Our C atl1olic Heritage i11, Texas
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and there is no fruit in the world richer than that found here, nor more wonderful grapes of various kinds and colors in such quantities. The bunches are as large as twenty-eight and thirty-pound shot. There are also such extensive fields of such excellent flax that all the fleets of Europe could be supplied with cordage. From the head tribe, this nation occupies an area of forty leagues, all well populated." 72 The Indians earnestly entreated St. Denis to ask the Spanish missionaries to return and establish missions among them. They were particularly anxious for the return of Father Hidalgo, who had lived among them and knew their language, and Captain Urrutia, who had also dwelt with them for ten years. Bernardino and twenty-five of his warriors finally decided to accompany St. Denis to the Spanish settlements. The party, consisting now of four Frenchmen and twenty-five Tejas braves under the leadership of their chief Bernardino, set out for the Presidio of San Juan Bautista on the Rio Grande early in the fall of 1714. They encountered no difficulty in crossing the numerous streams and traveled without mishap until they reached the San Marcos [ Colo- rado], where they were attacked by a band of about two hundred Indians from the coast, "the mortal enemies of the Tejas," declares St. Denis. The fight lasted from eight in the morning until two in the afternoon, and when the battle was over it was found that twelve men and a woman of the enemy had been killed, while of the Tejas only two were wounded. The enemy was pursued to their ra11d1erias and there forced to conclude a peace. Not deeming it necessary to continue the journey, twenty-one warriors decided to return home, assuring St. Denis he had nothing to fear from this point to the Spanish settlement. At least, so affirmed St. Denis, although it may well be that he thought it best to arrive at the presidio of Diego Ramon with as small a retinue as possible. At any rate, St. Denis, three Frenchmen, namely, Medar Jalot, Largen, and Penicault, Bernardino, two Tejas captains and one other Indian continued on their way and arrived.at San Juan Bautista, located two leagues beyond the Rio Grande, late in the fall of 1714. 73 In passing by the site of the San and only the fourth actually reached Mexico City. There he was baptized and given the name Bernardino. It is likely that it was this nephew of the old chief of 1690, who was met by St. Denis. Dunn, Spanish and French Rivalry, 124. 12Declaracion, San Francisco el Grande Archive, VIII, 29. 1JClark has nothing to say as to the actual number of men who accompanied St. Denis but vaguely hints they were a goodly number. Morfi is very definite on this point and consistent. He says St. Denis started with twenty-two, left ten at the Natchitoches to guard the storehouses, arrived at the Asinai with twelve, lost five
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