Des+Soto+Elizabeth+Ratz

Hernando De Soto By: Lizzy Ratz

Dear Journal, 1524

Thank you so much Monarchy of Spain for the money for the expadition to Nicaragua, South America. I shall take Francisco de Cordoba to my long journey. I will go for the gold and to colonize North America.

I am on the ship and there is a big storm outside. Some of me crew are being thrown all over the place. It is my job to keep my crew safe on the long jorney. AHH, this is terible the storm is throwing my crew over board! "Everyone under the deck it is to dangerous out here!" I yelled. Most of my crew is under the deck. Cordoba, three men of my crew, and I are still on the outside. The steering the boat and it is very hard to dodge the waves.

The waves are starting to calm down. " Land I see land!" I shouted, "Go strait to the land!" When we got to Nicarago Cordoba, and I went to explore. We took off our shoes to feel the soft sand hit our blistered feet. As we were exploring we found Pedrarias Dávila, a fierce fighter and great horseman. Pedrarias Dávila and I found out that Cordoba was trying to take the land for himself. I decided to side with Pedrarias Dávila and we killed Cordoba. We met Indians and decided to live here and have a slave trade.

When I came back to Spain I brought back gold. I am very rich and took a wife. I am now named governer of Cuba and have a mission to colonize North America. When my troop got there we set out to look for riches. We spread war and are being under attack!

De soto died on May 21,1542. He died either of battle wounds or from the disease. The survivors fled to Mexico. Even though De Soto died we have learned alot from him. He was the first explorer to go deep into North America so we learned that North America was really big. He started exploring in 1524 and ended in 1542. That means he lived an exploring life of 18 years.

Hernando's Route