CHAPTER II 
The Unknown River-—A.lar9on Ascends it Eighty-five Leagues and Names it the 
Rio de Buena Guia— Melchior Diaz Arrives at its Banks Later and Calls it 
the Rio del Tizon—Cardenas Discovers the Grand Canyon. 
H aving triumphed over the fierce tidal bore which renders 
the mouth of the Colorado dangerous, Alargon secured a 
safe anchorage for his vessels and began immediate preparations 
for following up the river into the distant interior, both to gain 
a knowledge of it and to seek for information of the position of 
Coronado. Leaving one of his small boats for the use of those 
who remained in charge of the ships, he took the other two, 
and, placing in them some light cannon, prepared them as well 
as he could for any emergency that might be encountered. His 
party consisted of twenty soldiers, sailors, and helpers, besides 
his treasurer, Rodrigo Maldonado, and Caspar de Castilleia, 
comptroller. Alargon possessed the qualities of a successful 
explorer. He was bold yet cautious, determined but not reck¬ 
less, with safe judgment and quick adaptability. His first 
command was that, no matter what happened in case of meet¬ 
ing with natives, all his company were to remain silent and in¬ 
active. With this wise provision, which kept the control in his 
own hands, the party left the ships behind on Thursday, Au¬ 
gust 26th ‘ (1540), apparently the same day as the arrival. The 
current was so strong that the men were obliged to tow the 
boats from the bank, rendering progress slow and difficult, 
but nevertheless they were able, before night and fatigue com¬ 
pelled a halt, to advance about six leagues. Though constantly 
on the lookout for natives in the wide barren stretches of low¬ 
land on each side of the river, none were seen till early next 
^ Hakluyt gives “ 25th,” but it is a misprint, as this Thursday in 1540 was the 
26th, 
17 
