The great adventures of Cabeza de Vaca did not end upon reaching New
Spain. After mid-May he and his companions went from San Miguel to
Compostela and then on to Mexico City. ¹ From the coast of Texas they
walked a distance of about 2,800 miles between September or October
1534 and late July 1536 (with eight months rest among the Avavares Indi-
ans). ² They entered Mexico City to a splendid welcome. Antonio de Men-
doza, the first viceroy of New Spain, and Hernán Cortés, the celebrated
conquistador, met them with "great pleasure" and treated them well. ³

Mendoza was very interested in their journey. He ordered them to make
a map for him and wanted to send them back to explore the north. His goal
was "to advance the service of God and the king by means of such prodi-
gious men; he proposed that they return with some men wherein they had
come, to bring the barbarous Indians into submission." Cabeza de Vaca, hav-
ing arranged his voyage to Spain, was unwilling to return. Apparently Men-
doza was not offended, for he honored a request to look after thirty Indians
who had come with Cabeza de Vaca's party to Mexico City. The viceroy
agreed to take care of them and arrange for religious training and baptism,
a promise that was kept. ⁴ Also, he wrote to Spain about Cabeza de Vaca's plan
to visit the monarch and urged a grant of royal favor. ⁵

In October 1536 Cabeza de Vaca was ready to sail for Spain. However, a

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