294 BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY [bull. 73 
In contemplating this feat of Moyano's I can not help repeating 
Lowery's reference to a Spanish proverb, "Distant countries, big 
tales." It is sad to relate that the hero of the expedition was after- 
wards cut off, along with all of the force accompanying him except 
one man, by a comparatively insignificant tribe near Port Royal. 1 
And yet it is possible that Moyano's narrative is true if he was accom- 
panied by a large body of friendly Indians not mentioned in the text. 
Later the Chiska chief, in alliance with those of "Carrosa, Cost die, 
and Coza," was reported to be lying in wait with several thousand 
Indians, intending to attack Pardo, and this was why Pardo turned 
back to Santa Elena from his second expedition that same year 
(15G7). 2 
As we shall presently see, the Yuchi later came to be called Chichi- 
mecs by the Spaniards through a fancied resemblance in character 
to the wild tribes north of Mexico. A reference to "Ohichimecas" 
far to the north of Florida in a Spanish document dating from the 
last quarter of the sixteenth century may possibly have reference to 
the tribe we are discussing. 3 
The course of Yuchi history now separates into several distinct chan- 
nels, corresponding to a similar division among the people themselves. 
A portion of them remained in the north, a second body settled not 
far from Choctawhatchee River in western Florida, and two or three 
others established themselves on and near the Savannah River. 
Each will be considered in turn, beginning with that band mentioned 
first, which remained nearest to the original Yuchi home. 
In 1656, if we accept Professor Crane's identification and my 
own inferences from it, the Yuchi made a sudden and spectacular ap- 
pearance on and disappearance from the stage of Virginia history. 
John Burk has the following account of it: 
Whilst the assembly were employed in these wise and benevolent projects, infor- 
mation was received that a body of inland or mountain Indians, to the number of six 
or seven hundred, had seated themselves near the falls of James River, apparently 
with the intention of forming a regular settlement. Some movements were at this 
time noticed among the neighboring tribes which seemed to indicate something 
like a concert and correspondence with these strangers; and the minds of the colonists, 
always alive to, and apprehensive of, Indian treachery, were unusually agitated on 
this occasion. The place these Indians had made choice of was another source of 
disquiet. It was strong and difficult of access, alike calculated for offensive and 
defensive operations; and they recollected the immense trouble and expence that 
had been incurred in extirpating the tribes which formerly dwelt in that place. At 
the conclusion of the last peace with the Indians this station was considered so impor- 
tant, that its cession was insisted on, as the main pledge and security of peace; and 
it had hitherto continued unoccupied as a sort of barrier to the frontiers in that direc- 
tion. Under all these circumstances they could not see it, without anxiety, occupied 
1 Serrano y Sanz, Doc. Hist., p. 147. 3 Lowery, MSS. 
•Ruidiaz, op. cit.,p. 471. 
