 Section 17 of a Book of American Explorers. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by John Brandon. A Book of American Explorers by Thomas Wentworth Higginson. Book 3. Cabot and Verrazano. AD 1497 to 1524. Part 3. Verrazano's Letter to the King. This letter is said to have been written at Dieppe, July the 8th, 1524, being addressed to King Francis I of France. This narrative, if authentic, is the earliest original account of the Atlantic coast of the United States. Its authenticity has been doubted, and Mr. Bancroft, in the new edition of his history, does not refer to it at all. But as the question is still unsettled, the letter is included here. I wrote not to your majesty, most Christian king, since the time we suffered the tempest in the north parts of the success of the four ships, which your majesty sent forth to discover new lands by the ocean, thinking your majesty had been already duly informed thereof. Now by these presents, I will give your majesty to understand how by the violence of the winds, we were forced with the two ships, the Norman and the Dolphin, in such evil case as they were, to land in Brittany. Whereafter we had repaired them, in all points, as was needful, and armed them very well. We took our course along by the coast of Spain. Afterwards, with the Dolphin alone, we determined to make discovery of new countries, to prosecute the navigation we had already begun, which I purpose at this present to recount unto your majesty to make manifest the whole proceeding of the matter. The 17th of January, the year 1524 by the grace of God, we departed from the dishabited rock by the Isle of Madeira, appertaining to the king of Portugal with fifty men, with vitals, weapon, and other ship munitions, very well provided, and furnished for eight months. And sailing westwards with a fair easterly wind, in twenty-four days we ran five hundred leagues. And the twentieth of February, we were overtaken with as sharp and terrible a tempest as ever any sailors suffered. Whereof, with the divine help and merciful assistance of Almighty God, and the goodness of our ship, accompanied with a good hap of her fortunate name, we were delivered, and with a prosperous wind followed our course west by north. And in other twenty-five days we made about four hundred leagues more, where we discovered a new land never before seen of any man, either ancient or modern. And at the first sight it seemed somewhat low. But being within a quarter of a league of it we perceived, by the great fires that we saw by the sea coast, that it was inhabited, and saw that the land stretched to the southwards. While we roved it anchor upon that coast, partly because it had no harbor, and for that we wanted water, we sent our boat ashore with twenty-five men, whereby reason of great and continual waves that beat against the shore, being an open coast, without sucker none of our men could possibly go ashore without losing our boat. We saw there were many people which came onto the shore making diverse signs of friendship, and showing that they were content we should come a land, and by trial we found them to be very courteous and gentle, as your majesty shall understand by the success. To the intent we might send them of our things which the Indians commonly desire and esteem, as sheets of paper, glasses, bells, and such like trifles, we set a young man, one of our mariners, ashore, whose swimming towards them, and being within three or four yards off the shore, not trusting them, cast the things upon the shore. Seeking afterwards to return, he was with such violence of the waves beaten upon the shore, that he was so bruised that he lay there almost dead, which the Indians perceiving ran to catch him, and drawing him out they carried him a little way off from the sea. The young man perceiving they carried him being at first dismayed began then greatly to fear, and cried out piteously. Likewise did the Indians, which did accompany him, going about to cheer him and give him courage, and then setting him on the ground at the foot of a little hill against the sun, began to behold him with great admiration, marvelling at the whiteness of his flesh. And putting off his clothes, they made him warm at a great fire, not without our great fear, which remained in the boat. The day would have roasted him at that fire and have eaten him. The young man having recovered his strength, and having stayed a while with them, showed them by signs that he was desirous to return to the ship, and they with great love, clamping him fast about with many embracings, accompanying him onto the sea, and to put him in more assurance, leaving him alone, went onto a high ground, and stood there, beholding him until he was entered into the boat. This young man observed, as we did also, that these are of color inclining to black, as the others were, with their flesh very shining, of mean stature, handsome visage, and delicate limbs, and of very little strength. But prompt wit, further we observed not. Devarning from hence, following the shore, which tended somewhat toward the north in fifty league space, we came to another land, which showed much more fair and full of woods, being very great, where we rode at anchor, and that we might have some knowledge thereof, we sent twenty men a land, which entered into the country about two leagues, and they found that the people were fled to the woods for fear. They saw only one old woman with a young maid of eighteen or twenty years old, which seeing our company hid themselves in the grass for fear. The old woman carried two infants on her shoulders, and behind her neck a child of eight years old. The young woman was laden likewise with as many. But when the men came upon them, the old woman made signs that the men were fled into the woods as soon as they saw us. To quiet them and to win their favor, our men gave them such vitals as they had with them to eat, which the old woman received, thankfully, but the young woman disdained them all, and threw them disdainfully on the ground. They took a child from the old woman to bring into France, and going about to take the young woman, which was very beautiful and a tall stature, could not possibly, for the great outcries that she made bring her to the sea, and especially having great woods to pass through and being far from the ship, we purposed to leave her behind bearing away the child only. We found those folks to be more white than those we found before, being clad with certain leaves that hang on the boughs of trees which they sew together with threads of wild hemp. Their heads were trussed up, after the same manner as the former were. Their ordinary food is of pulse, beans and peas, whereof they had great store, differing in color and taste from ours, of good and pleasant taste. Moreover, they live by fishing and fouling which they take, with traps and bows made of hardwood, the arrows of canes being headed with the bones of fish and other beasts. The beasts in these parts are much wilder than in our Europe, by reason they are continually chased and hunted. We saw many of their boats, made of one tree, twenty feet long, and four feet broad, which are not made of iron or stone, or any other kind of metal, because that in all this country, for the space of two hundred leagues which we ran, we never saw one stone of any sort. They help themselves with fire burning so much of the tree as is sufficient for the hollowness of the boat. The like they do in making the stern and forepart, until it be fit to sail upon the sea. And we came to another land, being fifteen leagues distant from the island. Where we found a pass in Goodhaven, wherein being entered, we found about twenty small boats of the people which, with divers cries and wanderings, came about our ship. Coming no nearer than fifty paces towards us, they stayed and beheld the artificialness of our ship, our shape, and apparel. That they all made a loud shout together, declaring that they rejoiced. When we had something animated them, using their gestures they came so near us, that we cast them certain bells and glasses and many toys, which when they had received, they looked on them with laughing, and came without fear aboard our ship. There were amongst these people two kings of so goodly stature and shape as is possible to declare. The eldest was about forty years of age, the second was a young man of twenty years old. Their apparel was on this manner, the elder had upon his naked body, a deerskin, wrought artificially with divers branches like damask. His head was bare, with the hair tied up behind with divers knots. About his neck he had a large chain, garnished with divers stones of sundry colors. The young man was almost apparel after the same manner. This is the goodliest people, and of the fairest conditions that we have found in this our voyage. They exceed us in bigness. They are of the color of brass. Some of them incline more to whiteness. Others are of a yellow color of comely visage with long and black hair, which they are very careful to trim and deck up. There are also of them which wear on their arms very rich skins of leopards. They adorn their heads with divers ornaments made of their own hair, which hangs down before on both sides their breasts. Others use other kind of dressing themselves, like unto the women of Egypt and Syria. These are of the elder sort, and when they are married they wear various ornaments according to the usage of the people of the east, as well men as women. Among whom we saw many plates of wrought copper, which they esteem more than gold, which for the color they make no account of, for that among all others is counted the basest. They make the most account of azure and red. The things that they esteemed most of all those which we gave them were bells, crystal, of azure color, and other toys to hang at their ears or about their neck. They did not desire cloth of silk or gold much less of any other sort. Neither cared they for things made of steel and iron, which we often showed them in our armor, which they made no wonder at, and in beholding them they only asked the art of making them. The like they did at our mirrors, which when they beheld they suddenly laughed and gave them us again. And oftentimes one of the two kings coming with his queen and many gentlemen for their pleasure to see us, they all stayed on the shore, two hundred paces from us, sending a small boat to give us intelligence of their coming, saying they would come to see our ship. This they did in token of safety. And as soon as they had answer from us, they came immediately and having stayed awhile to behold it. They wondered at hearing the cries and noise of the mariners. The queen and her maid stayed in the very light boat at an island a quarter of a league off, while the king abode a long space in our ship, uttering various exclamations with gestures, viewing with great admiration all the furniture of the ship, demanding the property of everything particularly. He took likewise great pleasure in beholding our apparel and in tasting our meats, and so courteously taking his leave departed. And sometimes our men staying for two or three days on a little island near the ship for divers necessaries. As it is the use of semen, he returned with seven or eight of his gentlemen to see what we did, and asked of us off times if we meant to make any long abode there, offering us of their provision. Then the king drawing his bow and running up and down with his gentlemen made much sport to gratify our men. We found another land, high, full of thick woods. The trees whereof were furs, cypresses, and such