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Show 196 LEADING FACTS OF NEW MEXICAN HISTORY FRANCISCO This Indian was drowned by order of Diaz so that the savages would not know that he had discovered their plot, and, the following day, the attack was made, Diaz driving them into the mountains and successfully crossing the river with his men and horses. He then followed the right bank of the river in a southeasterly direction in search of the coast.?1! Having proceeded on his journey, one day a greyhound belonging to one of the soldiers chased some sheep which were being taken along for food. When the captain noticed this DEATH OF MELCHIOR DIAZ he threw his lance at the dog while his horse was running, so that it stuck up in the ground, and not being able to stop his horse he went over the lance so that it nailed him through the thighs, and the iron came out behind, rupturing his bladder. On account of this accident to Diaz, the command turned back and were compelled each day to battle with Indians. Diaz lived twenty days and was buried in the sandy wastes of the desert. The soldiers quickly returned to Sonora, which they reached in safety. Upon their arrival, Alearaz, who had been left in command by Diaz, sent word to Coronado of the death of Diaz,?'? also notifying him that some of the soldiers had been mutinriver. If they had as much discretion and courage power, the attempt would have succeeded. ”’ as they had strength and 211 Castafieda, Relacion, p. 501: ‘Continuing in the direction they had been going, they came to some sand-banks of hot ashes which it was impossible to cross without being drowned as in the sea. The they were standing on trembled like a sheet of paper, so that it seemed ground as neath them. It seemed wonderful and like Something if there were lakes underinfernal, for the ashes to bubble up here in several places. ’’ 212 Mota Padilla, p. 158, gives an account of the journey and death of Diaz, as follows: ‘‘He started before the end of September, going into the rough 7 west of Corazones valley, and, finding only a fon naked. weal eared ae Var, who had come, as he understood, from the land on the farther side of a Nn om ad at 1. €., Lower California. He hurried across this region and descended om ains on the west, where he encountered the Indian giants, some of a “ae army had already seen. an to the Sea coast and Turning toward the north, spent several days among or northwest, he the Indians who fed im with corn which they raised and with fish. He travelled slowly up the coast river which was large enough for vessels to 7, : the Spaniards observed that when the natives 0 keep warm, they ee et This curious —— Bio del Tizon. Near the was written, ‘A letter is at the foot of woe Search took a burning stick and held it to their habit led the Spaniards to name the river mouth of the river was a tree on which this.’ Diaz dug down and found a jar The enclosed papers stated ched this place in the year ’40 with three ships, of Francisco Vasquez Coronado by the viceroy, VASQUEZ CORONADO 197 ous; that he had been compelled to sentence two of them to be hanged, but both had escaped. Upon his return from the province of Tusayan, Captain Pedro de Tovar related to the captain-general all he had seen and heard of the Colorado river and the race of giants who lived along its banks. DON GARCIA LOPEZ DE CARDENAS without delay, sent Don Coronado, DISCOVERS THE GRAND CANYON Garcia Lopez de Cardenas and OF THE COLORADO twelve companions to discover the his journey by way of the Moqui on proceeded Cardenas river. pueblos, who furnished him with guides, carrying with him provisions for twenty days’ travel, as there was a great desert lying between Tusayan and the river which had to be crossed. They passed this desert in safety, suffering much from the cold, however, although The country was covered with a growth it was in the summer time. they of low, stunted pine trees. Arriving at the banks of the river, the reach to impossible was it that rugged and high found these so From the top of the bank the stream did not appear more water. it was half than a fathom in breadth, while the Indians told them a league and Cardenas wide. several aa marched his command by ‘whic along the ridge of mountains searching for an opening continuous one they might descend to the stream; but there appeared and far below barrier of almost perpendicular rock on either side, the bank point one At thread. silver a like seen the river could be bt silane D. Antonio Mendoza; waiting many days : i and after crossing the bar at the without aboEene O67 erne ae ies oe d cay navalis. cause the ships were being eaten by worms, oa h : untry might become ‘Diaz determined to cross the river, hoping that the snes danger more attractive. The passage was accomplished — ated with a sort of means of certain large wicker baskets, which the oe i. six Indians caught bitumen, so that the water could not leak through. Hive 0 Oe , ee the Spanorting ees i — d transp across, eneiding T hold of each of these and swam i ith their baggage and es et aa for te became steadily more barren, being suppor ry, but not finding any he decided to return which ay ecco Se The iit aataaabakiel “ party made its way back to the country of the git ts began to bark then one night while Diaz was watching the camp i ce for food. and chase the flock of sheep which the men had t h rseback and threw Unable to call the dog off, Diaz started after ~~ a lance while on the gallop. The weapon Diaz could stop or turn his horse, which was eS a oo éh round, i hie anos The soldiers could do little to relieve : His his groin. arrived January before they: reached the settlement, where they his and before socket pierced aud: he. died 18, 1541.’? |