp. But site had so much distrust, that, eating at the table of the general, she was afraid lest they should poison her; so that she would not taste anything until Ortiz had, first of all, tasted it, and assured her that there was no danger; which led one of the gentlemen of the suite to say that he was astonished that she had offered her life for her son, since site dreaded so much to lose it. This lady, to whom they explained that, replied that it was true that site dearly loved her life, but that she loved still more her son; and that there was nothing which she would not give to preserve him; that in consideration of this, site besought the general to restore to her the object of all her affections; that she desired earnestly to take him with her; that in one word she could not overcome her distrust of the promises of the Christians.

The general replied to her, that she was at liberty to go; but as for her son, he would find some pleasure in remaining among the Spaniards, of whom the greater part were of his age; that when he should wish to return, no one should oppose it; that finally, he declared that her son would have rather whereof to be pleased than to complain.

The mother of the cacique left the camp upon this promise; but first of all she begged Ortiz to remember that her son had obliged him, and to do the same for him in the danger in which she was leaving him. The general and all his suite laughed it this distrust; which Mucoco turned with so much wit that he contributed to the diversion of the Spaniards; and to show that he confided in them, he remained eight more days to converse with Soto and his officers. Sometimes he inquired about the emperor, sometimes about the ladies, and sometimes about the customs, and the grandees of Spain. After this he tool: a suitable pretext for returning, and politely left the Spaniards. But he returned to see them many times afterward, and made divers presents to them all.

Mucoco was, at that time, between twenty-six and twenty-seven years of age; he had a handsome countenance, a fine form, and an inexpressible air of grandeur in all his actions, which gained the love and esteem of those who approached him.