like as our want to grow in cold countries. The people differ much from the other and look. How much the former seemed to be courteous and gentle, so much were these full of rudeness and ill manners, and so barbarous, that by no means that ever we could make, we could have any kind of traffic with them. They clothed themselves with bare skins and leopards and seals and other beast skins. Their food is, far as we could perceive, repairing often unto their dwellings, we supposed to be by hunting and fishing, and of certain fruits which are kind of roots, which the earth yieldeth of her own accord. They have no grain, neither saw we any kind, or sign of tillage. Neither is the land, or the barrenness thereof, have to bear fruit or seed. If at any time we desired by exchange to have any of their commodities, they used to come to the seashore upon certain craggy rocks, and we standing in our boats, they let down with a rope, what it pleased them to give us, crying continually that we should not approach to the land, demanding immediately the exchange, taking nothing but knives, fish hooks, and tools to cut with all. Neither did they make any account of our courtesy, and when we had nothing left to exchange with them, when we departed from them, the people showed all signs of discourtesy and disdain, as was possible for any creature to invent. We were, in despite of them, two or three leagues within the land, being in number twenty-five armed men of us, and when we went on shore they shot at us with their bows, making great outcries, and afterwards fled into the woods. Having now spent all our provision and vitals, and having discovered about seven hundred leagues and more of new countries, and being furnished with water and wood, we concluded to return to France. End of Section 17, Recording by John Brandon Strange Voyage Alba Núñez Cadeza de Baca sailed for Florida in June 1527, as treasurer of a Spanish armada, or armed fleet. In Cuba they encountered a hurricane which delayed them, but they at last reached the coast of Florida in February 1528, probably landing at what is now called Charlotte Harbor. A portion of the party left their ships and marched into the interior, reaching a region which they called Apalache, probably in what is now Alabama. When they were driven back to the seashore amid great hardships, losing one-third of their number before they reached Aote, now the Bay of St. Mark's, near this they came to the sea, and here the narrative begins. It was a piteous and painful thing to witness the perplexity and distress in which we were. At our arrival we saw the little means that were of our advancing father. There was not anywhere to go, and if there had been, the people could not move forward, because the greater part of them were sick, and there were few that could be of any use. The governor called them all to him, and of each by himself he asked his advice what to do to get out of a country so miserable, and seek elsewhere that remedy which could not here be found, a third part of the people being very sick, and the number increasing every hour. For we regarded it as certain that we should all become so, and out of it we could only pass through death, which from its coming in such a place was to us only the more terrible. These many other embarrassments considered in entertaining many plans we coincided in one great project, extremely difficult to put into operation, and that was to build vessels in which we might go away. This to all appeared impossible, for we knew not how to build, nor were there tools, nor iron, nor forge, nor toe, nor resin, nor rigging. Finally, no one thing of so many that are necessary, nor any man who had a knowledge of their manufacture, and above all there was nothing to eat the while they were making, nor any knowledge in those who would have to perform the labor. Reflecting on all this we agreed to think of the subject with more deliberation, and the discourse dropped for that day, each going his way, commending our course to God, our Lord, that he should direct it as would best serve him. The next day it was his will that one of the company should come, saying that he could make some pipe out of wood, which with deerskins might be made into bellows, and as we lived in a time when anything that had the semblance of relief appeared well, we told him to set himself to work. We assented to the making of nails, saws, axes, and other tools, of which there was such a need, from the stirrups, spurs, crossbows, and the other things of iron that there were, and we said that for support while the work was going on we would make four entries into outay, with all the horses and men that were able to go, and that every third day a horse should be killed, which should be divided among those who had labored on the work of the boats, and those that were sick. The forays were made with the people and horses that were of any use, and in them were brought back as many as four bushels of maize, but these were not got without quarrels and conflicts with the Indians. We caused to be collected many palmettoes for the benefit of the wolf or covering, twisting and preparing it for use in the place of tow for the boats. We commenced to build on the fourth with the one only carpenter in the company, and we proceeded with so great diligence that on the 20th day of September five boats were finished of 22 cubits in length each, cocked with the fiber of the palmetto. We pitched them with a certain resin, which was made from pine trees by a Greek named Don Theodoro, and from the same husk of the two palmettoes and from the tails and maines of the horses, we made ropes and rigging, and from our shirts, sails, and from the savans that grew there we made the oars that appear to us to be requisite. And such was the country in which our sins had cast us, that with very great trouble we could find stone for ballast and anchors for the boats, since in all of it we had not seen one. We flayed the horses and took off the skins of their legs entire and tanned them, to make bottles in which we might carry water. During this time some went gathering shellfish in the coves and creeks of the sea, at which the Indians twice attacked them and killed ten of our men inside of the camp, without our being able to afford them sucker. We found them traversed from side to side by the arrows, and although some had on good armor did not afford sufficient protection against the nice and powerful archery of which I have spoken before. Before we embarked, there died without enumerating those destroyed by the Indians, more than 40 men of disease and hunger. By the 22nd of the month of September, the horses had been consumed, one only remaining, and on that day we embarked in the following order. In the boat of the governor there were 49 men, and another which he gave to the controller and the commissary went others as many, the third he gave to captain Alonso del Castillo and Andres Dorantes with 48 men, and another he gave to two captains, Delez and Benial Losa, with 47 men, the last he gave to the assessor and me with 49 men. After the provision and clothes had been taken in, there remained not over a span of the gun walls above the water, and more than this, we went so crowded we could not move, so much can necessity do, which drove us to hazard our lives in this manner, running into a sea so turbulent, with not a single one that went there having the knowledge of navigation. The haven we left has for its name La Valla de Caballos. We passed waves deep in water through sands for seven days without seeing any point of the coast, and at the close of them we came to an island near the land. My boat went first, and from her we saw Indians coming in five canoes which they abandoned and left in our hands. The other boats seen as go towards them passed ahead and stopped at some houses on the island, where we found many mullet and mullet rows dried, a great relief to the distress in which we were. After taking these we went on in two leagues of vents, we discovered a straight the island banks with the land, which we named San Miguel, for having passed through it on his day. Having come out we went to the coast, where, with the five canoes had taken from the Indians, we somewhat improved the boats, making waste boards, and securing them so that the sides rose two palms above the waters. With this we turned to travel along the coast in the direction of the river Palmas, every day increasing our hunger and thirst, for the provisions were very scant, and getting near their end and the water was gone, because the bottles we made from the legs of the horses soon rotted and were useless. Sometimes we entered coves and creeps that lay far in and found them all shallow and dangerous. Thus we traveled thirty days among them, where we sometimes found Indian fishermen, a poor and miserable people. At the end of this time, while the want of water was extreme, going near the coast at night, we heard the approach of a canoe, and as we saw it, we waited its arrival, but it would not meet us, and although we called, it would not return nor wait for us. As the night was dark we did not follow it, but kept on our way. When the sun rose, we saw a small island and went to it, to see if we could find water. But our labor was vain, for it had none. Being there at anchor, a heavy storm overtook us, that detained us six days, without our daring to go to sea. As it was now five days in which we had not drunk, our thirst was so excessive, that it put us to the extremity of drinking salt water, and some of the men so greatly crazed themselves by it, that directly we had four of them die. I state this thus briefly, because I do not believe there is any necessity for particularly relating the sufferings and toils in which we found ourselves. For considering the place we were in, and the little hope we had of relief, everyone may conceive much of what would have passed there. Although the storm had not ceased, and we found that our thirst increased, and the water killed us, we resolved to commend ourselves to God our Lord, and venture the peril of the sea, rather than await the certainty of death which thirst imposed. Accordingly we went out by the way in which we had seen the canoe the night we came there. On this day we ourselves were many times overwhelmed by the waves, and in such jeopardy that there was not one who did not suppose his death certain. I return thanks to our Lord that, in the greatest dangers, he should have shown us his favour. For at sunset we doubled a point made by the sand, and found great calm and shelter. So we sailed that day, until the middle of the afternoon, when my boat, which was first, discovered a point made by the land, and against a cape opposite a broad river past. I anchored by a little island which forms the point, to await the arrival of the other boats. The governor did not choose to come up, but entered a bay nearby in which were a great many easelits. We came together there, and took freshwater from the sea, for the stream entered it impetuously. To parched some of the corn we had brought with us since we had eaten at raw for two days past, we went on the island, but as we found no wood we agreed to go to the river behind the point, which was one leg off. We were unable to get there by any effort, so violent was the current on the way, which drove us from the land, while we contended, and strove to gain it. The north wind, which came from the shore, began to blow so strongly that it drove us to sea without our able to overcome it. Half a leg out we sounded, and found that, with thirty fathoms, we could not get the