They likewise provided a number of canoes; part of which were lashed two and two together to carry thirty horses which still remained alive, and answered well for the purpose; the rest were distributed among the brigantines, each having one at her stern to serve as a boat.  On midsummer day 1543 the brigantines were launched into the great river, and on St Peters day, the 29th of that month, every thing being in readiness, the brigantines and canoes having defences made of boards and skins to fend off the arrows, they took leave of the friendly caciques, Anilco and Guachacoya, and set sail down the great river.

Two captains were appointed to each brigantine, that when one had occasion to land the other might remain on board in charge of the vessel.  About 350 Spaniards embarked, all that remained of 900 who had originally landed in Florida.  Near thirty Indian men and women were on board each vessel, all of their own free will, as they declared they would rather die with their masters than remain behind.  Accordingly on St Peters day before mentioned, about sunset, after Alvarado had given regular instructions to all his officers and encouraged his men, they began their voyage, holding on their course down the river both with sails and oars, all that night and the next day and night.  But on the following day they were opposed by a fleet of near 1000 canoes belonging to the confederated caciques, some of which were so large as to have twenty-five paddies on each side, and carrying many armed men besides the rowers.  These large canoes were called the admirals, as being supposed to have the principal commanders on board.  One was painted red, another blue, and others of several colours; the men on board having their bodies painted of the same colours as the canoes, as were their bows.  All this splendid shew, with the variegated plumes of feathers on the heads of the warriors, made a grand display.  While they rowed after the Spaniards, they kept time to their songs, which were said by the interpreters to signify, “That the vagabond strangers should all be slain on the water, and become food for the fishes.”

After taking a close view of the Spanish brigantines, the Indians divided their fleet of canoes into three equal squadrons, plying up close to the bank on the starboard side; and when up with the brigantines, the van forming a long and narrow line a-head, crossed the river obliquely passing close by the brigantines, into which they all successively threw in a shower of arrows, by which several Spaniards were wounded notwithstanding their targets and baricades.  The other squadrons did the same in regular order, and as the brigantines continued on their course, the squadrons of canoes continued successively to repeat similar charges, both day and night, expecting in this manner to destroy all the Spaniards by degrees.  The Spaniards held on their way for ten successive days and nights, continually assailed in this manner