A fierce discussion ended in Luis obtaining his wish, and being left for
a fortnight of exploration; his kinsman promising to come for him again at
the mouth of the river St. John. The men left on shore were themselves
past middle age, and the more eager for their quest. They climbed a hill
and watched the brigantines disappear in the distance; then set up a
cross, which they had brought with them, and prayed before it bareheaded.

Sending the youngest of his men up to the top of a tree, Luis learned
from him that they were on an island, after all, and this cheered him
much, as making it more likely that they should find the Fountain of
Youth. He saw that the ground was pawed up, as if in a cattle-range and
that there was a path leading to huts. Taking this path, they met fifty
Indian bowmen, who, whether large or not, seemed to them like giants. The
Spaniards gave them beads and hawk-bells, and each received in return an
arrow, as a token of friendship. The Indians promised them food in the
morning, and brought fish, roots, and pure water; and finding them chilly
from the coldness of the night, carried them in their arms to their homes,
first making four or five large fires on the way. At the houses there were
many fires, and the Spaniards would have been wholly comfortable, had they
not thought it just possible that they were to be offered as a sacrifice.
Still fearing this, they left their Indian friends after a few days and
traversed the country, stopping at every spring or fountain to test its
quality. Alas! they all grew older and more worn in look, as time went on,
and farther from the Fountain of Youth.

After a time they came upon new tribes of Indians, and as they went
farther from the coast these people seemed more and more friendly. They
treated the white men as if come from heaven,--brought them food, made
them houses, carried every burden for them. Some had bows, and went upon