Missionary Activity Among the Apaches, 1743-1758
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la Santisima Trinidad was sent to Mexico City on January 12th with special letters and reports, thus leaving again only three missionaries at San Saba. In the Presidio de San Luis de las Amarillas life was just as monotonous. Of the three or four hundred persons living there, two hundred thirty-seven were women and children. The monotony of their humdrum life was punctuated only by the changing of the guards, the watching of the cattle and horses, occasional tramps in search of fire- wood or game, and beholding the approach of a supply train from San Antonio. 96 Arrival of tl1e Coma11c/1es. With the coming of spring the rumors of the intended attack by the northern tribes grew more persistent. On March 2, I 758, the soldiers of the presidio became aware of the proximity of the enemy, when a group of _hostile Indians raided the horse herd and stole sixty-two animals. Fifteen men were rushed to recover them, but after a brief pursuit, they turned back empty-handed for fear of these thieves in ambush. To justify their half-hearted pursuit they now spread the wildest rumors as to the number and ferocity of the enemy. There is no doubt, however, that the northern tribes were at this time sweeping over a broad expanse, all attempting to converge upon San Saba. On March 9, four prospectors were attacked by Indians on the Pedernales and forced to flee for refuge to the presidio. When Colonel Parrilla learned from the wounded refugees the proximity of the enemy, he tried in vain to persuade Fray Alonso and his companions to abandon the untenanted mission and to take refuge in the presidio until the danger was over. The padres stoically refused to forsake their post. The commander could spare only five soldiers to guard them in their exposed position across the river, almost three miles from the presidio. There were seventeen persons in all at San Saba, including the three missionaries, the five soldiers, and the Tlascalteca Indians. They had two cannons at the mission with a supply of ammunition and a fairly well-built stockade, but it was evident they could not hold out long against an overwhelming attack by the enemy. Colonel Parrilla was uneasy himself. The garrison of the presidio was weakened by four soldiers, who had been sent to guard the mission on the Guadalupe, by seven who were tending the cattle herd on a ranch five 96 Parrilla to the Viceroy, February 13, 1758; San Francisco el Grande Arcliive, Vol. 24, pp. 126-127. Arricivita, Cro11ica, 375-377; Dunn, o;. cit., 403; Castaneda, Morft's History of Texas. pp. 377-379.
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