having traversed all America free and respected, he was made a prisoner by his own countrymen, and sent over a range of mountains so desolate and rugged, that two of the party perished on the road. On his arrival, however, at Compostella, the capital of New Gallicia, he was very courteously received, and much displeasure was expressed by the governor at the conduct of the frontier Spaniards. At Mexico his reception was still more cordial, and he was liberally supplied with every thing he wanted. After spending the winter here, he set sail next spring; and, having escaped considerable danger both from the sea and the French, who were then at war with Spain, he arrived at Lisbon on the 9th August, 1537.*

The disasters which had attended the expedition of Narvaez and its calamitous issue, did not, at that era of daring adventure, deter captains, even of high possessions and promise, from pressing eagerly on in the same career. FERNANDO DE SOTO, a native of Badajos, originally possessing only courage and his sword, had been one of the most distinguished companions of Pizarro, and a main instrument in annexing to Spain the golden regions of Peru. He went along with Ferdinand Pizarro on the first embassy to the Inca of Caxamalca, and he commanded one of three companies of horse, who encountered and made captive that unfortunate prince. Afterwards, along with Barco, he advanced to Cuzco, and first entered that imperial city. He returned to Spain, laden with

* Herrera, Dec. vi. Naufragios, &c. 31. Ramusio, iii. 276.

wealth, and with that high, though somewhat dark fame, which attended these celebrated exploits. He appeared at the court of Charles V. in great pomp, with a brilliant retinue, who had in some degree shared his prosperity. By accommodating the emperor with a liberal loan, he paved the way for obtaining almost any thing he might choose to demand. Soto sued for a fatal gift. Not content with the ample wealth and honours at which he had arrived, he viewed them only as instruments towards the attainment of something more splendid. In the conquest of Peru his part had been secondary, the first prize had been carried off by another. He sought a country, the glory of conquering and the pride of ruling which should be wholly his; and he was willing to embark all his ample treasures in an adventure which would open, it was hoped, new and more copious sources of wealth. His wishes were fulfilled. He was created Adelantado of Florida, combining the offices of governor-general and commander-in-chief. He was also allowed, in this future kingdom, thirty leagues of territory to be formed into a marquisate. Soon after the conclusion of this agreement, Alvaro made his appearance, soliciting the same appointment, to which his dear-bought experience seemed to give him a sort of right; but the prior and well-supported claim of Soto kept its ground, and Alvaro was obliged to content himself with the government of Buenos Ayres. Thus gifted to his utmost wishes, he immediately proceeded to embark his whole fortune in the grand adventure. As the report spread, that Soto was setting forth to conquer new kingdoms, and to open the treasures of another Peru, crowds of spirited and enterprising youths flocked to join, and even, like him, to embark their fortunes in the cause. In the course of fifteen months he had equipped an expedition of ten sail and nine hundred adventurers, most of them trained to arms.* He set sail with the Mexican fleet, of which he received the command as far as Cuba, and that island was even placed under his command, that he might draw from it every resource which it could afford for the furtherance of his object. At Cuba he was re-enforced by a distinguished volunteer, Vasco Porcalho, who had long carried arms both in Europe and America, and, having accumulated an immense fortune, was living in splendid retirement; but, on seeing the fine equipment and bold spirit of this expedition, he felt his military ardour revive. In a few days he resolved to join them in person, bringing an ample supply of provisions and stores, eighty horses, and a considerable train of followers. In consideration of these important aids, and of his own experience, he was created by Soto his lieutenant-general.

On the 12th May, 1539, the Adelantado set sail from Cuba, and towards the end of the month disembarked on the coast of Florida. He immediately advanced upon the city of Hirriga or Hirrihigua, governed, like all the other Floridan states, by a cacique of the same name. Soto seems to have come with intentions more than usually wise and humane, and to have sought to redeem the character of his nation. He determined not only to abstain from every injury and outrage against the natives, but even not to resent their first hostility, and to make friends of them by every possible sacrifice. But the memory of the Indians furnished a dreadful catalogue of wrongs, which could not be wiped off by a few passing professions, or by even acts of kindness. The Adelantado was moreover obliged to open his communications by demanding, in virtue of the Papal grant, a regular act of submission to his sovereign, and to himself as viceroy, a demand which was held in utter disdain by the free and proud Caciques of Florida. The sovereign of Hirriga, we are coolly told, had had his nose cut off and his mother cruelly murdered by the Spaniards, so that he could never view them but with the most unrelenting enmity. He had caught hold of four, three of whom he put to death amid the severest torments. With respect to Ortiz, the fourth, a controversy was raised by that humane disposition which the wife and daughters of the Cacique shared with the rest of their sex. By constant entreaty they succeeded in persuading him to do no more than variously torture his prisoner. Even when they found him one day laid over the fire on a gridiron, they rescued him, and by great care recovered him from his half-roasted state. At length Hirriga announced that he must and would, without further delay, kill Ortiz, and that in so peremptory a tone that the ladies durst say no more. Pity, however, still swayed their breasts; and the eldest daughter contrived to send him off at midnight, under charge of a trusty Indian,

to Mucoço, a neighbouring prince who was tenderly attached to her. Mucoço received in the kindest manner a fugitive who came with such a recommendation. As soon, therefore, as he learned the landing of the Spaniards he repaired to their camp along with Ortiz. The sight of this personage, and the hearing of his name, caused a pretty deep disappointment to the expedition. Some one, it seems, had intimated that there was something at the court of Mucoço which would be agreeable to them; but, pronouncing the word Orotis, the two first syllables caught the ear of the Spaniards, and suggested to them gold, that object of their sole and perpetual longing. Instead of that precious metal, to see only a captive countryman, caused them to look somewhat blank; though the securing an interpreter and guide was perhaps an object of more real value. Mucoço seemed extremely pleased with his reception at the camp, and even agreed to hold himself as the vassal of the crown of Spain. His poor mother, however, arrived after him in a doleful plight. She immediately hastened to the general, and, falling on her knees, implored from him her son, declaring herself ready to die in his stead. Soto solemnly assured her that nothing could be farther from the wish of the Spaniards than either her death or his, and entreated her to compose herself, and take some refreshment. At length she was prevailed on to sit down to table; but, still cherishing the blackest ideas of the Spaniards, she would not allow a morsel to enter her lips till Ortiz had tasted it, and certified that it was not poisoned. Hereupon some of the gentlemen rallied her upon such extreme