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Om· Catlzolic Heritage in Texas
to be very wide. Measured at three different points it was found to be nine, eight, and eight varas respectively, with a depth of half a vara. During the next two days, a careful exploration of the river was made. First Don Pedro, Fray Lopez, and ten soldiers went downstream, fre- quently crossing to explore both banks, for a distance of ten leagues. Heavy woods of walnut, elm, cottonwood, and oaks were noted and several fields suited for cultivation were examined. Three different irriga- tion ditches could be constructed, capable of watering two leagues of land each. In spite of a heavy frost, the same party of explorers con- tinued their reconnaissance on January I, r 7 55, going upstream for nine leagues. Four springs that flowed into the river were noted. The country seemed to offer all the facilities necessary for the establishment of a suc- cessful settlement and several missions. One field, about six leagues long and fairly level, was observed near the river, which could be irrigated. Don Pedro had established his camp on the San Saba River, only half a league from where Galvan had placed the cross to mark the spot he thought was best suited for the proposed missions. 50 He named the site, Paso de la Santa Cruz (Holy Cross Ford). The distance from San Antonio he estimated to be seventy-two leagues, two more than Galvan. On January 2, 1755, having completed his exploration, he started back to San Antonio, going south. That day he traveled twelve leagues to Chanas or Sanas (Llano) River in spite of the rough road and the intensely cold weather. Two mules and several horses were left tired out on the road. On the way, a hill with indications of rich silver ore was passed. The following day he crossed the river and continuing south went nine leagues to a spring whose waters flowed down between two flat hills. One of these seemed to be red Almagre (Hematite). Continuing south for seven leagues on January 4, he reached the headwaters of the Pedernales. From the Pedernales he kept still t9 the south on January 5. After going ten leagues, he came upon a rancheria of Apaches on a creek that ran through a deep gulch to the west. The chief of the Apaches was called Chiquito. There were about four hundred and sixty-seven persons in the camp, who were on their way to the San Saba. When told that the purpose of the Spanish exploration was to find a site for missions for them, the Indians were overjoyed and promised to enter the mission when founded. :robacco, biscuits, sugar, and pinole (parched ground corn) were dis- tributed. From here the Spanish party turned east and going twelve
sosee pages 360-362.
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