On September 23, 1539, conquistador Hernando de Soto and his men reached a large river, the present-day Suwannee, weary from battle, and planned to rest there for two days before crossing. Envoys of Chief Uzachile brought a peace offering of deer, and the Spaniards named the river El Rio de los Venado, the River of the Deer, because Indian messengers from Uzachile brought deer there and many good ones were found in the land. According to Rodrigo Rangel, de Soto's army left Napituca, arrived at the River of the Deer, and built a bridge of three large pines in length and four in breadth to cross it. De Soto was known for a hot temper that frightened his own men and often led him to order the execution of those who failed in their responsibilities. After leaving the village of Uzachile, a young soldier named Cadena left the march to retrieve his forgotten sword, and de Soto ordered him whipped and hanged for desertion, but appeals from de Soto's captains and priests saved his life. Most of Uzachile's warriors had been killed or captured during a failed attack on de Soto, and hoping to appease him, Uzachile sent gifts and offerings to the Spanish, then deserted his village while de Soto's army passed.