of
the mines, many of the officers regarded tin- change of plan a- a
mistake, and favored staying where they were until the ae\i crop
should !><■ ripened, then to go directly into the mountains, but as the
general was "a stern man and of few words," none ventured to oppose
his resolution. 1 The province of ( loca was the territory of the ( !reek
Indians, called Ani'-Kusa by the < Iherokee, from EZusa, or < !oosa, their
ancienl capital, while Chiaha was identical with Chehaw, 01 f the
principal Creek towns on Chattahoochee river. Cofitachiqui may
have Keen the capital of the LTchee Indians.
The outrageous conduct of the Spaniards had bo angered the Indian
queen thai she now refused i<> furnish guides and carriers, whereupon
l>e Sot<> made her a prisoner, with the design of compelling herto act
as guide herself, and at the same time to use her as a hostage to com-
mand the obedience pf her subjects, instead, however, of ( lucting
the Spaniards by the direct trail toward the west, she led them far
out Hi' their course until she finally managed to make her escape,
leaving them to find their way out of the mountain.-- as best they could.
Departing from Cofitachiqui, they turned tirst toward the north,
passing through several towns subject to the queen, to whom, although
a pris r. the Indians everywhere showed great respect and obe-
dience, furnishing whatever assistance the Spaniards compelled her to
demand for their own purposes. In a few day- they came to "a
province called Chalaque," the territory of the Cherokee Indians.
probably upon the waters of Keowee river, the eastern head-stream
of