De Soto and i"1oscoso Beyond the 1r/ississippi, I537-I543
123
of cane, making a fence about it; and we returned that night to the camp." Herrera adds that during the night a heavy rain fell. 1 : The Spaniards remained for several days in the various towns of this province before resuming their march to Pacaha, which seems to have been still farther up the river, or in a general northeastern direction. It was not until June 19 that De Soto finally reached his destination only to find as usual that there was no gold. The Indians, hostile at first, ended by supplying the Spaniards not only with corn but many other fruits and numerous buffalo robes. While west of the Mississippi they often heard of this beast although they never saw one. From Pacaha, somewhere in present Arkansas, an exploring expedition was sent to the northwest. It traveled for seven days and returned to report it had found no gold nor heard of the sea. After a stay of about thirty days, De Soto decided to retrace his steps. Following mostly a southwestern course he appears to have visited a town called Tanico, very likely in the country of the Tanikan Indians of eastern Louisiana, where he spent a month to rest his men and horses. It was here that the soldiers enjoyed to the fullest the use of salt after a year's deprivation. An attempt was made to continue to the southwest but the Indians proved so hostile that after a few days' march, during which obstinate resistance was encountered, perhaps by the Tula Indians, De Soto turned southeast to Autiamque, where he established his winter quarters near Camden, Arkansas, on Ouachita River, called River of Cayas. Death of De Soto. In the spring of 1542, De Soto resumed his march once more, making his way to a town called Guachoya, on the west bank of the Mississippi. It was now the middle of April. He was anxious to find a port to communicate with Cuba. His force was reduced to almost half of the original number and more than one hundred and fifty horses had died. Upon being asked, the Indian chief replied he had no knowledge of the sea. An exploring party under Juan de Anasco was sent out to look for it, but in vain. De Soto was now broken down in spirit and health . He took to his bed with a malignant fever and feeling his end was drawing near, he called his officers to his side and appointed Luis de Moscoso his successor. The officers took an oath to obey him. Much relieved in mind, the stern and ruthless conquistador made his confession. "The next day," says the gentleman of Elvas, "the twenty-first of May, 12 Biedma, "Relation" (Bourne, ed.), II, pp. 27-28; Herrera, Historia, dee. vi, lib. ii, ca;. vi, p. 32.
Powered by FlippingBook