bottom, but we could not be satisfied that the river was not the cause of our failure to reach it. Toiling in this manner to fetch the land, we navigated two days, and at the end of the time a little while before the sun rose, we saw many smokes along the shore. While attempting to reach them we found ourselves in three fathoms of water, and at being dark we dared not come to land. For as we had seen so many smokes we thought some danger might surprise us, and the obscurity leave us at a loss what to do. So we determined to wait until the morning, when it came the boats had all lost sight of each other. I found myself in thirty fathoms, and keeping my course until the hour of vespers, I observed two boats, and as I drew near to them I found that the first I approached was that of the governor, who asked me what I thought we should do. I told him we ought to join that boat which went in advance, and by no means to leave her, and the three being together, that we should keep on our way to where God should be pleased to direct us. He answered me, saying it could not be done, because the boat was far to sea, and he wished to reach the shore, that if I wished to follow him I should order the persons of my boat to take the oars, and work as it was only by strength of arm that the land could be gained. He was advised to this course by a captain he had with him named Pantahoa, who told him that if he did not fetch the land that day and six more days they would not reach it, and in that time they must inevitably famish. I, seeing his will, took my oar, and the same did all who were in my boat to obey it. We rode until near sunset, but as the governor carried in his boat, the healthiest men there were among the whole, we could not by any means hold with or follow her. Seeing this I asked him to give me a rope from his boat, that I might be unable to keep up with him, but he answered me that he would do little, if they as they were should be able to reach the land that night. I said to him that, since he saw the little strength we had to follow him and do what he had commanded, he should tell me what he would that I should do. He answered me, that it was no longer a time in which one should command another, but that each should do what he thought best to save his own life, that he so intended to act, and saying this he departed with his boat. As I could not follow him I steered to the other boat at sea, which waited for me, and having come up with her I found her to be the one commanded by the captains Benialosa and Teyes. Thus we continued in company, eating a daily ration of half a handful of raw maize, until the end of four days when we lost sight of each other in a storm, and such was the weather that it was only by divine favor that we did not all go down. Because of the winter and its inclimacy, the many days we had suffered hunger, and the heavy beating of the waves, the people began the next day to despair in such a manner that, when the sun went down, all who were in my boat were fallen one on another, so near to death, that there were few among them in a state of sensibility. Among them all at this time there were not five men on their feet, and when the night came there were left only the master and myself who could work the boat. At the second hour of the night he said to me that I must take charge of her, for he was in such a condition he believed that night he should die. So I took the paddle, and after midnight I went to see if the master was alive, and he said to me that he was better, and that he would take the charge until day. I declare that in that hour I would have more willingly died than seen so many people before me in such condition. After the master took direction of the boat I lay down a little while, but without repose, for nothing out that time was farther from me than sleep. Near the dawn of day it seemed to me that I heard the tumbling of the sea, for as the coast was low it roared loudly. Surprised at this I called to the master, who answered me that he believed we were near the land. We sounded, and found ourselves in seven fathoms. He thought we should keep the sea until sunrise, and accordingly I took an oar and pulled on the side of the land, until we were a league distant, and we then gave her stern to the sea. Near the shore a wave took us that knocked the boat out of the water to the distance of the throw of a crowbar, and by the violence of the blow nearly all the people who were in her like dead were aroused to consciousness. Finding themselves near the shore they began to move on hands and feet, and crawled to land in summer veins. There we made fire, partying some of the maize we brought with us, and where we found rainwater. From the warmth of the fire the people recovered their faculties, and began somewhat to exert themselves. The day on which we arrived here was the 6th of November. End of Section 18, Recording by Elsie Selwyn. Section 19 of a Book of American Explorers. This is the LibriVox Recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Elsie Selwyn. A Book of American Explorers by Thomas Wentworth Higginson. Book 4, Part 2. After the people had eaten I ordered Lope de Oviedo, who had more strength and was stouter than any of the rest, to go to some trees that were near and having climbed into one of them to survey the country in which we were, and endeavor to get some knowledge of it. He did as I bade him and made out that we were on an island. He saw that the ground was piled up in the manner that the land is want to be where cattle range, and hence it appeared to him that this should be the country of Christians and thus he reported to us. I ordered him to return to examine much more particularly, and see if there were any roads in it that were worn and without going far because of the danger there might be. He went and coming to a path he took it for the distance of half a league, and found some huts without any tenets, for the Indians had gone into the woods. He took from them an earthen pot, a little dog, some few mullets, and thus returned. It, appearing to us that he was long absent, we sent two others that they should look and see what might have befallen him. They met him nearby and saw that three Indians with bows and arrows followed and were calling to him, and he in the same way was beckoning them on. Thus they arrived where we were. The Indians remaining a little way back seated on the same bank. Half an hour after, they were supported by 50 other Indian bowmen, whom, whether large or not, our fears made giants. They stopped near us with the three first. It were idle to think there were any among us who could make defense, for it would have been difficult to find six that could raise themselves from the ground. The assessor and I went and called them, and they came to us. We endeavored the best we could to recommend ourselves to their favour and secure their good will. We gave them beads and hawk bells, and each one of them gave me an arrow, which is a pledge of friendship. They told us by signs that they would return in the morning and bring us something to eat, as at that time they had nothing. The next day at sunrise, the time the Indians had appointed, they came as they had promised and brought us a large quantity of fish and certain roots that are eaten by them are the size of walnuts, some a little larger, others a little smaller. The greater part of them got from under the water and with much labour. In the evening they returned and brought us more fish and some of the roots. They sent their women and children to look at us, who returned rich with the hawk bells and beads that we gave them, and they came afterward on other days in the same way. As we found that we had been provisioned with fish, roots, water, and other things for which we asked, we determined to embark again and pursue our course. We dug out our boat from the stand in which was buried, and it became necessary that we should all strip ourselves and go through great exertion to launch her, for we were in such state that things very much lighter suffice to make us much labour. Thus embarked at the distance of two crossbow shots in the sea, we shipped away that wet us all. As we were naked and the cold was very great, the oars loosened in our hands and the next blow, the sea struck us, capsized the boat. The assessor and two others held fast to her for preservation, but it happened to be for far otherwise, as the boat carried them over and they drowned under her. As the surf near the shore was very high, a single roll of the sea threw the remainder into the waves, and half drowned us on the shore of the island, without our losing any more than the boat had taken under. Those of us who survived escaped naked as we were born, losing all that we had, and although the whole was of little value, at that time it was worth much. As it was then in the month of November, the cold severe and our body so emaciated that the bones might have been counted with little difficulty, we had become perfect figures of death. For myself I can say that from the month of May past I had not eaten other thing than maize, and sometimes I found myself obliged to eat it unparched, for although the horses were slaughtered while the boats were being built, I never could eat of them, and I did not eat fish ten times. I state this to avoid giving excuses, and that everyone may judge in what condition we were. After all these misfortunes there came a north wind upon us, from which we were nearer to death than life. Thanks be to our Lord that looking among the brands that we had used there, we found sparks from which we made great fires, and thus we were asking mercy of Him and pardon for our transgressions, shedding many tears in each regretting, not His own fate alone, but that of His comrades about Him. As Sun said the Indians, thinking that we had not gone, came to seek us and bring us food, but when they saw us thus and applied so different from what it was formerly, and so extraordinary, they were alarmed and turned back. I went toward them and called to them, and they returned much frightened. I gave them to understand by science how our boat had sunk, and three of our number had been drowned. There before them they saw two of the departed, and those that remained were near joining them. The Indians, at sight of the disaster that had befallen us, and our state of suffering and melancholy destitution, sat down amongst us, and from the sorrow and pity they felt for us, they all began to lament, and so earnestly that they might have been heard at a distance, and they continued so doing more than half an hour. It was strange to see these men, so wild and untaught, howling like brutes over our misfortunes. It caused in me as in others an increase of feeling and a livelier sense of our calamity. There, cries having ceased, I talked with the Christians, and said that if it appeared well to them, I would beg these Indians to take us to their homes, some who had been in New Spain said that we ought not to think of it, for if we should do so they would sacrifice us to their idols. But seeing no better course than that any other led to nearer and more certain death, I disregarded what was said, and besought the Indians to take us to their dwellings. They signified that it would give them great delight, and that we should tarry a little, that we might do what we asked. Presently thirty of them loaded themselves with wood, and started for their houses, which were far off, and we remained with the others until near night, when, holding us up, they carried us with all haste. Because of the extreme coldness of the