Ottr Catlzolic H critagc i1t T cxas
thus through a territory where there were many rabbits and deer. The Indians had a peculiar way of hunting hares. They surrounded the animal and threw clubs at it with great precision until it was captured or killed. Beyond the land of the hares they crossed a great river coming from the north, which seems to have been the Pecos, for there is little doubt they were now in its vicinity and came upon some wide plains which extended for as many as thirty leagues. At the edge of the plains, the party was approached by "many persons coming a long distance to receive us, who met us on the road over which we were to travel, and welcomed us," says the narrator. These people now acted as guides for a distance of over fifty leagues "of desert, over rough mountains, which being dry were without game, and in consequence we suffered much from hunger." These were evidently the Davis Mountains. "At the termination we forded a very large river, the water coming up to our breasts." 90 They were now conducted to certain plains at the base of the mountains. Here they met other Indians who, like the rest, offered them an abundance of gifts. "We told these people," states Cabeza de Vaca, "that we desired to go where the sun sets; and they said inhabitants in that direction were remote ... We told them to conduct us towards the north; and they answered as before, that except far off there were no people in that direction, and nothing to eat, nor could water be found ." The Spaniards then commanded them to lead them in the direction first indicated but they refused. Cabeza de Vaca feigned anger and left the village and went to the woods. It happened that at this time several natives took sick and died. The Indians believed the anger of the Spaniards responsible and did everything they could to conciliate them by offering to lead them in the direction they wished to go "though they [ the Indians] knew they should die on the way." It seems that most of the Indians who lived beyond had gone to the plains to hunt the buffalo. 91 Cabeza de Vaca reaches Presidio. After staying fifteen days with these Indians, the Christians set out again accompanied by them. They traveled for two days and then halted, after they sent two women, one of whom was a captive, to lead Castillo and Estevanico to a pueblo said to be beyond. "Here Castillo and Estevanico arrived, and, after talking with
90 Hodge, 98-99, also note I ; 99-1 oo. 91 /bid., 100-101.
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