The Ecstasy of Cabeza de Vaca

In 1528 a Spanish expedition was shipwrecked in the Gulf of Mexico. Eight years later only four men remained alive. One of the four Cabeza de Vaca later published an account of what occurred. Naked and enslaved de Vaca was stripped of all he possessed then underwent an extraordinary transformation. The Ecstasy of Cabeza de Vaca is Keith Hills masterful retelling of Cabeza de Vacas story. This is a heartbreaking account of courage and faith barbarity and miracles that transports us to the limits of human experience.EXCERPTNine days we walked that coast.My one unshakable vowmade on the altar of my determined heartwas never to surrendernever to allow this gruelling wilderness to grind us dust to dust.My two companions were not as strong as mebut they were part now of my hearts promiseand I happily supplied the drive for three.This is what a leader does: he fights to place one foot one bodyone heart in front of the othercajoling pushing demandingto ensure our carcasses did not add tothe fated toll this coast took on its transients.Such is the ignorance of manthat he apes authority and proclaims himself a primate power over his fellow creatures(even if his motive is protection and care)when each mans projected willis but one strand in the intertwined trackswe tread through the worlds troubled choices.I had yet much to learn of what truly chooses our course through life.My first lesson occurred on the ninth day of this our southward trek.