Our Catholic Heritage in Tezas
settlements molested except Mission Concepcion, which was under the charge of Father Santa Ana." 26 The friendly policy of this missionary was in large part responsible for the saving of San Antonio a short time later. "On June 30, 1745, San Antonio was given another fright by the attack made upon it by about three hundred fifty Indians, including women and children, of the Ypandi and Natage tribes. They planned to burn the presidio, and made the attack during the night when all the occupants of the presidio were asleep. Part of the Indians stayed in ambush just without the settlement, and the others gathered before the presidio. By good luck they were discovered by a boy, who gave the alarm, thus rousing some citizens, who held the savages back for a time. But, dividing into bands, they attacked the presidio by another street, and would doubtless have overpowered the soldiers, had not help arrived at an opportune time from Mission Valero. One hundred mission Indians came to the rescue and so stoutly did they attack the invaders that they were soon put to flight. The soldiers and Indians now gave chase, but did not proceed further than a place called Buenavista, whence they were ordered back. For some unknown reason the Apaches were not organized with their usual efficiency, for under ordinary circumstances they would have succeeded in their attack. Among the Indians who had set out from the mission was an Apache captive, who at once joined his people. The Ypandi chief, whose daughter was being held as a hostage by Father Santa Ana, inquired anxiously con- cerning the captives, and was told that they were being treated· most kindly, and that the Spaniards wished to be friends of the Apaches. Upon hearing this, the chief repented of his hostility, and ordered his followers to give up the attack. The chief of the Natages opposed this plan with much vehemence, but he was finally persuaded to retire. For two months after this raid, the Apaches did not trouble the settlement, and a:t the end of this time a squaw, bearing a cross, accompanied by a boy, was sent to San Antonio with presents for Captain Urrutia, whom she assured that the Apaches wished peace." 27 San Anto1tio saved by the Indians of Mission Valero. The fate of Fort Saint Louis might have been the fate of San Antonio de Bejar had it not been for the timely aid of the mission Indians of Valero and the friendly policy of Father Fernandez de Santa Ana. The 2'Dunn, 01. cu., Quarterly, XIV, 252. 27Dunn, 01. cit., 252-253.
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