Our Catholic lleritagc in Texas
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the dwindling nations of central and south Texas, they were far superior in character to the shiftless and treacherous Apaches of San Saba. They appeared to be sincere in their protestations of friendship and in their desire to be instructed in the faith. It was with difficulty that he finally took leave of them after a week's stay, having convinced them that he could not remain any longer without permission from his superiors. He promised them, however, that he would soon return to establish missions for them. Before leaving he appointed Chief Flechado en la Cara ( Arrow- Scar-Face) Captain of the Tawakoni village and invested him with a silver mounted cane, the insignia of his office. He honored Chief Llasco, called by the Spaniards El Zurdo (Lefty), in similar manner, making him Captain of the Iscanis village, giving both of them Spanish flags to replace the French ones they had. All the Indians rejoiced publicly and bade a fond farewell to the enthusiastic missionary, wishing him God- speed and an early return. As a final token of their friendship they presented him with two Spanish women captives and a child they had bought from the Seautos (Sioux). 45 On his return to Nacogdoches, Father Calahorra made a detailed and glowing report to the governor and warmly urged the establishment of missions for the northern Indians. He pointed out the superior character of these tribes and the advantages of reducing them to mission life. If their friendship was not won, the French and the English would eventually turn them against the Spaniards. The policy in regard to these Indians should be changed and the Apaches abandoned, unless they agreed to be reduced to mission life. Most of the missionaries in Texas had become disillusioned by the perfidy of the Apaches (Lipans), who had repeatedly demonstrated their worthlessness, a lack of serious purpose and a complete disregard of their pledges. This opinion was fully in accord with the views of the governor, who, agreeable to the proposal of Father Calahorra, instituted an inves- tigation to secure further evidence of the friendliness of the northern Indians. In the investigation Cayetano Gomez, soldier at Los Adaes, declared he had heard from those who went with Governor Alarcon to the Tawakonis in 1718, that they had penetrated as far as the country of the Wichitas, which was in the direction of New Mexico. Several years later, after Alarcon left Texas, he and other soldiers had gone out hunting and ,·isited the Yillage of the Wichitas, which was southwest of the Tawakonis. He had been surprised to find a lar~c wooden cross still '-Father Calahorra to Governor Martos y Navarrete, October 18, 1761. A. G. I., A11di,mci,1 dt! ,1/,Jxico, 92-6-22 (Dunn Transcripts, 1748-1763), pt. 2, pp. 116-119.
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