The Spaniards, on finally reaching Aute, they…

The Spaniards, on finally reaching Aute, they find the village already deserted and burnt.

They harvest enough corn, beans, and squash from the garden to feed their party, many of whom are starving, wounded and sick.

After two days, Narváez sends Cabeza de Vaca to look for an opening to the sea.

He doesn't find the sea, but after half a day's march along the Wakulla River and St. Marks River, he finds shallow, salty water filled with oyster beds.

Two more days of scouting produce no better results, and the men returned to tell Narváez the news.

Narvaez decides to go to the oyster beds for the food.

With many of the horses carrying the sick and wounded, the Spanish realize they are struggling for survival.

Some consider cannibalism to survive.

During the march, some of the caballeros talk about stealing their horses and abandoning everyone else.

Although Narváez is too ill to take action, Cabeza de Vaca learns of the plan and persuades them to stay.

After a few days stuck near the shallow waters, one man comes up with a plan.

He suggests reforging their weaponry and armor to make tools and to build new boats to sail to Mexico.

The party agrees and starts action on August 4, 1528.

They construct a forge out of a log and use deerskins for the bellows.

They cut down trees and make charcoal for the forge.

They the forge hammers, saws, axes, and nails out of their iron gear.

Caulking is made from the pitch of pine trees, and palmetto leaves are used as oakum.

They sew shirts together for sails.

Occasionally they raid the Aute village, from which they steal six hundred and forty bushels of corn to sustain themselves during the construction.

Twice, within sight of the camp, ten men gathering shellfish are killed by Apalachee raids.