De Soto and J11oscoso Beyond tlze ,Jfississippi, 1537-1543
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had learned during the past summer and winter from the Indians, who had told them that to the west, not far from where they were, there were other Spaniards engaged in the conquest of those provinces." 17 It was naturally concluded that these men were perhaps conquerors from Mexico, who could not be far away. They decided to march west, therefore, in the hope of meeting them. At any rate, "going by land, it might be they would discover some rich country that would avail them." 11 On June 5, 1542, the rapidly thinning ranks of undaunted Spaniards resumed the march, filled with new hope. Securing a guide from the cacique of Guachoya, they set out as nearly to the west as possible and after passing through a province called Catalte and crossing a desert for six days, they arrived at Chaguate on the 20th. Here they were pre- sented with shawls and well dressed skins. It is to be noted that in this province the Spaniards found a salt water lake and some salines. For six days the survivors of De Soto's expedition stayed with the chief and made diligent inquiries about the country and nations beyond. Moscoso was informed that three days hence was a province called Aguacay. 19 Two days later, while on the march, the Spaniards were met by a delegation of five Indians from Aguacay bearing gifts of skins, fish, and roasted venison. Continuing on their way, they entered a deserted village on July 5, 1542. Scouting parties were sent out, who brought many captives of both sexes. It was here that they heard of the South Sea. Like in the previous province they found a good grade of dirt salt. 20 After a short stay in Aguacay, the march to the west was renewed. On the fourth day they arrived in the province of Amaye. Their goal, however, was Naguatex. The cacique of Amaye gladly gave them a guide. Without loss of time, they went on, but a day after they left Aguacay, they had a brief skirmish with the natives. From the prisoners taken it was learned the chief of Naguatex and his friends were planning to 17Garcilaso, La Florida d,!l Inca, 212. Pichardo wisely remarked that there is no reason to say these rumors were false. as suggested by Garcilaso, because Coronado heard in like manner of De Soto's men and even sent a letter to them. When it is borne in mind that De Soto was west of the Mississippi, in the neighborhood of the Red River at the same time that Coronado was crossing the plains, it becomes more than plausible that the two expeditions should have heard of each other. Cf. Hackett, Pichardo: Limits of Louisiana and Tt1xas, II , 408-409. 18 Garcilaso, op. cit., 212 ; Gentleman of Elvas, I, 165-166. 19 Gentleman of Elvas (Bourne, ed.), 166; Herrera in his Historia, dee. vii, lib. vii, cap. iv, 134, says they started on July 5, the same as Garcilaso, La Florida, 212 . 20 /bid., 168.
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