In  the  preceding  chapter  we  have  given  the  reader
some  insight  into  De  Avila's  politic  designs  with  regard
to  De  Soto.  To  afford  a  better  understanding  of  this
subject,  and  to  explain  several  incidents  which  must
soon  be  related,  we  will  now  make  a  further  exhibition
of  the  shady  side  of  Don  Pedro's  character.  His  dispo-
sition, according  to  Herrera,*  was  tyrannical  and  perfidi-
ous in  the  highest  degree;  but  the  qualities  here  imputed
to  him,  would  not,  by  themselves,  entitle  him  to  much
distinction  among  his  co-laborers  in  America  who  are
supposed  to  have  plowed  that  field  to  prepare  it  for  the
dissemination  of  Christianity.  In  several  particulars,
De  Avila  differed  essentially  j&om  others  who  were  en-
gaged in  the  same  spurious  work  of  Christian  benevo-
lence. He  was  not  excessively  religious,  and  therefore
could  not  excuse  his  enormities,  (as  some  others  did
theirs,)  with  the  impious  pretense  that  they  were  done
for  the  service  of  God  and  the  benefit  of  the  Holy
Catholic  Church.  But  the  most  distinctive  trait  of  Don
Pedro's  character  was  his  apparent  freedom  from  the
prevailing  vice  of  covetousness,  which  was  a  stronger
motive  than  superstition  itself  with  a  majority  of  those
persons  who  took  a  part  in  the  American  crusade.
Though  Don  Pedro  de  Avila  may  not  be  liable  to  the
charge  of  avarice,  he  certainly  stands  accountable  for  as

*  Herrera,  Dec.  i.,  Lib.  ii.,  Cap.  2,  3,  and  4.
