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one hundred and thirty warriors had accompanied the expedition. They had rendered good service as guides and had lost no opportunity to take prisoners, but they had always played safe and had not sustained any losses. Their chief had solemnly sworn that he and all his people would join the mission when they returned. The women and children had left San Saba and taken refuge far to the south, while the expedition marched to the north. After the campaign the big chief had gone with his warriors in search of their people to bring them back. But no reliance could be placed on their promises. Just recently they had sent word they would arrive in the presidio in a few days. Occasional Indians had informed him, however, that the Lipans were too busy celebrating the victory over their northern enemies with native dances, diabolical practices, and heathen festivals to return for many days. In his opinion more stringent means of persuasion would have to be employed, if the faithless Apaches were to be successfully congregated at San Saba. He did not approve the continuance of a friendly policy towards them. The enmity of the northern tribes against the Spaniards could not be laid entirely on the policy adopted towards the worthless Lipans and their kinsmen, the Natajes, Mescaleros, and Faraones. But while befriending them, a more firm insistence that they congregate in missions was advisable. 39 Parrilld s explanation of tlie defeat. The disappointed commander attempted to explain the unexpected reverse suffered at the village of the Taovayas. The chief reason, he averred, was the lack of discipline and proper training of the hastily gathered troops that took part in the campaign. More than half of them were tradesmen and "gente de paz" (peaceful people), who had little or no previous experience in the use of firearms and lacked the martial spirit of the trained soldier. Nothing but seasoned troops could hope to cope with an enemy such as was faced by the expedition. The Indians in the village of the Taovayas were far more proficient in the use of the rifle, the lance, and the sword than the Spanish soldiers themselves. He declared that of all the contingents that took part in the expedition only the one from Nuevo Santander, sent by Escandon, was worth while. But there was a third factor. Parrilla positively affirmed that the Taovayas and their allies were directed in their defense by the French. Everyone had seen the French flag that floated over the stockade. But 39Consulta of Diego Ortiz Parrilla, November 18, 1759. A. G. /., Audiencia de Me:a:ico, 92-6-2:i (Dunn Transcripts, 1759-1761), pp. 228-240.
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