Our Cat/Jolie Heritage in Texas
Christians, we might carry that information and news of it." 87 It should be noted that the implication as to the direction of their travel hence- forth is to be to the north and west rather than south and east. In vain did the natives try to dissuade the Spaniards from their purpose by saying that in that direction there were no people, nor prickly pears, nor food. After resting with them for a day, Cabeza de Vaca and his companions resumed their march to the west, slightly north, from the vicinity of present San Antonio, followed by many Indians and some women who carried water for them. About two leagues beyond, they were met by two scouts whom the Indians had sent to secure information regarding the country ahead. They reported there were no inhabitants nor food for a long distance. The others again entreated the Spaniards to stay, but they refused. The natives returned to their village on the river, while the undaunted travelers continued on their way again. For several days they kept along the edge of the mountains, finding several Indian ranches on the way until they had gone some eighty leagues, or approximately two hundred miles. They had followed the Balcones Escarp- ment from San Antonio to the vicinity of Devil's River where they came to the outskirts of the Chisos Mountains. They seem to have followed closely along the present road from San Antonio to Del Rio. Everywhere they had been received kindly by the natives. That the Indians enjoyed their visit as a relief in their humdrum life is evident. "These people are all very fond of romance," declares Cabeza de Vaca, "and are great liars, particularly so where they have any interest." Speaking of one of the villages visited, he says: "When we came near the houses all the inhabitants ran out with delight and great festivity to receive us. Among other things, two of their physicians gave us two gourds and thenceforth we carried these with us, and added to our authority a token highly revered by Indians." At the end of their eighty- league journey the travelers came to a rancleerta of forty houses where the Indians gave them, among other things, a hawk bell of copper, "thick and large, figured with a face" which the natives appeared to prize highly. When asked whence it came, they replied their neighbors had given it to them, who said it had been brought from a good distance to the north, where there was much copper." 18 Next day they resumed their march and crossed a ridge seven leagues wide where they noticed many rocks with undeniable iron tracings and 87 Hodge, 93; Oviedo, Vol. 3, p. 605; Barcia, I , 30. 88 Hodge, 92-95.
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