Then later he served as a governer of the eastern province of Hispaniola. During this time he went to explore a nearby island, which is now known today as Puerto Rico. Whilst searching for a "Fountain of Youth", he led his expedition to the coast of what is now Florida in 1513. Believing he found the correct island, he went back in 1521 to colonize the area. Soon after they got to shore, Ponce de Leon was injured in an Indian attack that did lead to his death. Before his death, he went on an expedition with 50 soldiers in search of large amounts of gold in what is now Puerto Rico.
When he returned a year later in