The Cross and the Mask: How the Spanish 'discovered' Florida - and a proud native nation

When Spanish settlers first arrived on the shores of La Florida in 1565, they would soon be immersed in one of the most dramatic struggles in human history. At first Florida seemed so inviting. A virgin  tropical wilderness would be settled and cultivated to yield riches rivaling the bounty of gold and silver that treasure ships already brought back from Mexico and South America. At the same time the penninsula might be inhabited by primitive natives who would quickly accept Christianity and happily harvest a cornucopia of crops and husband food animals for the tables of Europe. No better man could King Phillip II pick to lead the Enterprise of Florida than fearless, swashbuckling Pedro Menendez de Aviles. But he and his men soon found themselves confronting fierce and fearless native Americans who had been a proud kingdom longer than Spain itself. The Cross and the Mask chronicles the clash of religions, weapons and wills as a documentary novel faithful to actual dates and events. Through the eyes of the Spanish Menendez and the young Indian Lujo, we see two perspectives that led to death and devastation for both peoples.