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long before they returned with all their people to live as friends with the Spaniards. 38 Although it seemed as if the long desired peace were about to be con- cluded, there was evidence that the negotiations were not entered into with good faith. In a declaration made by an Indian named Geronimo, who had escaped from the Apaches while in the neighborhood of San Juan Bautista on the Rio Grande, he said that the defeat they had suf- fered had made them very angry; that after the withdrawal of Flores, they had assembled in a council of war and planned to attack San Antonio; that it was at this time that the Indian woman had arrived; and that in view of her message of friendship, they had decided to post- pone the attack. With characteristic cunningness, the head chief had explained to the Indians, that they should send a few of their number to secure their relatives, and that when these had been released, they would attack and destroy San Antonio. This story was corroborated by a Spaniard named Juan Santiago de la Cruz, who had been captured by the Apaches and forced to live among them for six years, until his recent escape. He said that these Indians were always ready for war against the Spaniards; that the defeat inflicted by Flores had made them long for revenge; that the letter sent offering them peace was -read to the chiefs by two missionaries who were captives in another rancl,ena; and that the motive of the reply sent by the Apaches was cleverly schemed to see if they could obtain the immediate release of the prisoners in San Antonio before an attack would be made. 39 Such then were the true inten- tions of the Apaches, according to the witnesses examined. Captain Flores, although anxious for peace, doubted the sincerity of their efforts for friendship with the Spaniards, but Father Gonzalez had taken a great liking to these Indians and had conceived sanguine hopes of being the instrument through which a treaty with them could be soon obtained. When the natives returned after a delay of almost two months, they were naturally greeted by the captain and the missionary with decidedly different feelings. Late in December, about thirty of them arrived in San Antonio and were welcomed with much enthusiasm by Father Gonzalez, who took them to his mission. After feasting them as was customary, the Padre promised them that he would see that the prisoners would be released to them, if the five chiefs agreed to be friends of the Spaniards.
38 /bid. 39 Declaracion de Juan de Santiago de la Cruz, July
12, 17:14. A. G. N., Pro-
vi11cias /nternas, Vol. 32, Part 2.
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