On July 20, 1539, at the Indian village of Luca, cavalry captain Baltasar de Gallegos returned to Hernando de Soto after failing to meet Chief Urriparacoxi, who had hidden in the forest, though the chief’s men told stories of gold to the north. Garcilaso de la Vega wrote that the cavaliers were so intent on conquering and seeking gold and silver that they ignored matters of greater importance, such as tracing the limits of the land. Native path trails and roads linked settlements so messengers could travel quickly, chiefs could keep contact with other villages for defense and ceremonial events, and food and trade goods could be transported; many modern highways follow these ancient trade routes. One reason de Soto explored La Florida was to find a suitable port and place to establish a colony for Holy Roman Emperor King Charles V of Spain, providing Spanish ships carrying gold and treasures from the Americas a safe harbor before crossing the Atlantic, but de Soto accomplished neither task and never made the attempt.