weather, lest anyone should die or fail by the way, they caused four or five large fires to be placed at intervals, and at each one of them they warmed us, and when we saw that we had regained some strength and warmth, they took us to the next so swiftly that they hardly permitted us to put our feet to the ground. In this manner we went as far as their habitations, where we found that they had made a house for us with many fires in it. An hour after our arrival, they began to dance and hold great rejoicing, which lasted all night, although for us there was no joy, appetite, or sleep awaiting the time they should make us victims. In the morning they again gave us fish and roots, and showed us such hospitality that we were reassured, and lost somewhat the fear of the sacrifice. End of section 19. Section 20 of a book of American explorers. This is a LibriVox recording. Our LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Elsie Selwyn. A book of American explorers by Thomas Wentworth Higginson. Book four, part three. Cabeza de Baca's captivity. The 80 men taken by the Indians were soon reduced by death to 15. These were made slaves and were severely treated. I was obliged to remain with the people of the island more than a year, and because of the hard work they put upon me, and their harsh treatment I determined to flee from them, and go to those of Charuchco who inhabit the forests and country of the Maine, for the life I led was insupportable. Beside much other labour, I had to get out roots from below the water, and from among the cane where it grew in the ground. From this employment I had my fingers so worn that, did a straw but touch them it would draw blood. Many of the canes were broken, so that they often tore my flesh, and I had to go in the midst of them with only the clothing on me I have mentioned. Accordingly I put myself to work to get over to the other Indians, and afterward while I was with them, affairs changed for me somewhat more favourably. I set myself to trafficking, and strove to turn my employment to profit in the ways I could best contrive. And by this means I got from the Indians food and good treatment. They would beg me to go from one part to another for things of which they have need. For in consequence of continual hostilities they cannot travel the country nor make many exchanges. With my merchandise and trade I went into the interior as far as I pleased, and I travelled along the coast forty or fifty leagues. The chief of my wares was pieces of sea snails and their cones, conks, that are used for cutting, and a fruit like a bean of the highest value among them, which they use as a medicine and employ in their dances and festivities. There are sea beads also and other articles. Such were what I carried into the interior, and in barter for them I brought back skins, ochre, with which they rub and colour their faces, and flint for arrow-points, cement and hard canes of which to make arrows, and castles that are made of the hair of deer ornamented and dyed red. This occupation suited me well, for the travel gave me liberty to go where I wished. I was not obliged to work and was not a slave. Wherever I went I received fair treatment, and the Indians gave me to eat for the sake of my commodities. My leading object while journeying in this business was to find out the way by which I should have to go forward, and I became well known to the inhabitants. They were pleased when they saw me, and I had brought for them what they wanted, and those that did not know me sought and desired my acquaintance for my reputation. The hardships that I underwent in this it were too long to tell, as well as of peril and probation, as of storms and cold. Many of them found me in the wilderness and alone, but I came forth from them all by the great mercy of God, our Lord. Because of them I ceased to pursue the business in winter, for it is a season in which the natives themselves retire to their villages and huts, sluggish and incapable of exertion. I was in this country nearly six years, alone among the Indians, and naked like them. The reason why I remained so long was that I might take with me from the island the Christian Lope de Obiedo. De Alines, his companion, who had been left with him by Alonso del Castillo, Andrés Durantes, and the rest, died soon after their departure, and to get the survivor out from there I went over to the island every year and entreated him that we should go, and the way we could best contrive in quest of Christians he put me off every year, saying that in the next coming we would go. Alas I got him off, crossing him over the bay and over four rivers, there are in the coast, as he could not swim. In this way we went on with some Indians until coming to a bay a league in width and everywhere deep. From its appearance we supposed it to be that which they call Espiritu Santo. We met some Indians on the other side of it who came to visit ours, and they told us that beyond them there were three men like us and gave their names, and we asked them for the others, and they told us that they were all dead of cold and hunger, that the Indians farther on, of whom they had for their diversion killed Diego Durantes Bal de Bezo, and Diego de Huelva, because they left one house for another, and that other Indians, their neighbors, with whom Captain Durantes now was, had in consequence of a dream killed Esquivel and Mendez. We asked them how the living were situated, and they answered us that they were very ill used, for that the boys and some of the Indian men were very idle, and of cruelty gave them severe kicks, cuffs, and blows with sticks, and that such was the life they let among them. We desired to be informed of the country ahead and of the substance in it, and they said there was nothing in it to eat, and it was thin of people who suffered of cold, having no skins or other things to cover them. They told us also if we wished to see those three Christians two days from that time, the Indians who had them would come to eat walnuts a leak from there, on the margin of that river, and that we might know what they had told us of the old usage to be true. They slapped my companion and beat him with a stick, and I was not left without my portion. They frequently threw fragments of maradas, and every day they put their arrows to our hearts, saying that they were inclined to kill us in the way they had destroyed our friends. Lope Obiedo, my comrade, in fear, said that he wished to go back with the women who had crossed the bay with us, the men having remained some distance behind. I contended strongly with him against his returning, and I urged many objections, but in no way could I keep him, so he went rack, and I remained alone with those savages. End of section 20. Section 21 of a book of American explorers. This is the LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org, recording by Elsie Selwyn. A Book of American Explorers by Thomas Wentworth Higginson. Book 4, Part 4. The Indians of the Gulf of Mexico. These are the most watchful and dangerous of any people have ever seen. If they fear an enemy, they are awake the night long, with each a bow by his side and a dozen arrows. He that sleeps tries his bow, and if it is not strong, he gives the turn necessary to the cord. They often come out from their houses, bending to the ground in such manner, that they cannot be seen, and look and watch on all sides to catch every object. If they perceive anything about, they are all in the bushes with their bows and arrows, and there they remain until day, running from place to place where it is useful to be, or where they think their enemies are. When the light has come, they unbend their bows until they go out to hunt. The strings are of the sinews of deer. The method they have of fighting is lying low to the earth, and whilst they shoot, they move about speaking and leaping from one point to another, screening themselves from the shafts of their enemies. So effectual is this maneuvering, that they can receive very little injury from crossbow or archibus, but they rather scoff at them, for these arms are of little value employed in open field where the Indians go loosely. They are proper for defiles, and in water, everywhere else the horses will be found the most effective, and are what the natives universally fear. Whosoever would fight against them must be cautious to show no weakness or desire for anything that is theirs, and whilst war exists, they must be treated with the utmost severity, for if they discover any timidity or covetousness, they are a race that will discern the opportunities for vengeance and gather strength from the fear of their adversaries. When they use arrows and battle and exhaust their store, each returns by his own way without the one party following the other, although the one be many and the other few, for such is their custom. Oftentimes their bodies are traversed from side to side by arrows, and they do not die of the wounds, but soon become well, unless the entrails or the heart be struck. I believe they see and hear better and have keener senses than any people there are in the world. They are great in the endurance of hunger, thirst, and cold, as if they were made for these more than others by habit and nature. Thus much I have wished to say beyond the gratification of that desire which men have to learn the customs and manners of each other, that those who hereafter at some time find themselves amongst these people may be intelligent and their usages and artifice, the value of which they will not find inconsiderable in such event. End of section 21. Section 22 of A Book of American Explorers. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org, recording by Elsie Selwyn. A Book of American Explorers by Thomas Wentworth Higginson. Book 4, Part 5. Cabeza de Baca's Escape. After getting away from his first captors, he came among Indians who thought that he and his comrades must have come from heaven because of their superior knowledge. He thus describes them. We left these and traveled through so many sorts of people of such diverse languages that the memory fails to recall them. They ever plundered each other, and those that lost, like those that gained, were fully content. We drew so many followers after us that we had not used for their services. While on our way through these vows, each of the Indians carried a club three palms in length and kept himself on the alert. Unraising a hair which are abundant, they surround it directly and numerous clubs are thrown at it, and with a precision astonishing to see. In this way, they cause it to run from one to another so that, according to my thinking, it is the most pleasing sport that can be conceived of, as oftentimes the animal runs into the hand. So many of them did they give us that at night when we stopped, each one of us had eight or ten back loads. Those who had bows were not with us but dispersed about the ridge and quest of deer, and when they came at night they brought five or six for each of us besides birds, the quail, and other game. Indeed, all that they found or killed they put before us without themselves daring to take anything until we blessed it, though they should be dying of hunger, for they had so established the custom since marching with us. The women carried many mats, of which the men made our houses, each of us having a separate one with all his attendants. After these were put up, we ordered the deer and herres to be roasted with the rest that had been taken. This was soon done by means of certain ovens made for the purpose, we took a little of each and the remainder