They came at last to an inlet which led invitingly up among wooded banksand flowery valleys, and here the older knight said, "Let us disembarkhere and strike inland. My heart tells me that here at last will be foundthe Fountain of Youth." "Nonsense," said Juan, "our way lies by water.""Then leave me here with my men," said Luis. He had brought with him fiveservants, mostly veterans, from his own estate in Spain.A fierce discussion ended in Luis obtaining his wish, and being left fora fortnight of exploration; his kinsman promising to come for him again atthe mouth of the river St. John. The men left on shore were themselvespast middle age, and the more eager for their quest. They climbed a hilland watched the brigantines disappear in the distance; then set up across, 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 learnedfrom him that they were on an island, after all, and this cheered himmuch, as making it more likely that they should find the Fountain ofYouth. He saw that the ground was pawed up, as if in a cattle-range andthat there was a path leading to huts. Taking this path, they met fiftyIndian bowmen, who, whether large or not, seemed to them like giants. TheSpaniards gave them beads and hawk-bells, and each received in return anarrow, as a token of friendship.
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