The Adventures of Juan Ortiz: Explorer, Captive, Interpreter

By Lowell Eberwein

The Adventures of Juan Ortiz: Explorer, Captive, Interpreter is a captivating story of a fifteen year-old noble who left Seville, Spain, to explore the New World. This engaging story is based on Juan's real-life experiences. He left Spain to seek excitement and unexpectedly found more than he anticipated.

During his journeys, Juan experienced the life as an explorer on a Spanish galleon crossing the Atlantic Ocean. He was then taken captive by a Calusa Indian village in Southwest Florida and then lived with another village for nine years. Juan was later found by Hernando de Soto and served as his interpreter, translating the Indians languages into Spanish.

Readers of The Adventures of Juan Ortiz will be riveted by the fast-paced action as Juan transforms from a spoiled noble into a compassionate explorer who is torn between two cultures and must ultimately decide how to use the skills he's learned to do what is right for the people he has grown to respect.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: May 13, 2022
• ISBN: 9781685177409

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The Adventures of Juan Ortiz

Explorer, Captive, Interpreter

Lowell Eberwein

ISBN 978-1-68517-739-3 (paperback)

ISBN 979-8-88540-877-6 (hardcover)

ISBN 978-1-68517-740-9 (digital)

Copyright © 2022 by Lowell Eberwein

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments

Introduction

Part I1

Explorer

Chapter 1

On a Sixteenth-Century Galleon

Chapter 2

Serve Officers

Chapter 3

Stowaway

Chapter 4

Caught

Chapter 5

Mate Pete Finds Stowaway

Chapter 6

Navigating the Galleon

Chapter 7

Steering Broken

Chapter 8

Land Sighted

Chapter 9

Cuba

Chapter 10

Search for Our Two Ships

Chapter 11

Spring Storm

Chapter 12

Havana Bound

Chapter 13

Our Ships Return from Florida

Chapter 14

Return to Florida

Part II8

Captive

Chapter 15

Terrified

Chapter 16

More Warriors Arrive

Chapter 17

Punishment Continues

Chapter 18

Rescue

Chapter 19

Escape

Chapter 2017

Mucozo's Village

Chapter 21

Make Fire

Chapter 22

Celebration

Chapter 23

Hirrihigua Searches for Me

Chapter 24

Fishing

Chapter 25

Dugout

Chapter 26

Brotherhood of Warriors

Chapter 27

My Hut and Two Strangers Arrive

Part III19

Interpreter

Chapter 28

Spanish Explorers Arrive

Chapter 29

Goodbye, Mucozo

Chapter 30

New World Journey Begins

Chapter 31

Conflicts

Chapter 32

Vitachuco

Chapter 33

Bloody Battle

Chapter 34

Apalache

Chapter 35

Move beyond Appalache

Chapter 36

Mauvila

Chapter 37

On North

Chapter 38

Great River

Chapter 39

Big Water

Chapter 40

De Soto Turns South

Chapter 41

My Cough Persists

Chapter 42

My Soul Rises

Chapter 43

The World beyond the World

Chapter 44

Ashes

Chapter 45

Hernando de Soto

Epilogue

Bibliography

About the Author

To Jane…

with love

Acknowledgments

The Adventures of Juan Ortiz could not have been accomplished without the assistance of many persons. This story could not have been written without the exemplary life of Juan Ortiz. Juan was a shining example of the triumph of the human spirit despite the grueling struggles he faced during his short life. Credits must also be given to Garcilaso de la Vega for writing The Florida of the Inca and to John Varner and Jeanette Varner for translating De la Vega's book into the English language. Readers of the translated book appreciate the numerous footnotes giving The Florida of the Inca an accurate historical context. Both the writing of the book and the translation with historical contexts were herculean tasks.

The librarian at the Sanibel Public Library in Florida was helpful to sight Elinore Dormer's book, The Sea Shell Island, in reference to how Captiva Island, Florida, was named. Her book hypothesized that Captiva was a Spanish alliteration of the word captive. Dormer cited the story of Juan Ortiz's capture and included references. These references were central to the development of the Adventures of Juan Ortiz.

In Lexington, Kentucky, The Carnegie Center for Literacy and Learning critiqued The Aventures of Juan Ortiz and gave valuable information for the book's development. A staff person at Carnegie Center, Marcia Thornton Jones, made significant contributions. Marcia provided valuable support and critical suggestions. Without Marcia's support, The Adventures of Juan Ortiz would not have been completed. I would be remiss if I didn't include Chuck White and the editors of Christian Faith Publishing who were crucial in revising the book so that it meets the standards of published books. These editors and Kameron Surra deserve my sincere appreciation for attention to detail.

