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risked life, health, and honor for him, was rowed away to the caravel, and taken back to Panama.

De Soto had meanwhile made his way to Spain, and, repairing to Valladolid, laid before the king his plans for the conquest of Florida. Charles V. granted his request, and the commission was given him. Being dissatisfied with the governor of Cuba, the ruling incumbent was removed, and Hernando De Soto appointed in his stead. The cavalier was already rich and powerful, but he longed for fame. While in Spain he married a lady of noble family. Mustering the finest army at Seville which had ever started for conquest in the New World, he sailed for Cuba, where he arrived late in the year 1538. Learning that Estevan, for whom he had obtained a pardon, was still at Panama, he dispatched a messenger for him.

Estevan was not informed by the messenger that a full pardon had been granted him by the king, nor did he know that he had received an appointment in the army of the new governor. The fact that he was invited to Cuba by De Soto was sufficient inducement for him to obey at once. He had a secret meeting with his wife, told her all, and hoped for the best. Then he bid her an affectionate farewell, little dreaming that months and years of toil, danger, and privation would elapse before he saw her again.

De Soto was at Havana, and thither Estevan repaired, where all his good fortune was explained to him, and he was urged to take a command in the two vessels to be sent out at once to explore the harbors of Florida. He was so grateful to his friend for having procured his pardon, and so anxious to engage again in an adventurous career, that he accepted the command. The vessels were to sail the next day, and De Soto declared that much of their future success depended on Estevan's immediate departure. That night Estevan wrote two letters; one to his wife, telling her of his pardon and restoration to good citizenship in Cuba, of his command in the army, and his immediate departure for Florida, a new conquest and the founding of a new empire. The other letter was to his mother. He told her of his first meeting with Inez in Spain, of their betrothal, of Velasquez, his own adventures in Peru, and lastly of his secret marriage. He concluded as follows:

"Don Oviedo will probably forgive us and accept me as his son; but whether he does or not, invite this new daughter to your home and care for her as you would your own. She will be lonely while I am gone; but I hope soon to return, laden with riches and honors as my father before me came from Mexico. Adieu !

"Your son,

"CHRISTOPHER ESTEVAN."

CHAPTER XXII.

AN INDIAN GIRL'S LOVE.

ESTEVAN'S ships reached Florida, and after coasting along the low shores and through waters that were safe enough for them to venture in, he, with a dozen men, went on land. They saw a few natives, who watched them shyly from the woods, but did not venture to come near them. Perhaps they had some recollection of the former visit of Narvaez, ten years before, and were suspicious. After some considerable trouble, Estevan managed to capture two of the natives, whom he sent back to Cuba in one of the ships, while he remained in the other at an island.

The Indian captives, on reaching Havana, were taken to De Soto, who conversed with them by signs, and interpreted their replies as affirming that Florida abounded in gold. De Soto and his troops were roused to the highest pitch of excitement, and all were eager to begin the voyage of discovery. The infection spread throughout Cuba, and volunteers came by the score from all parts of the island

to engage in the enterprise. One Vasco Porcullo, an aged and wealthy man, lavished his fortune in magnificent outlay for the expedition.

Estevan still lay at the island, awaiting the arrival of the fleet, when De Soto, on the 14th day of May, 1539, sailed from Havana with nine ships, large and small, a thousand followers and many horses, cattle, mules, and a herd of swine, leaving public affairs at home in charge of his young wife. The parting was very affecting; for she seemed to realize that they were never to meet again; but De Soto, whose lofty mind was filled with ambition to become a Cortez or Pizarro, saw nothing but imperial cities and golden conquests in the future. Cortez had conquered Mexico; Pizarro, Peru; and he would seize the rich cities and wonderful mines in Florida.

Estevan had grown weary awaiting the arrival of the fleet when it hove in sight. He fired a gun and his crew shouted themselves hoarse. The entire fleet now sailed to Florida, and came to anchor in Tampa Bay, where the air was burdened with the most delicious perfumes, which came from the shores; for all Florida was in bloom. Such magnificent foliage, such rare exotics growing wild, such everglades and such wonders and delights of the floral world, had never before greeted the eyes of the Spaniards.

Next morning the disembarkation commenced. Estevan was first to go ashore. He had not met De Soto yet; but soon after he landed he saw the governor coming ashore with a boat's crew and a dozen soldiers, while three more boats, loaded down. with armed cavaliers, were landing. Estevan went to a hillock where grew a tall palmetto-tree, and beneath its branches awaited the arrival of De Soto.

Having landed, the governor advanced to greet Estevan and gain the full particulars of all the information the officer had obtained. It was little the young cavalier had to impart.

"I found but few natives, governor, and those I did see fled before us. There is something decidedly menacing in their manner, and I fear they will make trouble for us."

"How can they, Estevan?"

"These deep, almost impenetrable everglades will afford many excellent hiding-places for them. There they can lie in wait and pick off our soldiers with their arrows; for they are expert archers."

"I will make it so terrible for them with our blood-hounds, that they will not dare to attack us." "I pray you to forbear any act of cruelty," said Estevan, whose early training under the pious old Las Casas had a wonderful effect on his morals. "It is not only inhuman, but unwise, to attack the natives."

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