Tlee Organi::;ation of Mission Life, q22-1728
189
erate enemies, the Comanches, and forced to make their home succes- sively on the San Saba, Chanas, Pedernales, Medina, Rio Grande, and Pecos Rivers. In the latter part of the century, some of them moved even farther south and west along the Rio Grande. The Texas or East- ern Apaches were not as numerous as originally thought, but being divided into several bands or tribes under separate chiefs, they moved with astounding rapidity from place to place, committing depredations over a vast area. 31 Through the capture of a number of prisoners in 1723, the Spaniards learned for the first time the form of their tribal organization. Accord- ing to the statements made by an Indian woman at this time, they were divided into five nations, each one governed by a separate chief. All of these chiefs, however, recognized the authority of a head chief or capitan grandc who lived far to the north. When a raid was planned, the five chiefs came together and each one furnished about twelve men, who went out to forage and steal. Upon their return the booty was equally divided and all returned to their respective homes. No chief undertook a raiding expedition, declared the squaw, without first obtaining the con- sent of the head chief. 32 The warriors of the tribes were ordinarily well supplied with a number of additional horses as remounts so that they could make their raids more rapidly and travel over long distances to evade their pursuers. They did not ride bareback but had curiously fash- ioned saddles made of wood, equipped with iron stirrups and painted in a variety of colors. Like the Arabs, they liked fast horses which were bridled to keep them under control. They protected their steeds from the arrows of the enemy by coverings of buffalo skin. The men also had large shields made of tough hide adorned with pigments of red, white, green or blue. In the early part of the century the Apaches had not yet learned the use of firearms. Their weapons consisted of the bow and arrow and a short or light lance which they threw with great skill while attacking the enemy. Unlike other Indians, they generally tipped their arrows with iron instead of flint. They differed from most of the Texas Indians in their clothing, which was made of buckskin. 33 When Aguayo set out on his. expedition, he had been carefully 31Dunn, op. cit., Quarterly, XIV, 202-203. 32 Flores to Aguayo, October 21, 1723. A. G. N., Provincias lnlernas, Vol. 181. 33 Testimony of Flores, A. G. N., Provincias lnternas, Vol. 181: Declarations c,f the soldiers, January 10, 1724; Archh10 Sa11 Francisco el Grande, Vol. 10 ; Flores to Aguayo, October 21 and November 2, 1723, Provincias lnternas, Vol. i81.
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