l
Our Cat/10/ic H critage in T cxas
procession and marched out of the church. The officials took a last fare- well of Fathers Juan Larios, Francisco Penasco de Lozano, and Brother Manuel de la Cruz and departed, while the rest of the community accom- panied them and the twenty Indians to the outskirts of the town of Analco. From here, the dauntless conquerors of souls went fearlessly on, with no other arms than their crucifixes and their beads, walking with firm step and seraphic smiles upon their faces, as they took up the road to the unexplored north. 15 The Padres, accompanied by the twenty Indians, made their way first to Zacatecas, where they presented their credentials to the C orregidor of that city and obtained permission to continue on their journey to Saltillo, where they arrived safely on December 28, 1673, just one month after they left Analco. Here they presented their appointments and the orders of the Royal Audiencia to Captain Francisco Barbarigo, who had under his protection the Indian town of San Esteban de la Nueva Tlaxcala, on the outskirts of the Villa de Saltillo. After reading the orders, he officially declared he was ready to give the missionaries the prompt assistance they needed and to supply the Indians and their attendants with the provisions required for their trip beyond. 16 While in Saltillo, Father Larios and his companions were informed that in their absence the various tribes that lived in the lands to the north had again rebelled and were committing numerous depredations. The Alcalde 111 ayor and the members of their own Order advised the missionaries that it was not safe for them to proceed at this time and that it would be better for them to wait in Saltillo for a while. But with glowing zeal and characteristic faith, Father Larios and his com- panions replied to all objections that God would protect them, since their purpose was to save souls. Unmoved by the alarming reports, they announced their intention of continuing on their journey without delay and were soon on their way. 17 After traveling sixty leagues in a general northern direction they came to a ranchena, where five hundred and forty-three Indians gladly 1 STestimonio de Haver salido Para la Nueva Conversion de los Indios Barbaros Chichimecos de la Prova de quahuila ... San Francisco El Grande Arcl1ives, I, 27-32. The date of the departure is given as November 18, 167 3, by Steck, but this is evidently a misprint, as the testimony of their departure clearly states it was on November 28, being careful to give even the hour. Steck, op. cit., 9. 16 Portillo, Ap,mtes, 142-143. !7Jnvestigacion sobre la ereccion de la Mission de Santiago por el P. Fr. Damian Massanet, aiio de 1 690, MS. Guadalajara A rcl1ive. (Copy in possession of the writer.)
Powered by FlippingBook