we gave to the principal personages that came with us, directing them to divide them among the rest. Every one brought his portion to us that we should give it our benediction, for not until then dared they to eat of it. Frequently we were accompanied by three or four thousand persons, and as we had to breathe upon and sanctify the food and drink for each, and give them permission to do the many things they would come to ask, it may be seen how great to us were the trouble and annoyance. The women first brought us the pears, spiders, worms, and whatever else they could gather, for even if they were famishing, they would eat nothing unless we gave it to them. In company with these we crossed a great river coming from the north, and passing over some plains thirty leagues in the extent, we found many persons who came from a great distance to receive us, and they met us on the road over which we had to travel, and received us in the manner of those we had left. We told them to conduct us toward the north, and they answered us as they had done before, saying that, in that direction, there were no people except afar off, that there was nothing to eat, nor could water be found. Notwithstanding all this, we persisted, and said that in that course we desired to go, and they still tried to excuse themselves in the best manner possible. At this we became offended, and one night I went out to sleep in the woods apart from them, but they directly went to where I was and remained there all night without sleeping, and in great fear talking to me and telling me how terrified they were, beseeching us to be no longer angry, and that they know they should die on the way they would nevertheless lead us in the direction we desired to go. Whilst we still feigned to be displeased that their fright might not lead them, there happened a remarkable circumstance which was that on this same day many of them became ill, and the next day eight men died. Abroad in the country where so ever this became known, there was such dread that it seemed as if the inhabitants outside of us would die of fear. They beseeched us that we would not remain angered, nor require that many of them should die, they believed that we caused their death by only willing it, one in truth that gave us so much pain that it could not be greater. For beyond the loss of them that died, we feared they might all die, or abandoned us out of fear, and all other people thenceforward should do the same, seeing what had come to these. We prayed to God our Lord that he would relieve them, and thenceforth all those that were sick began to get better. From that place onward there was another usage that those who knew of our approach did not come out to receive us on the roads as the others had done, but we found them in their houses and others they had made for our reception. They were all seated with their faces turned to the wall, their heads down, and the hair brought before their eyes, and their property placed in a heap in the middle of their houses. From this place forward they began to give us many blankets of skin, and they had nothing that they did not give to us. They had the finest persons of any that we saw, and of the greatest activity and strength, and were those who best understood us and intelligently answered our inquiries. We called them los de las vacas, the cow nation, because most of the cattle that are killed are destroyed in their neighborhood, and along up the river over 50 leaks they kill great numbers. Cabeza de vaca crossed the Mississippi, or passed its mouth many years before de Soto reached it. Having finally arrived at the city of Mexico it was sent home to Europe and reached Lisbon August 15th, 1537. His later adventures will be found in Suthi's history of Brazil, chapter 5. End of section 22. Section 23 of a book of American explorers. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Sabrina Antonelli. Montreal. All voices international. All voices intl.com. A book of American explorers. By Thomas Wentworth Higginson. Section 23. Book 5. The French in Canada. A.D. 1534 to 1536. 1. Cartier's visit to Bay of Chaleur. Jacques Cartier was born in 1494 at Saint-Malo. A principal port of Brittany, France. He was bred to the sea and having made fishing voyages to the grand banks of Labrador, he desired to make an exploration further west. For this purpose, an expedition was fitted out by King Francis I of France as is described below. The first relation of Jacques Cartier of Saint-Malo of the new land called New France newly discovered in the year of our lord 1534. After that, Sir Charles of Mouillie, Knight, Lord of Maillere and Vice Admiral of France had caused the captains, masters and mariners of the ships to be sworn to behave themselves faithfully in the service of the most Christian king of France. Under the charge of the said Cartier we departed from the port of Saint-Malo with two ships of three score tons apiece burden and 61 well appointed men in each one. Cartier sailed first to Newfoundland and then made further discoveries. Upon Thursday being the 8th of the month because the wind was not good to go out with our ships, we set our boats in a readiness to go and discover the Saint Bay and that day we went 25 leagues within it. The next day, the wind and weather being fair we sailed until noon in which time we had noticed of a great part of Saint Bay and how that over the lowlands there were other lands with high mountains. But seeing that there was no passage at all we began to turn back again taking our way along the coast and sailing we saw certain wild men that stood upon the shore of a lake that is among the low grounds who were making fires and smoke. We went thither and found that there was a channel of the sea that did enter into the lake and setting our boats at one of the banks of the channel the wild men with one of their boats came on to us and brought up pieces of seals ready sodden putting them upon pieces of wood. Then retiring themselves they would make signs on to us that they did give them us. We sent two men on to them with hatchets, knives, beads and other such like ware. Where at they were very glad and by and by in clusters they came to the shore where we were with their boats bringing with them skins and other such things as they had to have of our wares. There were more than 300 men women and children some of the women which came not over we might see stand up to the knees in water singing and dancing. The other that had passed the river where we were came very friendly to us rubbing our arms with their own hands then they would lift them up towards heaven showing many signs of gladness and in such wise were we assured one of another that we very familiarly began to traffic for whatsoever they had till they had nothing but their naked bodies for they gave us all whatsoever they had and that was but of small value. We perceived that these people might very easily be converted to our religion they go from place to place they live only with fishing they have an ordinary time to fish for their provision. The country is hotter than the country of Spain and the fairest that can possibly be found altogether smooth and level. There is no place be it's never so little but it has some threes yeah all bite it be sandy or else is full of wild corn that has an ear like Antorai the corn is like oats and small peas as thick as if they had been sawn and plowed white and red gooseberries strawberries blackberries white and red roses with many other flowers or very sweet and pleasant smell there be also many goodly meadows full of grass and lakes where in great plenty of salmons be they call a hatchet in their tongue Cochi and a knife Bakken we named it the Bay of Heat End of section 23 recording by Sabrina Antonelli all voices intl.com section 24 a book of American explorers this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org recording by Rita Butros a book of American explorers by Thomas Wentworth Higginson book five the French in Canada part two Cartier sets up a cross upon the 24th of the month we caused a fair high cross to be made of the height of 30 feet which was made in the presence of many of them upon the point of the entrance of the said haven in the midst whereof we hanged up a shield with three floor-de-lis in it and in the top was carved in the wood with antique letters this posy Viva le Roi de France then before them all we set it upon the said point they with great heat beheld both the making and setting of it up so soon as it was up we all together kneeled down before them with our hands toward heaven yielding God thanks and we made signs unto them showing them the heavens and that all our salvation depended only on him which in them dwelleth whereat they showed a great admiration looking first one at another and then upon the cross and after we were returned to our ships their captain clad with an old bear's skin with three of his sons and a brother of his with him came unto us in one of their boats but they came not so near us as they were want to do there he made a long oration unto us showing us the cross we had set up and making a cross with his two fingers then did he show us all the country about us as if he would say that all was his and that we should not set up any cross without his leave his talk being ended we showed him an axe feigning that we would give it to him for his skin to which he listened for by little and little he came near our ships one of our fellows that was in our boat took hold on theirs and suddenly leaped into it with two or three more who enforced them to enter into our ships where at they were greatly astonished but our captain did straight way assure them that they should have no harm nor any injury offered them at all and entertain them very friendly making them eat and drink then did we show them with signs that the cross was only set up to be as a light and leader which ways to enter into the port and that we would shortly come again and bring good store of iron wares and other things but that we would take two of his children with us and afterward bring them to the said port again and so we closed two of them in shirts and colored coats with red caps and put about everyone's neck a copper chain where at they were greatly contented then gave they their old clothes to the fellows that went back again and we gave to each one of those three that went back a hatchet and some knives which made them very glad after these were gone and had told the news unto their fellows in the afternoon there came to our ships six boats of them with five or six men in every one to take their farewells of those two we had detained to take with us and brought them some fish uttering many words which we did not understand making signs that they would not remove the cross we had set up end of section 24 section 25 a book of American explorers this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org recording by Rita Butros a book of American explorers by Thomas Wentworth Higginson book 5 the French in Canada part 3 Cartier ascends the St. Lawrence as far as Quebec this took place on Cartier's second voyage he sailed from St. Malo May 19th, 1535 and reached the mouth of the St. Lawrence which he ascended hoping to find a passage to the west our captain then caused our boats to be set in order that with the next tide he might go up higher into the river to find some safe harbor for our ships and we passed up the river against the stream about ten leagues coasting the said island at the end whereof we found a goodly and pleasant sound where is a little river and haven where by reason of the