winkhip] DIAZ ON THE COLORADO 407 



California. He hurried across this region and descended the mountains 

 on the west, where he encountered the Indian giants, some of whom 

 the army had already seen. Turning toward the north, or northwest, 

 he proceeded to the seacoast, and spent several days among Indians 

 who fed him with the corn which they raised and with fish. He traveled 

 slowly up the coast until he reached the mouth of a river which was 

 large enough for vessels to enter. The country was cold, and the 

 Spaniards observed that when the natives hereabouts wished to keep 

 warm, they took a burning stick and held it to their abdomens and 

 shoulders. This curious habit led the Spaniards to name the river 

 Firebrand — Rio del Tizon. Near the mouth of the river was a tree on 

 which was written, "A letter is at the foot of this." Diaz dug down 

 and found a jar wrapped so carefully that it was not even moist. The 

 inclosed papers stated that " Francisco de Alarcon reached this place 

 in the year '40 with three ships, having been sent in search of Frau- 

 cisco Vazquez Coronado by the viceroy, D. Antonio de Mendoza; and 

 after crossing the bar at the mouth of the river and waiting many 

 days without obaining any news, he was obliged to depart, because 

 the ships were being eaten by worms," the terrible Teredo naval i*. 1 



Diaz determined to cross the river, hoping that the country might 

 become more attractive. The passage was accomplished, with con- 

 siderable danger, by means of certain large wicker baskets, which the 

 natives coated with a sort of bitumen, so that the water could not leak 

 through. Five or six Indians caught hold of each of these and swam 

 across, guiding it and transporting the Spaniards with their baggage, 

 and being supported in turn by the raft. Diaz marched inland for four 

 days, but not finding any people in the country, which became steadily 

 more barren, he decided to return to Corazones valley. The party 

 made its way back to the country of the giants without accident, and 

 then one night while Diaz was watching the camp, a small dog began to 

 bark and chase the flock of sheep which the men had taken with them 

 for food. Unable to call the dog off, Diaz started after him on horse- 

 back and threw his lance while on the gallop. The weapon stuck up in 

 the ground, and before Diaz could stop or turn his horse, which was 

 running loose, the socket pierced his groin. The soldiers could do 

 little to relieve his sufferings, and he died before they reached the set- 

 tlement, where they arrived January 18, 1541. A few months later, 

 Alcaraz, who had been placed in charge of the town when Diaz went 

 away, abandoned Corazones valley tor a more attractive situation on 

 Suva river, some distance nearer Cibola. The post was maintained here 



1 Mota PadiUa (i>. 1 J8, ^ 1) . "Los I minis j>a?a resist tr el (rio, lle\ an en las manos un ironcon ardiendo 

 4111- Irs calienta el pecho, v del mismo modo l;t espalda; siendo eato tan comun en todos loa indioa, 

 que per 680 loa uuestros pusieroD ;i eate rio el uombre del rio del Tison , cerca de 61 vierun un aibol en 

 el eual estaban eacritaa unas let 1 as, que decian : al pio est a una carta y eon efecto; la hallaron en una 

 olla, bien euvuelta, jmrque no se humedeciese, y sn contenido era: que ei ano de 40 llego alii Fran- 

 cisco de Alareon eon ties navios, y entiando por la barra de aquel no, enviado por el virey D. Anto- 

 nio de Mendoza, en bnsca do Francisco Vazquez Coronado; y que habiendo estado alii mucbos dias 

 am noticia alguna leiue precise sahr porque loe navios ae comian de broma." 



