nothing, except that they contained urgent intimations to depart, and vehement threats in case of noncompliance; but, finding probably that they were not strong enough to execute these menaces, they retreated into the interior. In this village there is said to have been a house so large that it could contain three hundred persons.

The

An excursion was now made into the interior, and another village was visited, towards which the same domineering system was observed. Seeing a number of chests in which the Indians preserved the dead bodies of their relations, the governor conceiving this to be a species of idolatry, caused both chests and bodies to be reduced to ashes, -a proceeding very little calculated to conciliate the Floridans. avidity of the Spaniards was, however, very strongly excited by the view of some fine cloths, and especially of some golden ornaments worn by the Indians; in reply to their eager inquiries respecting which, Apalachen, a country situated at some distance in the interior, was referred to as the quarter whence were derived these and all the other articles seen to be desirable in the eyes of the Spaniards.

It was now time for the governor to consider what course he was to pursue in exploring and conquering Florida. Miruelo, a pilot whom they brought from Cuba, had undertaken to guide them into a secure and commodious harbour, instead of which he had brought them into a mere open road, and now declared himself quite out of his reckoning, and at a loss whither to steer. Narvaez, whose mind was full of the reported wealth of Apalachen, then proposed that they should at once push into the interior, leaving the vessels to find their way at leisure into this or any other convenient port. Alvaro, the narrator, supported the directly opposite opinion. He observed, that they were entering a savage and almost uninhabited country, of which they had not the slightest knowledge; they were entering it as dumb persons, who could not make the natives understand a single word, or obtain from them the least information. He urged, therefore, that they should reimbark and sail on, till they should find a secure harbour in a fertile country, from which, as a basis, they might penetrate into the interior. Only the secretary supported this opinion; all the rest, dazzled with the hope of wealth, and impressed with the dangers of the sea, which, being recently felt, appeared more dreadful than any they could encounter on land, cordially seconded the governor's proposal. Alvaro still remaining obstinate, Narvaez observed, that since he was so dreadfully alarmed at the idea of marching into the country, he might take charge of the ships, which he deemed so much safer a task. The Castilian pride of Alvaro took fire. He declared, that though he did not expect that they would ever again see the ships, or the ships them, but that they would leave their bones on this savage earth, he was determined to share every extremity with his countrymen, rather than expose his honour to the slightest imputation. The fleet was therefore committed to an officer of the name of Caravallo, and all preparations were made for the interior expedition.*

On the 1st of May, 1528, the Spaniards, three hundred strong, of whom forty were mounted, and with an allowance of two pounds of biscuit and half a pound of pork to each man, set forth to explore the depths of this vast continent. They travelled fifteen days without seeing house or habitation. No long time was required to consume their biscuit and pork, after which they became solely dependent on some wild palm trees. Amid the exhaustion to which this hungry toil reduced them, they were obliged to spend a day in crossing a broad and rapid river, at the opposite side of which they found a village. Here, in answer to their eager inquiries respecting Apalachen, the Indians informed them that the Apalachens were their own enemies, and that they were ready to aid in whatever might be undertaken against that people. After having held some friendly communication and obtained guides, the Spaniards proceeded; but soon reached another river still more rapid, and which could be crossed only by constructing a large canoe for the purpose. John Velasco, a bold horseman, having attempted to swim across, was drowned along with his horse. This first loss cast a considerable gloom over their minds; however the horse, being found by the Indians, was made to afford the only hearty meal they had enjoyed for many days. They had still a long march to perform, over tracts sometimes mountainous and sometimes marshy, encumbered with large trees blown down by the tempests, and often blocking up the road. At length, on the 26th of June, they arrived in sight of a village, which was an

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nounced as Apalachen. Joy took possession of their hearts, and they returned fervent thanks to Heaven that they had come to the end of this long and dreary journey, and of the heavy labour and gnawing hunger which they had endured; that they had reached a region of abundance and wealth, such as this had been painted.

Narvaez desired Alvaro, with fifty infantry and nine cavalry, to enter and take possession of the town. This he easily effected, as all the men were absent, probably on a hunting excursion, and only women and children left in the place. The warriors, however, soon appeared, and were neither little nor agreeably surprised to find their abodes in the possession of a band of strangers. They showed their sentiments by letting fly a shower of arrows, one of which killed a Spanish horse. When fairly attacked, however, they were unable to bear the shock of European troops, and retreated into the woods. They appeared two days after in a pacific attitude, and besought, that if they could not recover their houses, they might at least have their wives and children. This was granted, the Spaniards only retaining one of their Caciques as a hostage. It was soon found, however, that their enmity was in no degree abated. Next day they made an attack so furious, that they succeeded in setting fire to some of the houses; and though again quickly repulsed, fled with such celerity into the woods and marshes, that only one could be killed. Next day an equally brisk attack was made, with a similar result.

The Spaniards had not remained long at Apalachen, when they became statisfied that the brilliant wealth which had lured them on to this laborious and perilous expedition was a perfect chimera. The country was mountainous and rugged, covered with extensive marshes, which, both from their depth and the large trees strewed across them, were exceedingly difficult to pass. On strict inquiry, it appeared that the farther they proceeded in this direction they would find it always the more barren and rugged. They now began to feel themselves in evil plight. Though the Indians could not face them in the field, they hemmed them closely in, and every man or horse which straggled from the main body was overwhelmed with a shower of arrows. At length it was learned, that to the south was the country of Aute (now called the Bay of St Mark), which was situated on the seacoast, and abounded in maize. So valuable did these comforts now appear, that the Spaniards, renouncing all their chimeras of gold and conquest, determined to set out in search of the coast of Aute.

The journey was free neither from difficulty nor danger. They had to cross lagoons and marshes deeper and more encumbered than any they had hitherto encountered. On the second day, while they were struggling through, with the water up to their breast, the air was suddenly darkened by clouds of arrows, shot by invisible hands. These were the Indians, who had lodged themselves along the banks of the lake, or behind the trees which floated on its surface. With bows eleven or twelve spans long, and as thick as a man's arm, they discharged arrows to the