flood there was about three fathoms water this place seemed very fit and commodious to harbor our ships therein and so we did very safely we named it the Holy Cross for on that day we came thither near unto it there is a village whereof Donacona is lord and there he keepeth his abode it is called Stadacona as goodly a plot of ground as possibly may be seen and therewithal very fruitful full of goodly trees even as in France as oaks, elms, ashes, walnut trees, maple trees, citrons, vines, and white thorns that bring forth fruit as big as any damsons and many other sorts of trees under which groweth as fair tall hemp as any in France without any seed or any man's work or labor at all having considered the place and finding it fit for our purpose our captain withdrew himself on purpose to return to our ships but behold as we were coming out of the river we met coming against us one of the lords of said village of Stadacona accompanied with many others as men women and children who after the fashion of their country in sign of mirth and joy began to make a long oration the women still singing and dancing up to the knees in water our captain knowing their goodwill and kindness toward us caused the boat wherein they were to come unto him and gave them certain trifles as knives and beads of glass where at they were marvelous glad for being gone about three leaks from them for the pleasure they conceived of our coming we might hear them sing and see them dance for all they were so far the next day we departed with our ships to bring them to the place of the Holy Cross and on the 14th of that month we came thither and the Lord Donacona Tegdo Agni and Domagugea with 25 boats full of those people came to meet us coming from the place whence we were come and going toward Stadacona where their abiding is and all came to our ships showing sundry and diverse gestures of gladness and mirth except those two that we had brought to wit Tegdo Agni and Domagugea who seemed to have altered and changed their mind and purpose for by no means they would come unto our ships albeit sundry times they were earnestly desired to do it whereupon we began to distrust somewhat our captain asked them if according to promise they would go with him to Hakelaga they answered yea for so they had purposed and then each one withdrew himself the next day being the 15th of the month our captain went on shore to cause certain poles and piles to be driven into the water and set up that the better and safer we might harbour our vessels there the day following we brought our two great ships within the river and harbour where the waters being at the highest are three fathoms deep and at the lowest but half a fathom we left our pinnace without the road to the end we might bring it to Hakelaga so soon as we had safely placed our ships behold we saw Donacona Tegdo Agni and Doma Gaia with more than 500 persons men women and children and the said lord with 10 or 12 of the chiefest of the country came aboard of our ships who were all courteously received and friendly entertained both of our captain and of us all and diverse gifts of small value were given them then did Tegdo Agni tell our captain that his lord did greatly sorrow that he would go to Hakelaga and that he would not by any means permit that any of them should go with him because the river was of no importance our captain answered him that for all his saying he would not leave off his going thither if by any means it were possible for that he was commanded by his king to go as far as possibly he could and that if he that is to say Tegdo Agni would go with him as he had promised he should be very well entertained beside that he should have such a gift given him as he should well content himself for he should do nothing else but go with him to Hakelaga and come again to whom Tegdo Agni answered that he would not by any means go and thereupon they suddenly returned to their houses the next day being the 17th of September Dona Kona and his party returned even as at the first after that our captain caused the said children to be put in our ships and caused two swords and copper basins the one wrought the other plane to be brought unto him and them he gave to Dona Kona who was therewith greatly contented yielding most hearty thanks unto our captain for them and presently upon that he commanded all his people to sing and dance and desired our captain to cause a piece of artillery to be shot off because Tegno Agni and Domaga Ia made great brags of it and had told them marvelous things and also because they had never seen nor heard any before to whom our captain answered that he was content and by and by he commanded his men to shoot off 12 cannons charged with bullets into the wood that was hard by those people and ships at whose noise they were greatly astonished and amazed for they thought that heaven had fallen upon them and put themselves to flight howling and crying and shrieking so that it seemed hell was broken loose End of section 25 section 26 a book of American explorers This is a LibriVox recording All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Recording by Rita Butros A Book of American Explorers by Thomas Wentworth Higginson Book 5 The French in Canada Part 4 How the Indians Try to Frighten Cartier The next day being the 18th of September these men still endeavored themselves to seek all means possible to hinder and let our going to Hakelega and devise a pretty guile as hereafter shall be showed They went and dressed three men like devils wrapped in dog skins white and black their faces be smeared as black as any coals with horns on their heads more than a yard long and caused them secretly to be put in one of their boats but came not near our ships as they were want to do for they lay hidden within the wood for the space of two hours looking for the tide to the end the boat wherein the devils were might approach and come near us which when the time was came and all the rest issued out of the wood coming to us but yet not so near as they were want to do Then began Tegno Agni to salute our captain who asked him if he would have the boat to come for him he answered not for that time but after a while he would come unto our ships then presently came that boat rushing out wherein the three counterfeit devils were with such long horns on their heads at the middlemost came making a long oration and passed along our ships without turning or looking towards us but with the boat went toward the land then did Danakona with all his people pursue them and lay hold on the boat and devils who so soon as the men were come to them fell prostrate in the boat even as if they had been dead then were they taken up and carried into the wood being but a stones cast off then everyone withdrew himself into the wood not one staying behind with us where being they began to make a long discourse so loud that we might hear them in our ships which lasted about half an hour and being ended we began to espy Tagno Agni and Domaga Ea coming towards us holding their hands upward joined together carrying their hats under their upper garment showing a great admiration and Tagne Agni looking up to heaven cried three times Jesus Jesus Jesus and Domaga Ea doing as his fellow had done before cried Jesus Maria James Cartier our captain hearing them and seeing their gestures and ceremonies asked of them what they held and what was happened or chance to knew they answered that there were very ill tidings befallen saying in French néni est il bon that is to say it was not good our captain asked them again what it was they answered they that their god Kudru Agni had spoken in Haka Laga and that he had sent those three men to show unto them that there was so much ice and snow in that country that whosoever went thither should die which words when we heard we laughed and mocked them saying that their god Kudru Agni was but a fool and a naughty for he knew not what he did or said then bad we them show his messages from us that Christ would defend them from all cold if they would believe in him then did they ask of our captain if he had spoken with Jesus he answered no but that his priest had and that he had told them he should have fair weather which words when they had heard they thanked our captain and departed toward the wood to tell those news unto their fellows who suddenly came all rushing out of the wood seeming to be very glad for those words that our captain had spoken and to show that thither by they had had and felt great joy so soon as they were before our ships they all together gave out three great shrieks and thereupon began to sing and dance as they were want to do but for a resolution of the matter Tagne Agni and Domaga Ia told our captain that their lord Danakona would by no means that any of them should go with him to Hakelaga unless he would leave them some hostage to stay with them our captain answered them that if they would not go with him with a good will they should stay and that for all of them he would not leave off his journey thither End of Section 26 Section 27 A Book of American Explorers This is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org recording by Rita Butros A Book of American Explorers by Thomas Wentworth Higginson Book 5 The French in Canada Part 5 How Cartier reached Hakelaga now Montreal at last so soon as we were come near to Hakelaga there came to meet us about a thousand persons men women and children who afterward did as friendly and merrily entertain and receive us as any father would do his child which he had not of long time seen the men dancing on one side the women on another and likewise the children on another after that they brought us great store of fish and of their bread made of millet casting them into our boats so thick that you would have thought it to fall from heaven which when our captain saw he with many of his company went on shore so soon as ever we were a land they came clustering about us making very much of us bringing their young children in their arms only to have our captain and his company to touch them making signs and shows of great mirth and gladness that lasted more than half an hour our captain seeing their loving kindness and entertainment of us caused all the women orderly to be set in array and gave them beads made of tin and other such small trifles and to some of the men he gave knives then he returned to the boats to supper and so past that night all which while all these people stood on the shore as near our boats as they might making great fires and dancing very merrily still crying a guise which in their tongue signifyeth mirth and safety our captain the next day very early in the morning having very gorgeously attired himself caused all his company to be set in order to go to see the town and habitation of those people and a certain mountain that is somewhat near the city with whom went also five gentlemen and twenty mariners leaving the rest to keep and look to our boats we took with us three men of Hakelaga to bring us to the place all along as we went we found the way as well beaten and frequented as can be the fairest and best country that possibly can be seen full of as goodly great oaks as are in any wood in France under which the ground was all covered over with fair acorns after we had gone about four or five miles we met by the way one of the chiefest lords of the city accompanied with many more who so soon as he saw us beckoned and made signs upon us that we must rest us in that place where they had made a great fire and so we did after that we had rested ourselves there a while the said lord began to make a long