Our Catlzolic Heritage in Texas
to the east, and which appear to have been two small tributaries of Wolf Creek. 69 This deduction is strongly borne out by the description of the country through which they were traveling. "\Ne continued in this direc- tion for some time," says the narrative, "along two small streams which flowed towards the east, like the one previously mentioned. We wandered from the direction we had been following, though it did not frighten us much, as the land was so level that daily the men became lost in it by separating themselves for but a short distance from us, as a result of which it was necessary to reconnoiter the country from some of the stopping places." They were in the great plains, meandering aimlessly as those before them had done. The rate of travel and the general direction were equally slow and uncertain. Thus after several days they came to a small river, which, because of the many walnuts found along its banks, they called Robredal ( Oak Grove River) . This was, of course, Wolf Creek, whose two upper branches they had been following after they left the Canadian. "Here we found many walnut trees loaded with nuts, which were nearly as good as those of our country, the trees being taller and having more abundant foliage." 70 The next day they went three leagues to another river, which joined the Robredal, according to the map, and which must have been another tributary of Wolf Creek. Continuing still to the east for three more leagues, they arrived in a large ranc/1eria of Indians, whom they called Escanjaques. The natives welcomed them peacefully and invited them to visit their pueblo, which consisted of numerous circular lodges made of branches and covered with grass. These Indians were nomads and planted no corn. They had many buffalo hides, some of which they used for clothing. "We learned while here," declares the narrator, " that this nation was at war with the people settled eight leagues distant towards the interior, and they, thinking that we were going to avenge the murder of the Spaniards who had entered with Umana [Humana], of course took the opportunity to throw the blame upon their enemies." They guided Onate and his men to another river seven leagues to the north, still over level country. Passing through some pleasant plains, after they left the river, they went four leagues and met a group of Indians on some hills, who were hostile at first , but, when assured of the peaceful character of the expedition, welcomed the Spaniards. They camped on the banks of a large river which they called San Francisco. 69See Donoghue, "Coronado, Onate, and Quivira," in Mid-America, Vol. I 8 (new series, Vol. 7, April, 1936, No. 2 , pp. 88-95) . 70 Bolton, op. cit., 2 56.
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