Our Catholic Heritage, Volume IV

Plans for tl,e Reorganization of tlte Frontier

229

have ·been a good distance below present Gonzalez, perhaps only a few miles from Hochheim. They had travelled in all fourteen leagues from Cleto Creek. On August 28, they continued to the northeast, mostly east through frequent oak woods, and crossed Cuervo Creek after going four leagues; six leagues beyond they came to Rosal Creek, one league farther was Padre Campos Creek, and a little more than a league beyond was Los Ramitos and San Esteban Creeks close to each other. Their route must have taken them by or very near present Yoakum and several miles below present Hallettsville, having covered a total of fourteen leagues. From here they resumed their march in the same general direction for eighteen . leagues to just beyond the Colorado River. During the day they crossed La Vaca Creek one league from San Esteban; El Breviario three leagues beyond; La Navidad six leagues; Los Cedritos seven leagues; and Colorado River one league. They must have crossed this river at or near present Columbus. After going a short distance to be out of the river thickets. they camped for the night. At the crossing the water came up to the horses' breasts. Their course was northeast for the next two days. Passing over numerous small streams, most-of them stagnant at the time, they reached the Brazos on September 1, and crossed it somewhere in the vicinity of present Washington-on-the-Brazos. "The gentle Xaraname Indians live in the lands between the Colorado and Brazos de Dios," declared La Fora, "roaming as far as the coast of the Mexican Gulf. Although these Indians are not to be feared, it is necessary to proceed with caution to avoid their thieving activities." The following day they crossed the Navasota some distance above the city of that name and camped on a small lake formed by the river. On September 3, they passed by Laguna del Frances (French- man's Lake) twelve leagues beyond, having previously crossed Carrizo spring, and continuing for seven leagues beyond the lake, crossed Atascoso Creek. Here they turned north and went three leagues, reaching the Trinity. They camped on the right bank of the river for the night, and next day passed over at a point that should be easily identified from the description. "We crossed the Trinity River," says La Fora, "over a rock ledge that extends across the whole breadth of the stream, and over which there was hardly more than a span of water. The only inconveniences are the approaches which are very bad in time of rains, being steep and sharp because of the deep river bed." Probably it was in the vicinity of present Riverside. On September 8. they passed by Castaiias, Santa Coleta, and San Pedro

Powered by