discourse even as we have said above they are accustomed to do in sign of mirth and friendship showing our captain and all his company a joyful countenance and goodwill who gave him two hatchets a pair of knives and a cross which he made him to kiss and then put it about his neck for which he gave our captain hearty thanks this done we went alone and about a mile and a half farther we began to find goodly and large fields full of such corn as the country yielded it is even as the millet of brazil as great and somewhat bigger than small peas wherewith they live even as we do with ours in the midst of those fields is the city of haka laga placed near and as it were joined to a great mountain that is tilled round about very fertile on the top of which you may see very far we named it mount royal the city of haka laga is round compassed about with timber with three cores of ramp ears one within another framed like a sharp spire but laid across above the middle most of them is made and built as a direct line but perpendicular the ramp ears are framed and fashioned with pieces of timber laid along on the ground very well and cunningly joined together after their fashion this enclosure is in height about two rods it hath but one gate or entry there at which is shut with piles stakes and bars over it and also in many places of the wall there be places to run along and ladders to get up all full of stones for the defense of it there are in the town about 50 houses about 50 paces long and 12 or 15 broad built all of wood covered over with the bark of the wood as broad as any boards very finely and cunningly joined together within the said houses there are many rooms lodgings and chambers in the midst of every one there is a great court in the middleware of they make their fire they live in common together then do the husband's wives and children each one retire themselves to their chambers they have also on the top of their houses certain garrets wherein they keep their corn to make their bread with all they call it caracony which they make as hereafter shall follow they have certain pieces of wood made hollow like those where on we beat our hemp and with certain beetles of wood they beat their corn to powder then they make paste of it and of the paste cakes or wreaths then they lay them on a broad and hot stone and then cover it with hot stones and so they bake their bread instead of ovens end of section 27 section 28 a book of American explorers this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org recording by Rita Butros a book of American explorers by Thomas Wentworth Higginson book five The French in Canada part six the festivities at Haka Laga so soon as we were come near the town a great number of the inhabitants thereof came to present themselves before us after their fashion making very much of us we were by our guides brought into the midst of the town they have in the middlemost part of their houses a large square place being from side to side a good stone's cast whether we were brought and there with signs were commanded to stay then suddenly all the women and maidens of the town gathered themselves together part of which had their arms full of young children and as many as could came to rub our faces our arms and what part of the body so ever they could touch weeping for very joy that they saw us showing us the best countenance that possibly they could desiring us with their signs that it would please us to touch their children that done the men caused the women to withdraw themselves back then they everyone sat down on the ground round about us as if they would have shown and rehearsed some comedy or other show then presently came the women again everyone bringing a large square mat in manner of carpets and spreading abroad on the ground in that place they caused us to sit upon them that done the lord and king of the country was brought upon nine or ten men's shoulders whom in their tongue they call Aguhana sitting upon a great stag's skin and they laid him down upon the four said mats near to the captain everyone beckoning unto us that he was their lord and king this Aguhana was a man about 50 years old he was no which better apparel than any of the rest only except he had a certain thing made of the skins of hedgehogs like a red wreath and that was instead of his crown he was full of the palsy and his members shrunk together after he had with certain signs saluted our captain and all his company and by manifest tokens bid all welcome he showed his legs and arms to our captain and with signs desired him to touch them and so he did rubbing them with his own hands then did Aguhana take the wreath or crown he had about his head and gave it unto our captain that done they brought before him diverse diseased men some blind some cripple some lame and impotent and some so old that the hair of their eyelids came down and covered their cheeks and laid them all along before our captain to the end they might of him be touched for it seemed unto them that God was dissented and come down from heaven to heal them our captain seeing the misery and devotion of this poor people recited the gospel of saint John that is to say in the beginning was the word touching everyone that was diseased praying to God that it would please him to open the hearts of this poor people and to make them know his holy word and that they might receive baptism and Christendom that done he took a service book in his hand and with a loud voice read all the passion of Christ word by word that all the standards by might hear him all which while this poor people kept silence and were marvelously attentive looking up to heaven and imitating us in gestures then he caused the men all orderly to be set on one side the women on another and likewise the children on another and to the chiefest of them he gave hatchets to the other knives and to the women beads and such other small trifles then where the children were he cast rings counters and brooches made of tin where at they seemed to be very glad that done our captain commanded trumpets and other musical instruments to be sounded which when they heard they were very merry then we took our leave and went to our boat the women seeing that put themselves before to stay us and brought us out of their meats that they were made ready for us as fish potage beans and such other things thinking to make us eat and dine in that place but because the meats had no savor at all of salt we liked them not but thanked them and with signs gave them to understand that we had no need to eat when we were out of the town diverse of the men and women followed us and brought us to the top of the fore said mountain which we named mount royal it is about a leak from the town when as we were on the top of it we might discern and plainly see 30 leaks about on the north side of it there are many hills to be seen running west and east and as many more on the south amongst and between the which the country is as fair and as pleasant as possibly can be seen being level smooth and very plain fit to be husbanded and tilled and in the midst of these fields we saw the river farther up a great way than where we had left our boats where was the greatest and the swiftest fall of water that anywhere hath been seen and as great wide and large as our sight might discern going southwest along three fair and round mountains that we saw as we judged about 15 leagues from us those which brought us thither told and showed us that in the said river there were three such falls of water more as that was where we had left our boats but because we could not understand their language we could not know how far they were one from another moreover they showed us with signs that the three said falls being passed a man might sail the space of three months more along that river and that along the hills that are on the north side there is a great river which even as the other coming from the west we thought it to be the river that runneth through the country of Saguenay Cartier afterwards returned to the harbor of the Holy Cross where he and his men passed the winter of 1535 to 36 with much suffering there were the first Europeans to pass the winter in the northern part of North America the French claim to the possession of this continent was founded on Cartier's discoveries the expedition reached St. Malo on its return July 16th 1536 end of section 28 section 29 of a book of American explorers this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org recording by Rita Butros a book of American explorers by Thomas Wentworth Higginson book six The Adventures of De Soto AD 1538 to 1542 these extracts are taken from the worthy and famous history of the travels discovery and conquest of Terra Florida accomplished and effected by that worthy general and captain Don Ferdinando de Soto and 600 Spaniards his followers reprinted by Hackloot Society 1851 pages 9 to 16 27 to 32 89 to 92 120 to 122 125 to 127 this is a translation made by Hackloot in 1609 of a narrative by one of the companions of De Soto first published in 1557 part one How De Soto Set Sail Captain Soto was the son of a squire of exerces of Badajoz he went into the Spanish Indies when Peter Arias of Avila was governor of the West Indies and there he was without anything else of his own save his sword and target and for his good qualities and valor Peter Arias made him captain of a troop of horsemen and by his commandment he went with Fernando Pizado to the conquest of Peru where as many persons of credit reported which were there present he passed all other captains and principal persons for which cause besides his part of the treasure of Atabalipa he had a good share where by in time he gathered and hundred and four score dockets together with that which fell to his part which he brought into Spain the emperor made him the governor of the Isle of Cuba and Adolentado or president of Florida with a title of marquees of certain parts of the lands that he should conquer when Don Fernando had obtained the government there came a gentleman from the Indies to the court named de Cabiza de Vaca which had been with the governor Pamphilo de Narvez which died in Florida who reported that Narvez was cast away at sea with all the company that went with him and how he with four more escaped and arrived in New Spain and he brought a relation in writing of that which he had seen in Florida which said in some places in such a place I have seen this and the rest which here I saw I leave to confer of between his majesty and myself and he informed them that it was the richest country in the world Don Fernando Soto was very desirous to have him with him and made him a favorable offer and after they were agreed because Soto gave him not a sum of money which he demanded to buy a ship they broke off again the Portuguese departed from Elvas the 15th of January and came to Seville the 19th of the same month and went to the lodging of the governor and entered into a court over the which there were certain galleries where he was who came down and received them at the stairs whereby they went up into the galleries when he was come up he commanded chairs to be given them to sit on and Andrew de Vasconcelos told him who he and the other Portuguese were and how they all were come to accompany him and serve him in his voyage he gave him thanks and made show of great contentment for his coming and offer and the table being already laid he invited them to dinner and being at dinner he commanded his steward to seek a lodging for them near unto his own where they might be lodged the adelantado departed from Seville to St. Lucar