them into those dangerous retreats. About 900, more closely pursued than their companions, leaped into the lake, which was nearly a mile broad, and so long that the eye could not reach the extremity. The Spaniards, drawing up on the bank, harassed the unfortunate beings who would not surrender by discharging arrows at them, and shooting them down with their muskets. On their side the Floridians shot away their last shafts, and such was their determination, that they were to be seen three or four abreast swimming together, and bearing on their shoulders one of their comrades, who went on shooting until every arrow had been discharged.

These intrepid swimmers continued to resist in this manner until night fell, without listening to any proposal as to a truce. The Spaniards drew a line of soldiers round the lake to prevent the escape of any of the natives under cover of the darkness. As soon as one of them made any show of approaching the bank, the enemy promised to treat him well if he surrendered, but at the same time dragged him up only to throw him back again into the water, thus exhausting his patience and his strength. The victims, however, were even more determined than their butchers, and preferred death, they said, to the dominion of the Spaniards. Some of them, nevertheless, overcome with fatigue, slowly sought the shore and surrendered, and in the morning about fifty were out of the water. Others, seeing that their comrades were well treated by the enemy, followed their example, but only to change their minds again, for, after with difficulty. reaching the bank, they in many cases returned to the water, resolved not to quit it to the last. There were thus some who for twenty-four hours were in the lake, swimming all the time.

On the following day 200 of the Indians gave in their submission, "half dead," says Garcilasso di Vega, "swelled with the water they had swallowed, and overcome with hunger, sleep, and exhaustion." Those who remained all surrendered after a little, with the exception of seven, who, more intractable than the rest, remained in the water, setting their vanquishers at defiance, and crying out that they might kill them with exhaustion, but could never compel them to give in. They had swum about in this fashion for thirty hours without having taken any food, when, surprised at such boldness and power of endurance, the Spanish captain ordered twelve of his best soldiers to enter the lake and bring the seven natives to shore. The command was strictly obeyed, and the unhappy Indians were dragged to land by their legs, arms, or heads. "Their appearance," says the historian, "was most pitiful. They fell upon the ground more dead than alive, and in a state in which we might imagine men to be who had fought swimming in the water for thirty consecutive hours. The Spaniards, somewhat pitying their sad condition, and admiring their pluck, carried them into the town, where they brought them round, doing the poor savages more good by their kindness than by their medicine."

There is not in the history of the world-even in the annals of Rome-another instance of heroic endurance and brave resistance equal to this. Thirty hours of swimming and fighting at one and the same time! The names of those who were associated with de Soto in his foolish and criminal enterprise have been recorded, but who can tell us those of the noble patriots of Florida? The Spaniards were attracted to their country only by the hope of pillage, their sole aim being the discovery of mines of gold and silver. One fact

recorded by Garcilasso di Vega proves well the extent of their greed. Immediately after landing, a garrison had been left on the sea-shore, while the body of the little army set off towards the north in search of adventure. When a place had been found suitable for encampment, the general hastened to those who had been left behind to inform them of the fact, and order them to join the army. What was the first thought of the garrison men as they beheld their comrades returning? To speak of the general under whose banner they were gathered? To inquire into the state of the army? Not at all. They only asked their brothers in arms whether gold had been found in these new regions in any quantity. "Thus," says the historian, who is horrified at such a trait, "the thirst for the precious metals had such a sway over the men, that it made them easily forget their duty. The poor Floridians, on the contrary, fought only to defend their hearths."

When the seven swimmers had recovered their senses, they were brought before de Soto, who inquired of them for what reason they did not surrender, like their companions, knowing well that death must soon put an end to their hopeless efforts. "Vitachuco had placed his confidence in us," they answered, modestly, "and it was our duty to show that we were not unworthy of his favour." Among these prisoners were three who were not more than eighteen or nineteen years of age. They were asked what had determined them to remain so long in the water, as they, being so young, could not occupy any post in the army. "By our birth we were destined for the highest offices, and we are bound to set an example." In listening to these noble and simple replies, all the more touching as given by mere boys, the Spaniards could not restrain their tears, and their