I'm indebted to Kevin Eberwein, my son, who gave me a Dell computer after my McIntosh died. This Dell computer facilitated the conversion of my ideas into a printed document. Another support person was Ron Curtis, a computer specialist. Ron retrieved an early copy of The Adventures of Juan Ortiz from my McIntosh computer and assisted with computer problems numerous times. My wife, Jane Martin Eberwein, was important to the development of The Adventures of Juan Ortiz. She accompanied me during travels across Florida and Southeastern United States, permitted the use of personal resources, read and offered suggestion, plus encouraged the continued pursuit of the project. Jane's support is gratefully acknowledged.

Introduction

The Adventures of Juan Ortiz is a Historical Fiction book. The story is based on the real-life adventures of 15 year old Juan Ortiz who left Spain as a privileged noble in order to explore the New World in 1527. Juan's journey started when he crossed the Atlantic Ocean, stopped at Caribbean Islands, lived in Florida for over a decade and finally followed Hernando de Soto and his army across Eastern North America.

As an explorer, Juan endured storms on the high seas. Two ships were destroyed during a hurricane and half the crew died. After a winter in Cuba Panfilo de Narvaez restarted the exploration and began his Florida exploration. After months of absence, Panfilo's wife sent Juan and a small crew to Florida where Juan and two friends were captured by the Calusa Indians.

Juan's capture was tragic because his two friends were killed. Then Juan was severely punished. He stayed with this Indian village for more than a year then escaped to another village. Juan's life with Mucozo's Indian village was supportive; he became a valuable member of the village and learned the Calusa language

Juan lived in Indian villages for more than ten years then Hernando de Soto's general searched southwest Florida for Juan and found him in a meadow. DeSoto welcomed Juan then asked him to become part of DeSoto's army and serve as his interpreter of the Indians' languages as they wandered across eastern North America. Numerous conflicts developed between DeSoto's army and the Indian villages.

Readers of The Adventures of Juan Ortiz will be riveted by the fast-paced action and will relate to the dilemmas faced by Juan as he transforms from a spoiled Spanish noble into a compassionate explorer.

Welcome to the world of Juan Ortiz.

Part I¹

Explorer

Chapter 1

On a Sixteenth-Century Galleon

Fish jump out of the water as we sail the deep Atlantic just off the Spanish coast.

I tell my friend Ibn, We're one of five large ships in our fleet. Never in my wildest dream did I ever believe we would become members of the largest explorations to the New World. I glance at the deck swarming with seamen and say, We're two of over a hundred men on this galleon. More than a hundred!

The Atlantic Ocean is dangerous, Ibn says. What will we run into?

Sharks, rough seas, and of course, the unknown, I say.

Ibn says, How can we be safe?

Facing the unknown is why we chose this adventure, I say. Our life in Seville was boring, and we wanted excitement.

Risk is expected when you sail in the Atlantic Ocean, I continue. "Traveling on Panfilo de Navarez's galleon to the New World is exciting. Panfilo, our captain, worked with the king of Spain for more than a year before 1527 to support our expedition. This fleet is impressive as we enter the Atlantic.²

I say as the waves crash against the hull, Look at this galleon. Its length is 170 feet, the deck measures 129 by 33 feet at its widest, and it weighs a whopping 495 tons. Its sails go up 121 feet. It's almost as large as the cathedral in Seville, but it sails across the high seas. Huge is the word that describes our galleon.

As waves splash over the main deck, Ibn says, We need to check out the ship if we don't want to be laughed at.

All of a sudden, tears appear in Ibn's eyes as he says, Leaving Spain was difficult. Saying goodbye to my family was tough. How about you?

Leaving Mother, my sister, grandfather, and grandmother was miserable, I say. A part of me wanted to stay in Seville. I didn't decide to leave Seville until my brother, Filipe, clobbered me when I broke a wooden support at our vineyard. Would you believe that my brother, Filipe, left me in the field to die? After the incident, Grandfather told me, Juan, you need do something other than work at the family's winery…especially since Filipe will inherit the family business." So I asked myself, do I want to live in the constant fear that my brother would kill me?

I do realize that life as a Spanish noble was easy. The Cathedral priest taught me to read and write while you and your mother took care of us at our villa. My friends considered me lucky. But my brother envied my privileged life. Filipe's hatred was so deep that leaving Spain was my best option. I decided to take a chance on sailing to the New World after Grandfather, you, and I visited Christopher Columbus's tomb in Seville. Luckily, Grandfather Ortez found us jobs on Panfilo's galleon. This was a good option and an easy choice since Seville is the center for explorations to the New World.

We're shaken on deck as waves slap the hull hard enough to rock the ship. I hold onto the railing to steady my body.

Hope we'll make this journey without serious injury, I say. Grandfather told me, Juan, you need to do something different… Filipe will inherit the family business.

We make our way to the officers' quarters and find the captain's wife, Dona de Narvaez, our supervisor, sitting on the deck. I introduce myself, and Ibn gives his name. We need to find out what we're going to do on ship. She explains we're to serve food, make beds, empty commodes, and clean the quarters.

You will also wash clothes, heat water for baths, and do what else I assign, she says.

Ibn says, I can do that. That's what my mother and I did at your villa, Juan.

