The Journey of Alvar Nuñez Cabeza de Vaca and His Companions From Florida to the Pacific, 1528-1536 Page: 95 of 253

ALVAR NUNEZ CABEZA DE VACA

life, this was enough to take it away from
me completely. When the Christians learn-
ed of it they gave an Indian the robe of
marten we had taken from the cacique, as
stated, in order that he should guide them
to where I was, to see me, and so twelve of
them came, two having become so feeble
that they did not dare to take them along.
The names of thosewho came are: Alonso
del Castillo, Andres Dorantes and Diego
Dorantes, Valdivieso, Estrada, Tostado,
Chaves, Gutierrez, an Asturian priest;
Diego de Huelva, Estevanico, the negro
Benitez, and as they reached the mainland
they found still another of our men named
Francisco de Leon, and the thirteen went
along the coast. After they had gone by,
the Indians with whom I was told me of it,
and how Hieronimo de Alaniz and Lope de
Oviedo had been left on the island.
My sickness prevented me from following
or seeing them. I had to remain with those
same Indians of the island for more than
one year, and as they made me work so
much and treated me so badly I determined
to flee and go to those who live in the woods
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