Hernando de Soto; together with an account of one of his captains, Gonçalo Silvestre - Tapa blanda

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1903 Excerpt: ...that the bonds of holy matrimony had him in thrall, for had he married the brown Queen he had not gone forth to his heroic but miserable death, and wretchedness untold might have been spared to Spaniards and Indians alike. As the Queen spoke, and 'ever looking on the Governor,' she slowly drew from its place a string of pearls as large as filberts, and which went three times round her neck and hung down to her knee. Then, with the necklace in her hand, she turned to Juan Herrera, dec. vii., lib. vii., p. 176. Ortiz, and, giving it to him, told him to take it and to give it to the Governor. Ortiz, who, though he had passed ten years of his life with Indians in the wilds, had not forgotten that he was a gentleman, told her that Soto would esteem it more from her than from another hand. The 'Indian lady' said that she did not dare, for that she feared to outstep modesty, and Soto, guessing what she said, stepped out and took it from her hand. Then, drawing off a ring set with a ruby, he gave it to the Queen, who instantly placed it upon her finger 'as a sign of peace.' She then retired, leaving the Spaniards 'muy satisfechos y enamorados ' both with her beauty and discretion, so much so that no one asked her name, but all men spoke of her but as 'the Indian Queen.' Of all the provinces which Soto had yet seen, Cofachiqui was by far the richest and most fertile. The soil was fruitful and well cultivated, the woods afforded fruit, pearls were abundant, and the furs the Indians had would have been riches in themselves. But, most unfortunately, the natives had some gold, and this they said came from the west; so Soto, who, like the rest of the conquistadores thought gold was the sole source of wealth, determined to push on. The mother of the 'Indian Queen,'f eithe...