

462 RAMBLES IN FLORIDA. 
species of shells* to our collection, which were found ad- 
heringt to the oysters. 
From Ballast Point a few hours sail in a light breeze 
brought us to Piney Point, or Point Pinalles, the latter being 
the common name with the people here. Off this point there 
is comparatively deep water and a fair harbor; this place is 
believed by many to have been the anchorage ground of 
DeSoto'st fleet, three hundred and thirty years ago. 
The historian says: “His squadron consisted of reighit large 
vessels, a caravel and two brigantines, all freighted with 
ample means of conquest and colonization ;$ besides the 
ship's crew his force numbered one thousand men with three 
hundred and fifty horses." 
The fleet arrived at the mouth of Tampa Bay on Whit- 
sunday, the twenty-fifth day of May, 1539; three hundred 
of his men disembarked on the following Saturday, and the 
remainder of the force landed on the soseddding day. 
To the bay, De Soto gave the name of Espiritu Santo; 
the first detachment met with a rough reception, for on the 
morning after it landed the savages broke upon the Span- 
iards who were carelessly lying around; and with deafening 
yells drove them in confusion to the water’s edge; the latter 
were speedily reinforced from the vessels and soon disperse 
their foes. 


* Mytilus hamatus Say, and Odostomia im a Say. 
{Memorandum for young collectors; Serve, examine critically the ontside of large 
S pretty ae sculptured shells, for by so doing many ra re and valuable acquisitions a 
es made; many of the smaller species can 1 wee” 
m the failure of the Expedition of Pamphilo de Narvaer, Fernando de Soto next 
to oce occupy the country, having i žold. his claims on the Peruvian Conquest in 
wh hu money. This last expe 
dition was undertaken by De Soto at his own expense. Landing on the shore 
Tampa Bay with one thousand men, and assisted b: y Ortez, a survivor of the Narvaez 
on, Who was a favorite with a chief in the interior, he proceeded for some 
distance without serious opposition treating the natives generally with kindness. He 


: te 
Je , and was by a numerous body which he defeated in a despera 
Conflict; led on =e anne af finding gold, he i the remnants of his army érossed 
the c T the Mississip a it | is — that m ye 
id 

, Ed. 1869, p, 56. 
e: 
dA uz 
Ns SE NON IIO LE MED ea 
pis 
Dr opis. 

