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Our Catholic Heritage in Texas
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continued on his way [from Cuba] with the ships and men under his orders, who numbered approximately six hundred, and anchored with the entire fleet in the Rio de las Palmas, thirty or forty leagues from this port [Santiestevan on the Panuco], where he could have established a settlement. He was even urged to do so by several persons [ of the party], but he did not want to. He declared it was his intention to march overland to this place [Santiestevan] with his men, saying that he was coming to his own land (casa). He said that if there was a town of Christians on this river [the Panuco] that it had been established by him and in his name, that he would not go to any other place than the Pan'4co." 60 But this statement must not be taken literally, coming as it did, from men who had become dissatisfied with their leader. The facts seem to be that he ordered four hundred of his men and all the horses to be landed. He then gave instructions for the vessels to continue along the coast with the rest of the followers, under the command of Juan de Grijalva, while he himself proceeded overland to the Panuco River. 61 Garay and his men had a difficult march. For three days they picked their way across marshes where there was not a living soul. They came upon a large river, which they called Montalto, because it flowed down from the mountains, and finding it too deep to ford, they had to swim to the opposite bank and to transport the baggage and supplies on rafts. Fortunately they found firm ground and large fields of corn and other supplies beyond the river. But the Indians were gone from their pueblos, as his men did not meet any of them. From here, Garay and his soldiers were obliged to march around a very large lake, beyond which he captured a few Indians from the Province of Chila. These he dispatched to the next village with a message to gather supplies for him. The natives received him kindly and furnished the men corn, fruit, and water fowls _killed in the lake. The soldiers wished to pillage the land after the many hardships they had suffered, but Garay, in spite of threats of mutiny, prevented them from 'carrying out these ill-advised designs. The march was resumed after a few days' rest, and they continued until they came to another river, where eight horses were drowned in crossing. Beyond this stream they attempted to march through several marshes, in which they were almost bogged before they again reached firm ground. Had the Indians attacked them while in this plight, not a man would have been saved. During the burdensome journey they were greatly bothered
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60 Pachcco y Cardenas, Documentos, XXVI, 103. 61 Herrera, a,. cit., 1 58.
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