Dona adds, Juan, since you know how to read and write, you're to read prayers and psalms every time the hour glass turns so the crew can keep track of time.³

I thank Dona and smile as we leave the quarter deck.

I look at Ibn and ask, Where do you pee around here?

Ask that mate, Ibn says as he laughs.

I say, Good day, mate. Where do you pee around here?.

Mate Pete says, From de deck. We throw everything we don't want in de drink.

I smile at Ibn and say, That tells us what to do with the commodes.

I take care of my business and pass dozens of sailors as we walk down the steps to the second deck. The sailors wear shirts, pants to the knees, brimmed hats, and at times go barefoot. We find our quarters on the second deck. Looking out a porthole, I see large guns jutting out from the third deck. We stuff our clothes in a wooden chest in the cabin and hook our rope beds to the wall. We're tired and jump in.

Lying in the dark room, I wonder if we made the right decision to join Panfilo's exploration. I wonder if my clothes and shoes are too nice for the ship. I'm thin, just over five feet tall and still growing, have black hair, blue eyes, and a good smile. I like to ask questions and receive thoughtful answers. I question whether I'll be able to take care of the officers. I've never worked as a servant. I'm an oddball on this ship. Hope I can adapt. I'm accustomed to reading classical Latin books and writing my opinion about topics like war, peace, and love. But this constant crashing of waves on the hull, coupled with my tossing and turning, causes me to become anxious. What will we run into as we cross the Atlantic Ocean?

I tell myself, Quit fretting and just go to sleep!

Chapter 2

Serve Officers

I wake with a jolt in the morning, shake Ibn, splash water on my face, and jump into my clothes. We quickly rush up the steps to the officers' quarters. Despite my fears, serving food is easy. Pedro, the cook, prepares the food, and we carry it to the officers' quarters. Ibn and I place the food on plates and serve it. We serve the seven officers plus Dona and Panfilo de Narvaez.

I'm stunned by the officers' talk. My family doesn't use these words, and I hope I don't blush. These officers are a rowdy bunch. Dona is the only woman on the galleon but holds her own with this salty crew.

Ibn shows me how to chip Castile soap in warm water, drop in the dishes, rub with a rag, then rinse with rainwater and dry.

Ibn warns me, Don't let dirty dishes set around because the dried food is difficult to wash clean.

Serving and cleaning the officers' quarters is just common sense. Don't know why I fretted so.

A strong breeze suddenly appears during the noon meal. Lightning flashes and thunder cracks. I've become accustomed to the gentle movements of the galleon, but I'm unprepared for the severe shifts.

During the storm, I place food on plates and carry them to the officers. I place Panfilo's plate on the table. The galleon lunges as I place Dona's meal in front of her. Food falls into Dona's lap, and the pewter plate crashes to the deck with a thud. Ibn grabs a towel.

Panfilo looks at me, lets out a string of swear words, grabs my neck, and twists my left arm behind my back.

I wonder, is he going to throw me in the drink?

Dona stands, slaps Panfilo's face, shouting, No harm's done, Panfilo. Tis the way of the ship. She's the master, and we're her slaves.

Panfilo releases his stranglehold and returns to his meal.

The officers laugh and chant, Hip, hip, hurrah for our noble lady.

Dona brushes the food off her dress, and I serve another plate. The meal continues as if nothing happened. I was prepared for the worst. I better watch what I'm doing, or Panfilo will toss me overboard.

We clean the floor and wash dishes. The storm continues, and of course, the galleon keeps shifting. The wind is shrill, and high waves splash across the foredeck. Sails bulge and crack in the high winds. Ibn and I head down the stairs to our quarters.

Tis the first of de storms, yells Mate Pete as we dash by. We'll have more storms on the Atlantic.

Soaked, I change clothes, but I'm cold and shiver. My stomach churns. I eat a biscuit to settle my stomach. My gut cramps. I poke my head out the port hole, and a sour mash catapults from my mouth.

Ibn sprints to Mate Pete on the main deck and tells him, Juan's sick.

Pete scratches his head and says, Welcome to de sea. He be seasick. Give him a pan, and he be good as new when de storm passes.

Sea life is rough, storms are violent, and I spend the night praying we don't bump into more violent storms.

A week later, our fleet docks at Tenerife in the Canary Islands. Tenerife is a Spanish colony about a week's journey from Spain. We port to get supplies in Santa Cruz before crossing the Atlantic.

It takes a lot of food to feed the crew for the fifty-day trip to the New World. I've never seen so much food in one place. The ship's second mate, Hugo, is in charge of placing the supplies on board assisted by the crew. He lowers the food to the third deck with ropes and pulleys. The crew works from sunup to sundown to position the food, drinks and firewood in the galleon.

While washing dishes, I ask Ibn, Do you want to continue with the voyage? Or do you want to jump ship in Tenerife and return to Spain?

Ibn says, I can't believe you said that. After all the pain we went through leaving Spain, you want to return!

I say, "This is our last chance. Personally, I don't want to return and spend the rest of my life