INTRODUCTION 
Negro slaves who later rebelled against their 
Spanish masters. 
Of the story of those earlier Negro ex- 
plorers we have, aside from the Negro Este- 
van or "little Steve," who was the guide and 
leader in the search for the fabulous seven 
cities, almost nothing more than a passing 
reference in the accounts which have come 
down to us. Now, a race which has come up 
from slavery; which is just now for the first 
time learning to build for itself homes, 
churches, schools ; which is learning for the first 
time to start banks, organize insurance com- 
panies, erect manufacturing plants, establish 
hospitals; a race which is doing all the funda- 
mental things for the first time; which has, in 
short, its history before it instead of behind; 
such a race in such conditions needs for its own 
encouragement, as well as to justify the hopes 
of its friends, the records of the members of 
the race who have been a part of any great and 
historic achievement. 
For this reason, as well as for others; for 
the sake of my race as well as the truth of his- 
tory; I am proud and glad to welcome this 
account of his adventure from a man who has 
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