Our Catliolic Heritage in Texas
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became lame and a number dropped dead on the way. Many deep ravines were crossed during the march. From the description of the country and the distances traveled, they were now at or near the present site of Langtry, where there is a small spring which may have been the one where the party pitched camp after their tiresome journey. Snow seems to have continued to fall, but the party bravely resumed its march on January 7, following the river as nearly as possible. After traveling nine leagues more, they came to a place where many wild grapevines were growing, for which reason they called it Parral. A strong norther was still blowing and it was snowing, but they went on seven leagues beyond to a deep ravine surrounded by hills. This must have been either Indian Creek or Canyon, south of Dryden. On one of the hills they found a large wooden cross standing, and called it La Santa Cruz de Mayo, their benumbed bodies bringing to them perhaps memories of sunny May. The next day they decided to turn back, for it was impossible for them to follow the river or to cross it because of its very high banks. By forced marches the travelers were able to retrace their steps in three days, arriving late in the evening on January 11 in San Diego, where the camp had remained. Captain Miguel de la Garza Falcon and his men had explored from a few miles above present Del Rio to the vicinity of Dryden, a distance of thirty-three leagues or approximately one hundred miles. Furthermore, they had found evidence of previous Spanish penetration, the lonely cross upon the bleak hill, standing out against the white snow, being a silent but eloquent witness of an unknown entrada into this region. 5 While the party under Captain Miguel explored the country to the north, the Governor of Coahuila had decided that the new Presidio del Sacramento should be established on the San Diego at the site where he had made his camp. This river has a very short course. From its source to the camp and from that place to the Rio Grande into which the stream empties the distance is only a few miles. On January 5, he ordered the men who had remained in camp to cut forty logs. The next day, being the Feast of the Epiphany, a large cross made of wood was set up on a high hill nearby and the men said the rosary at its foot, singing the Alabado afterwards. On January 7, they cut twenty-five more logs; then came Sunday when they enjoyed a rest. During the srnario y derrotero, q nros. Dn. Blas de la Garza Falcon • • • Y Dn. Jose~h ~nto. Eca y Musquiz ... in Testimonio de la fundaci6n • • • A• G. I., Aud,enc,a de Mexico, 61-2-18 (Coahuila, 1733-1738), I 17-132.
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