159
Retttm of Rabago and tlze Founding of Caiion ,11issions
longed. Two messengers brought him the news late in October. 'Without the loss of a moment, in order that the opportunity to retrie\'e the wayward children of the plains from their errors might not be lost, the zealous missionary wrote a hurried note to Fray Manuel Naxera, the Commissary General, and set out. By November 4, 1761, he was already in San Saba, from where he reported to his superiors in Mexico City both to inform them of what he had found and done, and to enlist their support in the new enterprise. Aptly has the eloquent chronicler of the Queretaran missionaries in Texas said: "No undertaking seemed to them too difficult. Its very difficulty made it appear easy. Out of the thorns and brambles of their labors and privations bloomed the flowers of their undying faith, which watered with their sweat and blood. ever promised them richer and more abundant fruit." 11 By the time he arrived in San Saba, Chief Cabez6n and the other Apache leaders had retired with all their people a short distance from the presidio. Two messengers were dispatched to inform them of the arrival of the missionary and to ask them to come immediately to take up their abode. On November 3, 1761, one of the chiefs came to the presidio. He told the captain and Fray Jimenez that there were ten chiefs who wished to be reduced to mission life and that their people were well disposed towards the plan. Unblinded by his enthusiasm for the enterprise the good friar wrote: "But as to myself, not until I see them already in a mission, well supplied with food, will I place any confidence in their words. They have failed to keep their Rromises too often." Nevertheless, he added that with the grace of God and the great zeal displayed by the new commander this nation might be reduced to mission life this time. While waiting for the other chiefs to come, he had asked permission to explore and examine all possible sites for the new mission "to dispel certain prejudices and false opinion spread by those who have placed private interest above the salvation of souls." 19 By November 23, 1761, Fray Jimenez was already back at Mission San Bernardo on the Rio Grande, where he had gone to make arrangements for securing the most essential supplies for the proposed mission. Apaches make solemn agreement. Before he left San Saba, however, Fray Diego Jimenc::: favorably impressed. the rest of the Apaches had come and had held a peace meeting with Captain Rabago and himself. They agreed to be congregated in the valley IIArriclv!ta, o,;. ell., 382. 19 Fray Diego Jimenez to Fray Manuel de Najera, Commissary General, November 4, 1761. A. G.Jl-1., Ristoria, Vol. 28, pp. 194-196.
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