winsh.i] TRANSLATION OF CASTANEDA 471 



And besides, I think that the twenty years and more since that 

 expedition took place have been the cause of some stories which are 

 related. For example, some make it an uninhabitable country, others 

 have it bordering on Florida, and still others on Greater India, which 

 does not appear to be a slight difference. They are unable to give any 

 basis upon which to found their statements. There are those who tell 

 about some very peculiar animals, who are contradicted by others 

 who were on the expedition, declaring that there was nothing of the 

 sort seen. Others differ as to the limits of the provinces and even in 

 regard to the ceremonies and customs, attributing what pertains to one 

 people to others. All this has had a large part, my very noble lord, 

 in making me wish to give now, although somewhat late, a short gen- 

 eral account for all those who pride themselves on this noble curiosity, 

 and to save myself the time taken up by these solicitations. Things 

 enough will certainly be found here which are hard to believe. All or the 

 most of these were seen with my own eyes, and the rest is from reliable 

 information obtained by inquiry of the natives themselves. Under- 

 standing as I do that this little work would be nothing in itself, lacking 

 authority, unless it were favored and protected by a person whose 

 authority would protect it from the boldness of those who, without 

 reverence, give their murmuring tongues liberty, and knowing as I do 

 how great are the obligations under which I have always been, and am, 

 to your grace, I humbly beg to submit this little work to your protec- 

 tion. May it be received as from a faithful retainer and servant. It 

 will be divided into three parts, that it may bo better understood. The 

 first will tell of the discovery and the armament or army that was 

 made ready, and of the whole journey, with the captains who were 

 there; the second, of the villages and provinces which were found, and 

 their limits, and ceremonies and customs, the animals, fruits, and 

 vegetatiou, and in what parts of the country these are; the third, of 

 the return of the army and the reasons for abandoning the country, 

 although these were insufficient, because this is the best place there is 

 for discoveries — the marrow of the land in these western parts, as will 

 be seen. And after this has been made plain, some remarkable things 

 which were seen will be described at the end, and the way by which 

 one might more easily return to discover that better land which we did 

 not see, since it would be no small advantage to enter the country 

 through the land which the Marquis of the Valley, Don Fernando Cor- 

 tes, went in search of under the Western star, and which cost him no 

 small sea armament. May it please our Lord to so favor me that with 

 my slight knowledge and small abilities I may be able by relating the 

 truth to make my little work pleasing to the learned and wise readers, 

 when it has been accepted by your grace. For my intention is not to 

 gain the fame of a good composer or rhetorician, but I desire to give a 

 faithful account and to do this slight service to your grace, who will, I 

 hope, receive it as from a faithful servant and soldier, who took part in 



