Our Catlzolic Heritage in Texas
After the arrival of the expedition, the Spaniards had had considerable difficulty in preventing the Indians from committing petty thievery. The horses and mules began to disappear mysteriously in spite of all vigilance. The weather added its share to the discomfort of the Spaniards and the prolonged drought caused many of the jaded horses to die. Teran, who had become disillusioned shortly after the start of the expe- dition, now became convinced of the uselessness of attempting to do anything with the reduced force at his command. Ever since Martinez failed to make connections with the maritime expedition, he had become apprehensive that his supplies would run out. The attitude of the Indians, which was becoming openly hostile, the loss of horses through theft by the Indians and the excessive heat and drought, and the rapidly dimin- ishing stock of provisions filled him with forebodings of evil. After resting among the Tejas for twenty days, he decided to try to go to the coast in the hope of finding the reenforcements and supplies from Veracruz there. On August 24, taking the greater >art of his men, he started for the coast determined to proceed oack to Mexico if he failed to find the vessels. Fortunately, when he arrived in the site of the old French fort, he found Captain Salinas Varona there, who informed him that the two vessels were in the bay. Salinas Varona, however, brought new instructions from the viceroy which made it imperative for Teran to carry out the exploration of the country before he returned to Mexico. There was nothing to do, there- fore, but to turn back to the country of the Tejas, which he had hoped never to see again. Captain Barroto sailed for Veracruz to secure addi- tional supplies, while Teran returned to the missions, in company with Captain Salinas Varona and his companions. The prolonged drought had been broken and now torrential rains fell which filled the rivers and overflowed the country. With great difficulty, the men made their way back to East Texas, where they arrived late in September. Tlze exploration of tlte country. Conditions had grown worse since the departure of Teran. The insolence of the Indians had become unbearable. The attacks upon the cattle and horses had become more frequent and open. The chief, who had welcomed the first Spaniards with so much kindness and friendliness, had by now tired of his associates. He had gone on the warpath to chastise a hostile tribe. Before leaving, he had warned his friends, the missionaries, that
Powered by FlippingBook