Orer Catl1olic H eritagc in Texas
from the Governor of Louisiana. The courier came into camp that same day, at sunset. After making known his mission to Aguayo, he was assured that St. Denis could come at his pleasure with perfect safety. 63 Leisurely, the expedition continued its march. They were now approach- ing the heart of the Asinai Confederacy. Passing by the first site of the Presidio de los Tejas, where Ramon established his camp temporarily in 1716, before crossing the Neches River, they halted on its right bank, a short distance from the old fort. 64 Here a large delegation, about one hundred Indians of the Nacono nation, came to pay their respects to Aguayo on July 30. Their chief, now a very old man, had blinded himself in order to become their high priest, this being an old and well established tradition in the tribe. 65 With pathetic gestures, he tried to express his great joy and that of his companions at finding the Spaniards among them once more. Aguayo was as profuse in his expressions of apprecia- tion and his promises of protection. He enjoined the Indians to con- gregate in a pueblo and live together in order that the missionaries might better be able to take care of them. All this he made clear through Nicolas de los Santos, a former soldier of Domingo Ramon, who had learned the language of the natives and was very skillful in its use. 66 The fol- lowing day gifts were exchanged, the Indians bringing tamales, fresh ears of corn, watermelons, and other presents and receiving knives, scissors, combs, beads, and other trinkets which they valued highly. lntervie--.v of Ag1'ayo and St. Denis. While Aguayo was still encamped on the west bank of the Neches, St. Denis arrived and presented himself to the Marquis, after swimming his horse across the river. The usual courtesies having been exchanged, the French commander of Natchitoches, who seems to have been anxious to talk privately to his friends, the mis- sionaries, begged Aguayo to excuse him and permit him to retire for the night to rest from the fatigue of his journey. "This seems to suggest 63 Peiia, Derrotero, I 5. 64Ram6n established a temporary presidio on a small plain, a few miles west of the Neches and from there went with the missionaries to select suitable sites for the missions. It was not until three months later that he moved the presidio to the vicinity of Concepcion Mission. The site has been identified with that of present day Douglas, on Thomas Creek. Bolton, "The Native Tribes," Quarterl,y, XI, 260; Buckley, "The Aguayo Expedition," Quarterl,y, XV, 47. 6SJn speaking of this chief, Peiia says: "After having led them for many years, he put his eyes out, as is customary among these Indians, in order to be their high priest." Derrotero, f. IS vuelta. 66/ bid., f . I 5 vuelta.
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