01'r Catholic Heritage in Texas
that it was not known, but that the garrison at La Bahia was similarly afflicted. Fourteen soldiers and several families at Espiritu Santo also were sick. Before the encl of the summer, Sergeant Rodriguez, the first commander of the mission guards, died at Refugio. During an explora- tion trip to the coast and the neighboring islands, Captain Cortes discovered the probable cause of the illness. In his report he declared that the swarms of mosquitoes and sand flies were incredible and that they set the skin afire with their stinging bites.' 0 The sickness and inadequate food supply reduced the number of natives to ninety, but the missionaries were satisfied with and made no effort to increase the number because, in their present plight, it would only multiply their difficulties. Chief Frazada Pinta reappeared on June 8 with twelve families and offered to join the mission; sixteen Indians from the Colorado arrived in July and expressed their desire to stay and send for their families. The Padres treated all the visitors kindly but explained that no more could be admitted at the time. They assured the Indians that word would be sent them as soon as the mission received the supplies necessary to take care of them.' 1 Work on the mission building had to be continued in spite of reduced numbers, and a start had to be made on sowing crops to provide for the winter. The lack of adequate materials, however, delayed the work. The soil was not suitable for adobes, for it contained too much sand and broken shells, and consequently lacked the cohesive qualities essential for sun-dried brick. An effort was made to mix the mud with Spanish moss and hay, but even this device gave the adobe no consistency. Cedar was abundant on the northern bank of the mouth of the Guadalupe, but there were transportation difficulties to overcome. By the end of June considerable timber, nevertheless, had been gathered and three hundred adobes had been made. The next month the number was increased to seven hundred. The soldiers were of some assistance, but carpenters and masons were needed to speed up construction, and experienced farmers to teach the natives how to plant and to tend the stock. Father Garza requested skilled laborers, and Governor Mufioz replied that they could 40 Garza to Munoz, June 17, 1793; Munoz to Juan Cortes, June 7, 1793; Cortes to Munoz, July 13, 1793; Munoz to Juan Jose Farias, September I 3, I 793; and Juan Cortes to Munoz, August 23, 1793. Bexar Arcl1ives. 41Garza to Munoz, June 17, 1793; July 21, 1793. Bexar Arcliives.
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