Missionary Activity Among the Apaches, 1743-1758
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far as the eye could see the motley mass of furious warriors extended. All were armed with guns, sabres, or spears. To Fray Molina it seemed that there were at least two thousand natives, half of whom bore anns. Their faces were painted black and crimson. From their heads, tangled with unruly hair, hung the tails of wild animals. It was a sight to strike horror into the heart of the most courageous defenders. The Comanches were in the majority, but there were many Tejas, Tonkawas, Bidais, and Yojuanes. As the padres came into the patio from their cells, many of the Indians, who until then had remained on their horses, dismounted and, removing the last bars from the gate, thronged into the interior. The padres ordered that tobacco and other presents be distributed, and Fray Molina personally offered four handfuls of the fragrant weed to the principal chief, a stolid Comanche dressed in a gaudy French uniform, who remained mounted on his horse. Whatever hope of peace remained in the hearts of the good friars vanished when the haughty chief sullenly took the tobacco with an ironic smile. While some shook hands with the soldiers and gesticulated with appropriate signs of friendship, the main body shamelessly began to pillage the storerooms, the kitchen, and the soldiers' quarters. They next went to the corral and taking the few horses that were there, boldly asked Fray Alonso for more. When they were told there were no more, they inquired if there were any in the presidio. Anxious to impress them, and perhaps to get rid of them, the friars replied the presidio had many horses and was well supplied with everything. The invaders were becoming restless. They had pillaged all they could with impunity. They said they wanted to go to the presidio, but they were afraid the commander would not receive them with kindness. Fray Alonso offered to give them a letter addressed to the captain and assured them that with this token they would be welcomed by him. Hur- riedly he wrote a brief note and handed it to a Tejas chief, who rushed to the corral and seizing Fray Alonso's own horse, came out leading it. The good friar remonstrated with the Indian, whose only answer was to place the muzzle of a gun on the horse's head. The frightened priest waved him on, whereupon the chief vaulted on the back of the steed and, fol- lowed by a number of warriors, set out for the presidio. Up to this time the invaders had freely helped themselves to every- thing, but had not committed any murders at the mission. In an effort to avoid actual bloodshed, the ,padres pretended not to notice the shameless abuses committed, and continued to talk amicably with a few of the Tejas
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