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Ottr Cat/1olic Heritage in T ex,1s
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on l\farch 30, but due to unavoidable delays, Orobio was unable to start until May 15. Starting out from La Bahia on this date, he followed a northwestern course and crossed the Colorado River fourteen leagues (some thirty-five miles) below the Camino Real to Los Adaes. Here he was delayed two or three days on account of high water. Continuing his march in the same direction, he next crossed the Brazos and proceeded in a more easterly direction to the Trinity across level and open country. He reported that the land between the last two rivers was rich and black, with many creeks bordered by good timber. He remarked that this region was well suited for agriculture and cattle raising. From the Brazos to the Trinity he estimated the distance to be about forty leagues (some ninety miles). He states that he kept his course about fifteen leagues from the coast and that he encountered a few lagoons along the way. Before reaching the Trinity, twelve leagues north of what he called San Fernando Bay, he crossed a large creek which he named Nombre de Dios. A short distance beyond he came to San Antonio de Padua, and not far from this stream he crossed Santa Barbara Creek, arriving at the Trinity on June 10. The point was about fifteen leagues from its mouth, but he could neither cross the river, which was high, nor continue to its mouth because of the lagoons that intercepted his march. Camping on the river, he was agreeably surprised to see several Orcoquisac Indians come across the river in canoes to greet him. He immediately dispatched the visitors with a message to the chief of the village at the mouth of the river, who came the next day with four large canoes and many Indians. After the exchange of the usual cour- tesies, the chief insisted on taking Orobio in his own canoe to his village, while his companions took charge of the transportation of the other soldiers, their horses, and their supplies. Orobio was truly amazed at the enthusiastic rect:ption accorded him and his companions. Although the Indians wished him to stay in the village, he courteously but firmly refused the invitation and pitched his camp a short distance from the rancluria. He then distributed presents of food, tobacco, and trinkets of various kinds which he had brought for the purpose. One June 12 and 13, he inspected the ranclzerfo and explored the mouth of the rin:r. He found that the Indians cultivated small patches of land and raised good corn and other vegetables. At the mouth of the river, he disco\'t:red a large sand bar and he noted that it caused the water to be level with the banks for a distance of one and one-half leagues. To
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