1Jfissio11ary Activity Among tlie A,paclies, 1743-1758
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Don Pedro intended to leave immediately for San Antonio, but heavy rains and cold weather delayed him until December 12, when, accompanied by Fray Jose Lopez and ten soldiers, he set out. Five days later he reached his destination only to find that the men from La Bahia had not arrived. Impatiently he waited until December 23, when he resolutely marched north from San Antonio to explore the Apache country with twenty-five men, among whom were included several mission Indians. \.Vith him went also the faithful Fray Jost! Lopez. After traveling eight leagues, they camped at Puerto Viejo, where they found some permanent pools of water. Christmas Eve they went on in the same general direction for ten leagues and camped at Arcon or Alarcon River (present Joshua Creek). The bed of the stream was deep and its banks were heavily timbered with sabine and cottonwoods. The consensus of opinion was that irrigation was impractical. Early on Christmas morning, Mass was said, and the determined little group moved on in the same northern direction to the source of the Peder- nales, eight leagues away. Don Pedro was told this stream dried up in time of drought. On December 26, the march was resumed at noon. Traveling six leagues, they arrived at a stream formed by three springs, that flowed from the foot of the hills. This they called San Pedro Regalado because a servant by that name fell into it. The next day dawned and it was raining, but Don Pedro ordered his men forward. They marched four leagues before they were forced to halt. A stiff, wet, cold norther began to blow and was soon converted into a snowstorm. On December 28, the state of the weather became more favorable and the little band resumed its journey after hearing Mass. Seven leagues beyond, they came upon the Sanas (Llano) River. This was explored and found to be two and one-half varas wide and as many deep. Up to this time their line of march had been almost due north, with a slight inclination to the west. When the journey was continued on December 29, 1754, after Mass was heard, the direction was changed to northwest. After going some eight leagues, they came to a small stream which they called Esperanza (Hope), where they camped. The next morning dawned with the air snappy and cold. With difficulty the small party went on for twelve leagues to the north-northwest, past a narrow defile between two towering hills, which they called Puerto de Baluartes, and came upon the San Saba River, near present l'\'Ienard, where they camped. The stream flowed through the rolling hills and did not appear
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