Permanent Occupation of Texas, 1715-1716
43
Next morning, before setting out, a soldier named Lorenzo Mercado asked Ramon for the hand in marriage of the mestiza woman and he consented, provided the proper practices were observed before the mar- riage ceremony. Finally the party set out on March IO, and traveling north for a distance of seventeen leagues, arrived at Corral de Piedras on the 14th, where it halted to wait for the horses and stock serit by way of La Cuiebra. At the hacienda of Corral de Piedras, Captain Joseph de Villarreal, Alcalde Mayor of the district, had built a chapel to St. James. Here the missionaries heard the confessions of all the people during the day. For seven days they waited, until the 21st, when the horses and stock arrived at last. It was here that Ramon learned that four of the soldiers detailed to escort the horses had run away. He immediately reported the matter to the viceroy, pointing out that those men had stolen some of the horses and the one year's salary paid to them in advance. He asked the viceroy to issue orders for their arrest, and suggested that if they were captured they should be made to serve in Texas. 19 Also hostile Indians were reported nearby for the first time, but only the tracks of two Tobosos on foot were discovered in the vicinity. On March 22, the expedition again resumed its march and traveled fourteen leagues that day on account of the barrenness of the country, before they came to a suitable place to camp. While giving the stock a rest, Father Margi! joined the expedition on March 24, bringing some horses and cattle which he was providing for the missions. Continuing in a northerly direction the party arrived at the ranch called Juan Mendez, where they waited six days until March 30, to gather necessary provisions and to give time to Father Margil to bring in some goats which he was taking to the Tejas. The expedition next halted at El Carrizal on April 1. Here Ramon learned by a messenger sent from the Mission of La Punta that certain Indians had stolen all the horses belonging to that establishment. He became, therefore, alarmed at these depredations so near at hand because some of the stock of the expedition had temporarily been left behind and were in grave danger of loss from thieves. With the help of two cavalry- men he hastily set out in search of the horses, located them, and found them safe in their corrals. The next day he proceeded to La Punta where 19 Ram6n to the Viceroy, March 17, 1716. Provincias I 11/ernas, Vol. 18 I, pp. 50-51. The names of the runaway soldiers were Diego Alejandro l\forales, age 25 years; Jacinto de los Santos, age 30; Joseph Cadena and Joseph Garcia.
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