De Soto
FERNANDO, a Spanish de los Caval discoverer; born at Jeres de los Caval- 1519; served on the expedition to Nicara- panied Pedrarias Davila to Darien in now gave him permission to conquer Flor- ing to Spain with a fortune. Charles V. Pizarro in the conquest of Peru, return- gua in 1527; and afterward assisted good but impoverished family; accomida at his own expense, and appointed him 1519; served on the expedition to Nicaragua in 1527; and afterward assisted Pizarro in the conquest of Peru, returning to Spain with a fortune. Charles V. now gave him permission to conquer Florida at his own expense, and appointed him was begun. For three years, harassed rom San Lucar with a rich richly equipped company. The fleet anchored in the bay of Espiritu Santo (now Tampa Bay) on May 25, 1539; the ships were sent back to Cuba, and the long search for gold was begun. For three years, harassed Mississippi in the spring, De Soto, worn on Washita river. Returning to the crossed, and the third winter was spent 1541 the Mississippi was reached and the company continued the quest. In 1541 the Mississippi was reached and crossed, and the third winter was spent on Washita river. Returning to the Mississippi in the spring, De Soto, worn out by disappointments, died of a fever on its banks, in June, 1542; and that his death might be concealed from the Indians, was lowered at midnight into the waters of the great stream he had discovered. In the following his panions, reduced to half their original number, sailed down the river, and finally reached the town of Panuco, in Mexico.