with all the people which were to go with him and he commanded a muster to be made at the which the Portuguese showed themselves armed in very bright armor and the Castilians very gallant with silk upon silk with many pinkings and cuts the governor because these braveries in such an action did not like him commanded that they should muster another day and everyone should come forth with his armor at the which the Portuguese came as at the first with very good armor the governor placed them in order near unto the standard which the ensign bearer carried the Castilians for the most part did wear very bad and rusty shirts of mail and all of them headpieces and steel caps and very bad lances and some of them sought to come among the Portuguese so those passed and were counted and enrolled which Soto liked and accepted of and did accompany him into Florida which were in all six hundred men he had already bought seven ships and had all necessary provision aboard them he appointed captains and delivered to everyone his ship and gave them in a role what people everyone should carry with them in the year of our lord 1538 in the month of April the Adalantado delivered his ships to the captains which were to go in them and took for himself a new ship and good of sail and gave another to Andrew de Vasconcelos in which the Portuguese went he went over the bar of San Lucar on Sunday being San Lazarus Day in the morning of the month and year of foresaid with great joy commanding his trumpets to be sounded and many shots of the ordinance to be discharged End of section 29 Book 6 Adventures of De Soto 1538 to 1542 Part 2 De Soto attacks the Indians and finds a fellow countryman from the town of Yuceta the governor sent the arcade mayor Baltasar de Gallegos with 40 horsemen and 80 footmen into the country to see if they could take any Indians and the captain John Rodriguez Lobio another way with 50 footmen the most of them were swordsmen and targetiers and the rest were shot and crossbow men they passed through a country full of bogs where horses could not travel half a league from the camp they lighted upon certain cabins of Indians near a river the people that were in them leapt into the river yet they took four Indian women and 20 Indians charged us and so distressed us that we were forced to retire to our camp being as they are exceeding ready with their weapons it is a people so warlike and so nimble that they care not a whit for any footmen for if their enemies charge them they run away and if they turn their backs they are presently upon them and the thing they most flee is the shot of an arrow they never stand still but are always running and traversing from one place to another by reason where of neither crossbow nor arch boosts can aim at them and before one crossbow man can make one shot an Indian will discharge three or four arrows and he seldom misseth what he shooteth at an arrow where it findeth no armor pierceth as deeply as a crossbow their bows are very long and their arrows are made of certain canes like reeds very heavy and so strong that a sharp cane passeth through a target some they arm in the point with a sharp bone of a fish like a chisel and in others they fasten certain stones like points of diamonds for the most part when they light upon an armor they can break in the place where they are bound together those of cane do split and pierce a coat of mail and are more hurtful than the other John Rodriguez Lobio returned to the camp with six men wounded where of one died and brought the four Indian women which Bultazar Gallegos had taken in the cabins or cottages two leagues from the town coming into the plain field he aspired 10 or 11 Indians among whom was a Christian which was naked and scorched with the sun and had his arms raised after the manner of the Indians and differed nothing at all from them and as soon as the horsemen saw them they ran toward them the Indians fled and some of them hit themselves in a wood and they overtook two or three of them which were wounded and the Christian seeing an horseman run upon him with his lance began to cry out Sirs, I am a Christian slay me not nor these Indians for they have saved my life and straight away he called them and put them out of fear and they came forth of the wood unto them the horsemen took both the Christian and the Indians up behind them and toward night came into the camp with much joy which thing being known by the governor and them that they remained in the camp they were received with the like end of section 30 section 31 of a book of American explorers this is a LibriVox recording a LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org recording by Dion Giants Southlake City, Utah a book of American explorers by Thomas Wentworth Higginson book six part three the story of John Ortiz this Christian's name was John Ortiz and he was born in Sevilla in worshipful parentage he was 12 years in the hands of the Indians he came into this country with Pamphilo de Narvez and returned in the ships to the island of Cuba where the wife of the governor Pamphilo de Narvez was and by his commandment with 20 or 30 in a brigantine returned back again to Florida and coming to the port in the sight of the town on the shore they saw a cane sticking in the ground and ribbon at the top and a letter in it and they believed that the governor had left it there to give advertisement of himself when he resolved to go up into the land and they demanded it of four or five Indians which walked along the seashore and they bade them by signs to come on shore for it which against the will of the rest John Ortiz and another did and as soon as they were on land from the houses of the town issued a great number of Indians which compassed them about and took them in a place where they could not flee and the other which sought to defend himself they presently killed upon the place and took John Ortiz alive and carried him to Yusida their lord and those of the brigantine sought not to land but put themselves to sea and returned to the island of Cuba Yusida commanded to bind John Ortiz hand and foot upon four stakes aloft upon a raft and to make a fire under him that there he might be burned but a daughter of his desired him that he would not put him to death alleging that one only Christian could do him neither hurt nor good telling him that it was more for his honor to keep him as a captive and Yusida granted her request and commanded him to be cured of his wounds and as soon as he was whole he gave him the charge of the keeping of the temple because that by night the wolves did carry away the dead bodies out of the same who commended himself to God and took upon him the charge of his temple one night the wolves got from him the body of a little child the son of a principal Indian and going after them he threw a dart at one of the wolves and struck him that carried away the body who feeling himself wounded left it and fell down dead near the place and he not wanting what he had done because it was night went back again to the temple the morning being come and finding not the body of the child he was very sad as soon as Yusida knew thereof he resolved to put him to death and sent by the track which he said the wolves went and found the body of the child and the wolf dead a little beyond where at Yusida was much contented with the Christian and with the watch which he kept in the temple and from thence forward esteemed him much three years after he fell into his hands there came another Lord called Mokoso who dwelleth two days journey from the port and burned his town Yusida fled to another town that he had in another seaport thus John Ortiz lost his office and favor that he had with him these people being worshipers of the devil are want to offer up unto him the lives and blood of their Indians or of any other people they can come by and they report that when he will have them do that sacrifice unto him he speaketh with them and telleth them that he is a thirst and willeth them to sacrifice unto him John Ortiz had noticed by the damsel that had delivered him from the fire how her father was determined to sacrifice him the following day who willed him to flee to Mokoso for she knew that he would use him well for she heard say that he had asked for him and said he would be glad to see him and because he knew not the way she went with him half a league out of the town by night and set him in the way and returned because she would not be discovered John Ortiz traveled all that night and by the morning came unto a river which is in the territory of Mokoso and there he saw two Indians fishing and because they were in war with the people of Yuseda and their languages were different and he knew not the language of Mokoso he was afraid because he could not tell them who he was nor how he came thither nor was able to answer anything for himself that they would kill him taking him for one of the Indians of Yuseda and before they espied him he came to the place where they had laid their weapons and as soon as they saw him they fled toward the town and although he willed them to stay because he meant to do them no hurt yet they understood him not and ran away as fast as ever they could and as soon as they came to the town with great outcries many Indians came forth against him and began to compass him to shoot at him John Ortiz seeing himself in so great danger shielded himself with certain trees and began to shriek out and cry very loud and to tell them that he was a Christian and that he was fled from Yuseda and was come to see and serve Makoso his lord it pleased God that at that very instant there came thither an Indian that could speak the language and understood him and pacified the rest who told them what he said then ran from thence three or four Indians to bear the news to their lord who came forth a quarter of a league from the town to receive him and was very glad of him he caused him presently to swear according to the custom of the Christians that he would not run away from him to any other lord and promised him to entreat him very well and that if at any time there came any Christians into that country he would freely let him go and give him leave to go to them and likewise took his oath to perform the same according to the Indian custom about three years after certain Indians which were fishing at sea to leagues from the town brought news to Makoso that they had seen ships and he called John Ortiz and gave him leave to go his way who taking his leave of him with all the haste he could came to the sea and finding no ships he thought it to be some deceit and that the cocky K had done the same to learn his mind so he dwelt with Makoso nine years with small hope of seeing any Christians as soon as our governor arrived in Florida it was known to Makoso and straightway he signified to John Ortiz that Christians were lodged in the town of Yucita and he thought he had justed with him as he had done before and told him that by this time he had forgotten the Christians and thought of nothing else but to serve him but he assured him that it was so and gave him license to go unto them saying unto him that if he would not do it and if the Christians should go their way he should not blame him for he had fulfilled that which he had promised him the joy of John Ortiz was so great that he could not believe that it was true notwithstanding he gave him thanks and took his leave of him and Makoso gave him ten or eleven principal Indians to bear him company and as they went to the port where the governor was they met with Baltasar DeGalagos as I have declared before end of section 31