Although, in the narrative of the Gentleman of Elvas, the translation by Buckingham Smith has been followed, some corrections have been made in the text, and pains have been taken to set right, in accordance with the Portuguese original at the Lenox Library, the native proper names, on whose interpretation in the Indian languages the identification of localities in many cases depends. If variations from page to page in the spelling of some such names are observed by the reader, they may be assumed to exist in the original.

The three narratives printed in this book are but a small selection from among many scores; for the narratives of Spanish explorers in the southern United States constitute an extensive literature. But if interest and historical importance are both taken into account, it is believed that these three hold an undisputed preëminence among such "relations."

J. F. J.

CONTENTS

THE NARRATIVE OF ALVAR NUÑEZ CABEÇA DE VACA

Edited by Frederick W. Hodge

PAGE
The Narrative of Alvar Nuñez Cabeça de Vaca[1]
Introduction[3]
Proem[12]
Chapter 1.In which is told when the Armada sailed, and of the Officers and Persons who went in it[14]
Chapter 2.The Coming of the Governor to the Port of Xagua and with a Pilot[18]
Chapter 3.Our Arrival in Florida[19]
Chapter 4.Our Entrance into the Country[20]
Chapter 5.The Governor leaves the Ships[24]
Chapter 6.Our Arrival at Apalache[28]
Chapter 7.The Character of the Country[29]
Chapter 8.We go from Aute[33]
Chapter 9.We leave the Bay of Horses[37]
Chapter 10.The Assault from the Indians[40]
Chapter 11.Of what befell Lope de Oviedo with the Indians[44]
Chapter 12.The Indians bring us Food[45]
Chapter 13.We hear of other Christians[48]
Chapter 14.The Departure of four Christians[49]
Chapter 15.What befell us among the People of Malhado[52]
Chapter 16.The Christians leave the Island of Malhado[55]
Chapter 17.The Coming of Indians with André's Dorantes, Castillo, and Estevanico[59]
Chapter 18.The Story Figueroa recounted from Esquivel[63]
Extract from the Letter of the Survivors[68]
Chapter 19.Our Separation by the Indians[70]
Chapter 20.Of our Escape[72]
Chapter 21.Our Cure of some of the Afflicted[74]
Chapter 22.The Coming of other Sick to us the next Day[76]
Chapter 23.Of our Departure after having eaten the Dogs[82]
Chapter 24.Customs of the Indians of that Country[83]
Chapter 25.Vigilance of the Indians in War[85]
Chapter 26.Of the Nations and Tongues[86]
Chapter 27.We moved away and were well received[88]
Chapter 28.Of another strange Custom[91]
Chapter 29.The Indians plunder each other[94]
Chapter 30.The Fashion of receiving us changes[99]
Chapter 31.Of our taking the Way to the Maize[105]
Chapter 32.The Indians give us the Hearts of Deer[108]
Chapter 33.We see Traces of Christians[112]
Chapter 34.Of sending for the Christians[113]
Chapter 35.The Chief Alcalde receives us kindly the Night we arrive[116]
Chapter 36.Of building Churches in that Land[119]
Chapter 37.Of what occurred when I wished to return[121]
Chapter 38.Of what became of the Others who went to Indias[123]

THE NARRATIVE OF THE EXPEDITION OF HERNANDO
DE SOTO, BY THE GENTLEMAN OF ELVAS