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Early Exploration of Big Bend Country, 1683-1731
country along the river was very fertile and there were many pecan and mulberry trees. He also noted some wild plum trees. The woods were filled with game, he declared, and there ,vere many wild chickens, deer, and other animals. The buffalo were so numerous that it was impossible to count them. He explained that the reason for their long stay at this place was that he was waiting for the envoys of forty-eight nations. Chiefs and warriors of sixteen different tribes had joined his expedition and were in camp with him from March 16 to May 1, when he decided to return to New Mexico. During this time Mass was celebrated regularly every day. A rough two-story structure was built for this purpose. In the lower story or ground floor services were held all during Holy Week. Many Christian Indians attended these special ceremonies with great devotion and many of those who had joined the expedition asked to be baptized. The upper story was used by the Padres and a lookout was kept there to prevent a surprise by the enemy. While in camp one of the soldiers, a certain Diego Varela, was bitten by a poisonous water snake on the little finger. By the time four creeds could be said, the poison coursed through his body so quickly that he suffered intense pain and he began to vomit. Everybody thought that he would die. But the Reverend Father C11stodio had with him a herb which was an antitoxin for the poison. He washed the wound ,vith the essence and gave him a potion of the same medicine to drink; he got well in a few days. The buffaloes were so plentiful that the soldiers and their Indian allies killed four thousand and thirty during the time that they were in camp. This number did not include those left in the field wounded, or the young calves that were brought in for daily consumption. The skins of these animals were cured and packed. 22 The friendly nations that were in camp were the Jumanos, the Ho- rrorosos ( the horrible ones), the Beitonijures, the Acubares, the Cujados, the Toremas, the Jediondos, (the ill-smelling ones), the Caulas, the Hineis, the Ytomes, and the Hanacines. Those for whom they were waiting were the Tejas, who had sent word that they would come, the Huicasiques, the Aielis, the Aguilas (the Eagles), the Flechas Chiquitas (Small arrows), the Echancotes, the Anchimos, the Bobidas, the Injames, the Dijus, the Colabrotes (Budding Tails), the Unofitas, the Juamas, the Yoyehis, the Acanis, the Humez, the Bibis, the Conchumuchas (Many shells), the
22 /bid. Entry for May I, 1684.
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