Conquistadors soon learned that metal armor was no protection against native arrows which easily penetrated three layers of chain mail. In order to keep from being skewered inside their breastplate, they turned to the ESPADILLA,made of several layers of cotton which deflected arrows. Some soldiers even wore a headcovering or helmet-liner made of layers of cotton to keep arrows from penetrating their skull.

Arquebus

Brad Spear sports an arquebus and "twelve disciples" or powder flasks that are draped from a leather strap across the chest. He is leaning on the rest that helps to hold the heavy gun while firing. Loading and firing an arquebus was slow. The Indians could fire several arrows during the time it took to reload the gun.

On the march through La Florida, shelters made of palm fronds were often hurridly thrown together for the night.

Of course most men on the expedition were common soldiers or sailors, who spent a lot of their time waiting for something to happen. Even though native people were often captured to work as slaves, there was still enough work to be done by all hands in transporting goods and gear.