1541.  From this point he went northward and almost reached the Missouri.  He then turned southward, and reached the junction of the Red River and Mississippi, where he died of malaria fever.  Of his men 250 perished from disease or in combat with the Indians.

    [2] The bison, or buffalo, is here referred to.

THE DEATH OF DE SOTO

(1542)

BY ONE OF DE SOTO’S COMPANIONS[1]

The Governor fell into great dumps to see how hard it was to get to the sea; and worse, because his men and horses every day diminished, being without succor to sustain themselves in the country:  and with that thought he fell sick.  But before he took his bed he sent an Indian to the Cacique of Quigalta to tell him that he was the child of the sun, and that all the way that he came all men obeyed and served him, that he requested him to accept of his friendship and come unto him, for he would be very glad to see him; and in sign of love and obedience to bring something with him of that which in his country was most esteemed....

By the time the Indian returned with his answer, the Governor had betaken himself to bed, being evil handled with fevers, and was much aggrieved that he was in case to pass presently the river and to seek him, to see if he could abate that pride of his, considering the river went now very strongly in those parts; for it was near half a league broad, and sixteen fathoms deep, and very furious, and ran with a great current; and on both sides there were many Indians, and his power was not now so great, but that he had need to help himself rather by slights than by force.  The Indians of Guachoya came every day with fish in such numbers, that the town was full of them....

The Governor felt in himself that the hour approached wherein he was to leave this present life, and called for the king’s officers, captains, and principal persons, to whom he made a speech.  Baltasar de Gallegos answered in the name of all the rest.  And first of all comforting him, he set before his eyes how short the life of this world was, and with how many troubles and miseries it is accompanied, and how God showed him a singular favor which soonest left it:  telling him many other things fit for such a time.  And touching the Governor which he commanded they should elect, he besought him, that it would please his lordship to name him which he thought fit, and him they would obey.  And presently he named Luys de Moscoso de Alvarado, his captain-general.  And presently he was sworn by all that were present, and elected for governor.  The next day being the 21st of May, 1542, departed out of this life the valorous, virtuous, and valiant captain, Don Fernando de Soto, Governor of Cuba, and Adelantado of Florida:  whom fortune advanced, as it useth to do others, that he might have the higher fall.  He departed in such a place, and at such a time, as in his sickness