169
Exploration of tlie Big Bend and Pecos Country
now that they should return and make a report to the viceroy of their findings and experiences. Back once more at Puaray, the return march to Santa Barbara was discussed. Fray Agustin Rodriguez and Father Fray Francisco Lopez declared that they had made up their minds to stay among the Indians to preach the Gospel and instruct the natives. In vain did Chamuscado remonstrate, pointing out the great danger they were in, among a hostile people who· had already killed one of the mis- sionaries. The saintly sons of St. Francis refused to listen to entreaties and threats alike, declaring they would excommunicate any one who resorted to violence in an effort to force them to abandon their resolve. As a safeguard to himself and his companions, Chamuscado ordered that an affidavit be drawn up in due form to show that the Padres had chosen to remain of their own free will and against the better judgment of the majority of the party. He then explained to the Indians he would return soon; that he was going to bring back more Christians; that in his absence they should take good care of the missionaries. The soldiers gave the Padres most of their supplies and left with them several of the Indian servants that had accompanied them from Santa Barbara.:s On January 31, 1582, the little band took leave of the two missionaries, whom they were never to see again and of whose death they were not to hear until three months after their arrival in Mexico. Returning by the same route, they soon reached the El Paso region. Chamuscado, who was almost seventy years old, and in poor health, became seriously ill. With much difficulty he was bled because the surgical instruments had been left with the missionaries, but to no avail. As he grew weaker, he was placed on a stretcher made of horsehide and some poles, which was carried between two horses. The soldiers tried to get him to Santa Barbara, where he might receive the Last Sacrament. But in spite of all efforts, he died about forty leagues from Santa Barbara, where his companions buried him and marked his tomb with a rough cross so that his body might be removed when opportunity offered. Gallegos now took command, and oil April 15, I 582, after being away almost eleven months, the daring little group arrived in Santa Barbara, where they were joyfully received. 26 They had visited the Jumanos at the juncture of the Conchos and the Rio Grande, they had explored all the pueblos of New Mexico along the Rio Grande as far north as Taos, they had penetrated the 2 SMecham, "Supplementary Documents," Quarterly, XXIX, 224-231; Obregon's Hi.story, 313; "Gallegos' Relation," in o;. cit., II, 351-358. 16 Mecham, "Second Expedition," in o;. cit., I, 290.
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