(seq. 191)

East Florida

Boats Soto transported his Army diminished to 750 Infaterist and 150
Horse in all 900 Men, besides Indian Slaves; from thence he proceeded up
the Stream to the Hawkins and father to the Kapahas, where he ended
his northerly Course, observed ever since he left the Taskaluchas.
6th. From the Kapahas Soto begun a West Course with a View to beat
his way for Mexico, came to the Colinas, from them he went to the Sulas,
and in November he reached the Utiankes, among whom he passed the
Winter.
7th. In April 1542 Soto marched to the Natchee's, from them to
the Guhakanes, where he learned, that the Western Countries were but
barren, and inhabited by very few Nations, and the backed with great
Deserts without any Water or any thing else. Soto conceiving the
Impracticableness of leading farther through barren Lands an Army,
which had suffered so great a Reduction in plentiful Countries, he shortly
deliverated upon an Alteration of his Plan of Operation, being sure of
the immense Difficulties from so great an inland Distance to hit shortly
upon a sure Sea Port, resolved to return, and built upon Mississipi
Stream a Town and two Brigantins with a View of sending them under
the Command of his best and most trusty Officers and Men to Mexico,
Cuba and all Spanish Ports with Instructions to spread about the favorable Account of the Discoveries, thereby to invite, and to encourage
Spaniards from all Quarters, promising himself, that by their great
Concourse all Necessaries would be imported in Abundance. This
Plan being resolved upon, he took his Route S.E.wardly towards the
Anithoves, situated on the North Site of Ancho, one of the Mississipi
Rivers; after passing their River Soto marched with his Army dimi=
=nished to 600 Men in the Guhachowiha Nation, which was settled on
the west side of the MIssissipi, by the Assistance of this Nation, and their
Boats he intended to set over the Stream, and make himself Master of
the principal Quingerwaltakas Town, in order to enjoy their pleasant
and fruitful Country, and to receive his Country Men from the different
Quarters in a Country answering the Description, and their Expectation;
he no sooner arrived at the Place of Operation, that he immediately made
all Preparations for cutting Timber, contriving Cordage, & in roder to
hurry his Plans in Execution, but was surprised by a violent Fever, being
sensible of his Danger appointed the COmmander of the Cavallery Louis
de