Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca quotes

Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca was a Spanish explorer and one of the first Europeans to traverse large portions of the Americas. His journeys included shipwreck, survival among Native American tribes, and exploration in what is now the southern United States. He became a notable writer, documenting his extraordinary adventures and observations. Here are 4 of his quotes:

Seeing that our thirst was increasing and the water was killing us, while the storm did not abate, we agreed to trust to God, Our Lord, and rather risk the perils of the sea than wait there for certain death from thirst.

Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca

One-third of our people were dangerously ill, getting worse hourly, and we felt sure of meeting the same fate, with death as our only prospect, which in such a country was much worse yet.

Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca

Two days after moving we recommended ourselves to God, Our Lord, and fled, hoping that, although it was late in the season and the fruits of the tunas were giving out, by remaining in the field we might still get over a good portion of the land.

Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca