Aftermatlz of San Saba· Massacre
143
Flechado en la Cara (Arrow-Scar-Face). The pueblo had two hundred fifty warriors. It was north of the north branch of the Sabine River and was carefully laid out with well-ordered streets and gardens. The warriors had good horses. Near the village, about a league away was a large common farm with irrigation, which was cultivated by all the Indians. Here they planted corn, beans, pumpkins, watermelons, and other vegetables. When the crop was gathered, it was divided among all the families who received share and share alike. At the time of the visit, the Padre observed that the Indians were engaged in the construction of a blockhouse and other fortifications to defend the village from attack. They were even building a subterranean passage. The stream of the river was not permanent, but there were abundant pools of clear water along the bed of the river at all times of the year. The Iscani village was almost as large and equally well planned. with its streets and houses and its common farm lands. While staying with the Tawakonis, Father Calahorra learned that the Taovaya village was about five days' travel to the northwest in the direc- tion of New Mexico. The Indians told him that the pueblo was located at a site facing a broad plain similar to their own. The Taovayas were more numerous. They had over six hundred warriors. Before the zealous mis- sionary started home, a Taovaya chief came to visit him at the Tawakoni village, accompanied by twenty braves and six women. They told him they came to offer peace in the name of their people, who wanted to be friends of the Spaniards in Texas. They were ready and willing to return the two cannon left by Parrilla, if the past was forgiven and forgotten. They asked the Padre to come to visit them and offered to escort him not only to their village but to far away New Mexico, assuring him they could take him all the way to the other Spaniards in fifteen days. They explained that beyond the Taovayas, to the north. were the Seautos (Sioux) Indians, called also Apaches Pelones (short hair Apaches) because of the manner in which they wore their hair. They were very numerous and occupied all the land to the north and west as far as New Mexico. The Taovaya chief also told him that the French had five houses (trading posts) established above his village along the way to New Mexico. These Frenchmen had come from the fort in Arkansas... Recomme11dations of Fray Calalz01-rt1. The good Padre longed to stay indefinitely among the northern tribes. Although much more fierce than 44 Diario del Viage que hizo Fray Joseph de Calahorra. A. G. /., Audiencia de "1exico, 92-6-22 (Dunn Transcripts, 1748-1763), pt. 2, pp. 106-110; Fray Joseph Calahorra to Governor Martos y Navarrete, October 18, 1761, ibid., pp. ll6-ll9.
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