01'r Catleolic Heritage in Texas
their journey to San Antonio where they arrived on September 25, having sustained the loss of only one man." Indian leostilities at La BaMa. In the fall of 1795, a band of Comanches made a raid upon Espiritu Santo Mission. An investigation into the cause disclosed that the Comanches resented the aid given by the mission Indians to the Mescalero-Lipans. Governor Munoz instructed Captain Cortes at La Bahia to warn Chiefs Canoso, Chiquito, and Moreno of the Karankawas, Cocos, and Orcoquisacs, that they must not harbor or give assistance 'to the Mescaleros in their rancleenas. Should they persist in this practice, they would be deprived of gifts and the friend- ship of the Spaniards. Cortes transmitted the message through Antonio Cadena, Indian interpreter, who advised the chiefs to prove their loyalty to the Spaniards by arresting all Mescalero-Lipans who came to them for help or refuge. The chiefs solemnly agreed to follow the counsel. 33 The visit of rival nations often caused difficulties. On July 12, 1797, a Comanche, Chief Soxas, and a Tawakoni, Chief Quiscat, son of the elder chief of this name, arrived in La Bahia, accompanied by one hundred eighteen warriors and six squaws. The next day Chief Zertuche and ten Indians from Missions Rosario and Refugio were on their way to the presidio when the Comanches and Tawakonis, mistaking them for Lipans dashed out to kill them. The presidio guards rushed to their rescue. After a brief scuffle they succeeded in restoring order and establishing the identity of the newcomers. The party then continued in peace to Mission Espiritu Santo. But the following day a Lipan ·chief named Bautista, who was at the presidio with. a group of followers, started for Espiritu Santo Mission and met four Tawakonis. Forgetful of the fact that both groups were guests of the Spaniards, the Lipans gave a blood-curdling yell and dashed upon their enemies; the Tawakonis fired upon the charging band, and Bautista's horse was killed. The Jaranames in Mission Espiritu Santo, having heard the yell, rushed out and joined the fray. Shots flew thick and fast, but before any one was seriously ·wounded, the garrison had stopped the fight. The Tawakonis, Comanches, Lipans, and mission Indian chiefs were all invited to the presidio, a parley was held, the pipe was smoked, and the 12 Dlary of Jose Manuel Granados, September 15-25, 1795; Cortes to Munoz, August 28, 1795. Bexar Arcnives. 13 Governor Munoz to Pedro Nava, November 8, 1795. Bexar Arcnives.
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