Cabeza de Vaca coasted Louisiana where several deserters fled before Vaca passed the Great River to East Island, where his boat wrecked. Most of his companions would perish, but he would survive to spend the next 6 years on the "Isle of Misfortune," living among natives who respected his "healing" ability. He would eventually flee west, across the Atchafalaya River, finding other survivors. With 3 others, he stopped by Lafayette then headed into Texas on his way to Mexico, Spain's nearest outpost on the continent.
