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01'r Catholic Heritage in Texas
Fray Afam,el visits Texas in search of /11dians. But the labors of the faithful Brother were not over. Hardly had he returned, when Father Larios asked him if he would go in search of the Guyquechales, who were said to be encamped beyond the Rio Grande. "I told him," says Fray Manuel, "that if he commanded me under obedience, I would in no manner refuse. So in obedience he imposed this upon me and the next day, after receiving the Sacraments, I left without fear of the dangers, of which I shall speak later." 24 On March 29, it seems the obedient Brother left Santa Rosa accompanied by five Indians. Taking a northeastern course and traveling at a good rate, he reached the Rio Grande four and a half days later, at a distance of about forty leagues. Just where he crossed the river cannot be definitely established, but he described the spot as "where the river forms two forks." Judging from the direction and the distance traveled, he must have crossed some- where between present Eagle Pass and Del Rio. Continuing on his way, in the same general direction for three days, during which he averaged about six leagues a day, he came to "a mountain range which the Indians called Dacate." Father Steck has correctly concluded that the mountain ranges were probably the hills along Devil 's River in Valverde County. 2 s A friendly Indian now warned them against continuing their journey, declaring that a short distance beyond was a group of hostile Indians who knew of their coming and were waiting for them. Undismayed, Brother Manuel and his companions pursued their route to an arroyo, probably Devil's River. Here they remained quietly for three days, while a scout was sent to find out where the enemy was. The scout returned and reported that the Boboles were encamped about six leagues up the arroyo. Fray Manuel was happy to learn that his friends, the Boboles, were so near. At midnight he started for their camp and arrived by nine o'clock the next morning. He was well received by the friendly Indians, who informed him that the Guyquechales, for whom he was hunting, were about eight leagues beyond. The good friar immediately dispatched a messenger to notify the chief of his arrival , but before night, the captain of the Guyquechales appeared in person, accompanied by ninety-eight warriors. "All came prepared for battle," says Fray Manuel, "well provided with arrows, with only a breechcloth of shammy skin over their privy parts and a large one of hide over arms and chest Ufbid., San Francisco El Cra11de Archive, I, nS-125. The translation quoted here ls that of Father Steck, op. cit ., 1 3. 2ssteck, op. cit., I 4.
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