Ottr Catholic Heritage in Texas
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A short distance beyond the road a ranclzeria was now discovered and here Aguayo found all the Indians from La Rancheria Grande, together with a number of Bidais and Deodosos. These and other Indians had come perhaps to the convocation called by St. Denis. This explains why Aguayo did not see any natives before. The bugles sounded and the drums rolled as the royal standards were unfurled and the whole expetdition marched into the Indian camp to be welcomed, much to their surprise, by the natives who formed in perfect order and came out to meet them, bearing a large, white taffeta flag with blue ribbons which had been given them by the French. The Spaniards further noticed that they were all well supplied with rifles and ammunition. These were mute but eloquent evidences of the work of the French among them. Aguayo pitched camp here and asked all the Indian chiefs to come to see him next day. The following morning, after declaring that the Spaniards had been sent by the king to protect them against their enemies and to instruct them in the Christian faith, he distributed gifts and promised the chiefs of Rancheria Grande that he would found a mission for their people near the San Antonio River if they would return to their country. 57 The march was then continued to the Trinity. Extreme difficulty was experienced in crossing this stream. For sixteen days the expedition struggled to gain the opposite bank. On July 25, 1721, the last man and piece of baggage were finally taken safely across the river. A short distance beyond, the expedition was met by the chief of the Aynay tribe, who was recognized as the head of the Asinai Confederacy. He came, accompanied by eight chiefs and four women, one of whom was the famous Angelina, 58 to welcome the Spaniards. With tears in his eyes he assured them he had become so impatient at their long delay that he had decided to go in search of them. Aguayo was touched by the sin- cerity of the faithful chief. He welcomed him in the name of the king and appointed him Captain and Governor of the Tejas, presenting him with a silver-headed cane as the insignia of his office. There is no doubt that the Tejas Indians were truly glad to see the Spaniards again. They brought flowers, corn, beans, and watermelons in token of their joy. Aguayo ordered that presents be distributed and they were all given clothes and trinkets of various kinds. As usual, the Marquis assured them P. Forrestal in Prelimi11ar,y Studies of t/,e Texas Catholic Historical Society, II, No. 7. 57Pena, Derrotero, I 3. 51 See p. s.8.
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