369
E.,-tablislnncnt of 1llissio11s in l:ast Texas, 1689-1693
he did not want to find them among his people on his return. 0 Such a state of affairs had cooled the ardor of the energetic and zealous Padres, some of whom were already beginning to show signs of discouragement. But Teran had by now only one preoccupation, to carry out his instruc- tions with regard to the exploration of the country in order to avoid being censured for failure to do his duty. On November 1, therefore, he began his work by making a careful examination of the river near the missions, the present Neches. The investigation disclosed that it was not navigable. Although it was now late in the season, he decided to start out to explore the country of the Cadodachos to the northeast. Accompanied by Father Massanet and two other missionaries. he set out with a number of the soldiers on November 6. The horses were worn out and so poor that the progress was painfully slow. Soon snow and sleet began to add to their growing difficulties. Horses died in great numbers, the men suffered severely from lack of proper clothing, and the cold grew in intensity. After several days he finally arrived at a stream which he called Rio Grande, identified possibly with Sulphur River. 45 Here he ordered a halt. Taking thirty men, mounted on the best horses that remained, he pushed forward to the north. Finally on November 28, after having traveled fifty-six leagues from the country of the Tejas, the party reached one of the settlements of the Cadodachos, on present Red River. Fearing the presence of Frenchmen. great caution was exercised in approaching the village. But this proved an unnecessary measure, as the Indians turned out to be very friendly and welcomed the Spaniards. For a week they busied themselves in the exploration of the surrounding country and particularly the river, which they sounded. They agreed that this stream was navigable, but since they did not have adequate equipment, they could not follow it to its mouth. The question of carrying out the instructions with regard to the establishment of four missions was then taken up. It soon became obvious to all members of the party that they could not put their plans into execution, because of the lack of supplies. none having been brought for the purpose. The Padt-es were well impressed with the country and with the character and attitude of 44 Declaration of Alonso de Rivera, March 18, 1692, in A. G. I., A udiencia de Mb:ico, 61-6-2r, Testimonio de Ia Informacion ... (Dunn Transcripts, 1691-1693), p. 16. 45 Dunn, Spanish a11d Fre11c/1 Ri;,a/ry, 1 36, note 55.
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