Who Soto was, and how he came to get the government of Florida.

Hernando de Soto was the son of an esquire of XerÉz de BadajÓz, and went to the Indias of the Ocean Sea, belonging to Castile, at the time PedrÁrias DÁvila was the Governor. He had nothing more than blade and buckler: for his courage and good qualities PedrÁrias appointed him to be captain of a troop of horse, and he went by his order with Hernando Pizarro to conquer Peru.[226] According to the report of many persons who were there, he distinguished himself over all the captains and principal personages present, not only at the seizure of AtabalÍpa, lord of Peru, and in carrying the City of Cuzco, but at all other places wheresoever he went and found resistance. Hence, apart from his share in the treasure of AtabalÍpa, he got a good amount, bringing together in time, from portions falling to his lot, one hundred and eighty thousand cruzados, which he brought with him to Spain. Of this the Emperor borrowed a part, which was paid; six hundred thousand reales[227] in duties on the silks of Granada, and the rest at the Casa de Contratacion.[228]

In Seville, Soto employed a superintendent of household, an usher, pages, equerry, chamberlain, footmen, and all the other servants requisite for the establishment of a gentleman. Thence he went to Court, and while there was accompanied by Juan de AÑasco of Seville, Luis Moscoso de Alvarado, NuÑo de TobÁr, and Juan Rodriguez Lobillo. All, except AÑasco, came with him from Peru; and each brought fourteen or fifteen thousand cruzados. They went well and costly apparelled; and Soto, although by nature not profuse, as it was the first time he was to show himself at Court, spent largely, and went about closely attended by those I have named, by his dependents, and by many others who there came about him. He married DoÑa Ysabel de Bobadilla, daughter of PedrÁrias DÁvila, Count of PuÑonrostro. The Emperor made him Governor of the Island of Cuba and Adelantado of Florida, with title of Marquis to a certain part of the territory he should conquer.