167
Conmmnications Between Santa Fe and San Antonio
and halted at a ranch owned by an Englishman. This was probably in the vicinity of modern Logansport, or perhaps Mansfield, Louisiana. "We could not understand his conversation, nor could he understand ours, but he treated us with generous hospitality," wrote Fragoso in his diary. 25 The next day Vial and his companion arrived in Natchitoches. Description of Natchitoches by Vial. The fort and town were located in a pleasant but not too extensive valley, and formed an imposing settle- ment with a population estimated by Fragoso and Vial to be three thou- sand souls. The settlers were mostly French, although there was a goodly intermixture of English. There were many negroes, the majority of whom were slaves; a few were free and owned property. The houses, built of timber, were large and revealed good taste. They flanked both banks of the river which flowed through the town. On its broad and deep waters were many canoes and boats of different kinds used by the inhabitants in going to New Orleans and in trading with the settlers and the natives up and down the river. The commander of the fort was Louis Blanc, to whom Vial and Fragoso delivered their dispatches and the report of the trip from Santa Fe. He welcomed them with characteristic French hospitality, gave them lodgings, and looked after all their wants during the next ten days. 26 Ro11te from Natclzitoc/1es to San Antonio. On August 30 Vial and his companions bade farewell to the commander of Natchitoches and set out westward for the Province of Texas. After going a short distance, they inclined a quarter south and continuing in this direction through woods and rolling country, crossed the Sabine on September 1, probably near present Isla, not far from Milam, and camped that night at a place called Patron which, according to the diarist, was a well-known landmark. They had travelled approximately fifty miles from Natchitoches. If they passed by the old site of Los Adaes no mention of the fact was made. After crossing the Sabine, they followed an almost due west course, passing on September 2 a ranch called Lobanillo, where they found several Spaniards from Nacogdoches who had settled there. This was the site of Gil Ibarbo's ranch. They crossed a stream called Rio de los Ais, evidently Ayish Bayou, and camped on another ranch called Atoyaque. probably in modern Attoyac. The route followed must have taken them by San Augustine. On September 3 they passed by Atascosa ranch,
25/ bid., entry for August 1 9. 26 Fragoso, Derretero, diario y calculacion . • . , entry for August :ao-30, 1788.
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