of the
Spaniards were wounded while on the water, as the Indians continually
shot their arrows against them unopposed. One of the piraguas got
straight across to the landing, but the other was forced some way down
by the current, and had to be towed up. Two horsemen landed from the
first piragua, who drove the Indians above two hundred paces back, and
made four several charges before any reinforcement could land; but at
length were joined by other four horsemen, and made several desperate
charges on the Indians, so as to allow of the infantry getting on shore;
but as these were almost all wounded, they were obliged to take shelter
in an Indian town hard by. Soto came over in the second trip of the
piraguas, accompanied by sixty men; and the Indians, on seeing the
Spanish force increase, retired to a fortified town in the
neighbourhood, whence they frequently sallied out to skirmish with the
Spaniards; but as the cavalry killed many of them with their spears,
they evacuated that place during the night.

The Spaniards now broke up their piraguas, keeping the iron work for
future service, and advanced farther into the country. In four days they
reached a town called _Chicoza_[168], well situated in a fertile
country among brooks and surrounded by abundance of fruit trees.
Resolving to spend the winter in this place, Soto caused it to be
fortified, huts to be built for the accommodation of his troops, and all
the provisions that could be procured to be collected. At this place
they remained in peace for about two months, the horsemen making
frequent excursions into the surrounding country in quest of provisions.
Such Indians as happened to be made prisoners on these occasions were
immediately set at liberty, receiving various trinkets for themselves
and presents for their chiefs, with messages desiring them to repair to
the Spanish quarters to enter into terms of peace and amity. The chiefs
sent presents of fruit in return, and promised soon to visit the Spanish
general. Soon afterwards they began every night to alarm the Spaniards;
and one night three considerable bodies of them drew near the town about
midnight, and when about an hundred paces from the entrenchments they
set up loud shouts and made a prodigious noise with their warlike
instruments; after which, with burning wreaths of a certain plant tied
round their arrows, they set the town on fire, all the houses being
thatched. Undismayed at this calamity, the Spaniar