Cabeza de Vaca

http://www.library.txstate.edu/swwc/cdv/book/1.html

This is the account of Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca in which he tells of his experiences in North America in the 1520s. It takes a few hours to read and is absolutely fascinating, with wonderful first hand accounts of the tribes living here in Texas before any significant European contact.

Cabeza de Vaca undoubtedly walked right through the Brazos Valley and down the string prairie that later became the Villa Real/Old San Antonio road (now Highway 21 from Bryan to Bastrop and San Antonio). He also walked right up the Llano River.

The physical journey is amazing enough. However, his spiritual journey and conversion from Conquistador Catholic (kill'em all and let God sort'em out) to a man with a real affection and love for los indios is just as gripping.