distance of two hundred yards with almost unerring precision, and such force, that they penetrated the thickest armour, and grievously wounded both man and horse. Sometimes even a single wound caused immediate death. The Indians, when seen, being tall, naked, and moving with prodigious swiftness, had almost the appearance of supernatural beings. No movement of resistance or attack could be made till the Spaniards were extricated from the lagoon; and even then the ground was so encumbered, that the cavalry could not act, and it was only by dismounting and pursuing the enemy on foot, that it became possible to drive them to a little distance. They soon re-appeared, and allowed the Spaniards no rest, till after their stock of arrows was exhausted. The expedition then proceeded without farther molestation, and in nine days from its last departure arrived at Aute. The natives had abandoned the place; but a good store of maize was found, and after another day's march they came to the banks of a river which appeared to open at some distance below into a broad arm of the sea.

The situation of the Spaniards was now such as called for the most serious reflection. All their brilliant hopes had vanished. Nearly a third of their number had perished. More than a third of those remaining laboured under disease, which was gaining so rapidly as to make it certain that a continuance of these laborious marches through a hostile country would place the whole on the sick-list. There was thus every reason to fear, that either in attempting to retrace their steps, or to march along the coast in search of their fleet, the whole would perish. A general meeting was called, and every one was asked what he had to propose. After long deliberation, there appeared only one resource which afforded a gleam of hope; this was to construct little barks, and sail along the coast till they should find their fleet. It was difficult to conceive a resource more forlorn. They had neither knowledge of ship-building, nor any implements of the art, nor any materials out of which sails, ropes, and rigging could be constructed. Still the plan had this one recommendation, that every thing else was utterly desperate. They therefore applied themselves to the task, and called upon Heaven, and upon Necessity, the mother of invention, to aid them. One of them, out of wooden pipes and the skins of wild beasts, contrived to make a pair of bellows, by the operation of which their stirrups, spurs, and cross-bows, were converted into nails, saws, and hatchets. Their shirts, cut open and sewed together, made sails; the juice of a species of pine was a substitute for tar; the woolly part of the palm-tree served as oakum; its fibres, with loose hair, formed a species of rope. A horse was killed every three days, and its flesh distributed, partly to the working hands, partly as a dainty to the sick. In short, with such ardour did the work proceed, that having begun on the 4th of August, by the 22d of September they had completed five boats, in each of which were embarked from forty to fifty persons; but they were so crowded, that they could not move or turn in the boat, of which not more than a fourth part was above the water. In this plight, however, it behoved them to sail.*

After proceeding six days, a favourable circumstance occurred. On approaching an island, they descried five canoes belonging to Indians, who immediately abandoned them. The canoes being taken and attached to their boats, enabled the Spaniards to place themselves in a somewhat better condition. They sailed on, however, thirty days without finding any secure haven, or opportunity of refreshment. The scarcity of victuals was now felt; and that of water was so extreme, that many were driven to drink seawater, which, when taken in any quantity, proved fatal. Their sufferings were aggravated by a severe storm, which continued for six days; at the end of which they seemed on the point of perishing, when, on turning a point, they discovered a fine and secure bay, with a considerable village. Here they were received most cordially and hospitably: before each door stood vessels of water, from which they quenched their thirst, and they enjoyed a hearty meal of roasted fish. Mutual presents were exchanged, and such a cordial intercourse established, that Narvaez agreed to spend the night under the roof of the Cacique. This calm was of short duration. At midnight the village was attacked by a hostile tribe of Indians; the Cacique fled with all his people, and the Spaniards were left to maintain alone a desperate contest. The governor

*

Naufragios, p. 6-9. Herrera, Dec. iv. 6-9, lib. 4. ch. 6. Ramusio, iii. 262-3.

himself and all his people were wounded more or less severely, before the enemy could be beat off; and they had no choice left but to re-embark. They touched afterwards at another populous bay; but being involved in a quarrel with the natives, respecting two of their people who had been lured away, were obliged again to put out to sea. Their situation became now every moment more critical. Their remnant of provisions was drawing fast to a close, and the shattered barks could scarcely be got forward. That of the governor being the best manned, now began pushing on at a rate with which the rest were unable to keep pace. Alvaro called out to ask orders how he was to proceed; to which Narvaez answered, that the time was past for giving or receiving orders, and that it rested with every man to save his life as he best could; he then pushed on, and was soon out of sight. Alvaro, with another of the barks, continued the voyage for four days; but having only half a handful of maize daily for each, and encountering severe weather, they were reduced to the most extreme distress. On the evening of the fourth day the crew sunk entirely, and fell down half dead over each other. Alvaro being alone capable of any exertion, the master called to him, that he must take the helm, as he himself would certainly die that night. Alvaro took the post, but after a few hours' rest the master resumed it. Towards morning they heard the sound of breakers, and found the vessel in six fathoms water, which led to the hope of being near land. Daylight confirmed this hope, and, after a severe shock in crossing the breakers, the boat was got near to the land, and the exhausted crew crept on shore upon their hands and feet. Here they kindled a fire, cooked the maize which they had still left, and began to feel their strength and spirits revive.

Alvaro desired Lope d'Oviedo, the most vigorous of the company, to mount a tree and see what land it was on which they had been thrown. Oviedo reported that it was an island, and so well cultivated, that it appeared almost a Christian land. He was then desired to advance a little into the country, though with caution. He soon found a village, with only women and children in it; but three archers speedily appeared, with others behind, who, following Oviedo, quickly reached the shore, and formed a circle of about a hundred round our party. They were wellarmed and tall, and, to the alarmed eyes of the Spaniards, appeared almost gigantic. Alvaro, who had not six men that could rise from the ground, saw clearly that he had nothing to hope from resistance, and that his only course was to endeavour to propitiate the strangers. This he sought to do by courtesy, and by presenting them with those toys in which savages delight. He met a most kind and gracious return; the Indians presented him with arrows, their surest pledge of confidence; they regretted much having no provisions with them, but promised by next morning to return with a copious supply.

The Indians fulfilled their engagement, and both this day and the following brought fresh stores of fish, roots, and other productions of the soil. Alvaro, having formed a stock of these sufficient to last for some time, determined to set sail and pursue his voyage.