Ottr Catlzolic Heritage in Texas
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gone over to the neighboring islands. They decided to give a smoke signal and wait, but no one came. The next day the party went to Paso del Vergantin, probably below Seadrift, where they observed tracks leading to the islands opposite the coast. Unable to cross without canoes, Vazquez and his · companions returned to Mosquito Ranch, probably at or near Mission Bay, since they noted that it belonged to Mission Refugio. The following day they went to a point above the confluence of the Guadalupe and the San Antonio to investigate a smoke signal seen the previous day, and discovered that a group of Jaraname Indians from Mission Espiritu Santo were out on a hunt. Not even a trace of the foreigners was discovered, but the exploring party obtained evidence proving a party of Karankawas guilty of stealing fourteen horses and killing fifteen cows at the presidio on June 3, 1798.:z«J Although the bay explored is referred to as San Bernardo, it is evident that it was San Antonio Bay. The fears of Del Moral were again aroused in September, according to information received from Nava, when Mufioz warned him against the danger of foreign attack. He called upon the friendly Indians in the vicinity and offered them a liberal reward for information concerning any strangers along the entire coast from San Bernardo Bay (San Antonio Bay) to the mouth of the Trinity. At the same time he sent, as instructed, a detachment of seven men to reenforce the garrison at Nacogdoches. The walls of the presidio had been repaired and were in good condition, he declared, and he had an abundant supply of powder, besides five thousand cartridges. 30 On September 15, Del Moral sent a sergeant and nine men to explore Matagorda Bay. Four Indians from Missi<?,n ·Rosario accompanied them as guides. The party was instructed to contact the friendly chiefs and offer them gifts for any information concerning strangers seen in the ranclzenas, or ships along the coast. Four days previously he had dis- patched Chief Zertuche, a Coco from Mission Rosario, to reconnoiter the Colorado River. But this Indian was moody and not entirely dependable. The chief returned on September 27, but did not bother to make a report until he was summoned by the impatient commander. Father Garavito, it 29 Jose Miguel del Moral to Manuel Munoz, June 5, 1798; Diario de Francisco Vazquez, June 3·5, 1798. Bexar Archives. 30 Del Moral to Munoz, September 14, 1798.
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