The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-03-13
THE PAST.
AUSTIN ONE HUNDRED AND
FIFTY YEARS AG0-A LEAF
FROM AN OLD BOOK.
Thrilling Adventures of Two Span
Spanish Missionaries Nearly
$50 Years Ago.

thrilling Adventures of Two Span i
Spanish Missionaries Nearly
$50 Years Ago.
In the year 1850 there was published
IN account of trip of some mission
aries in what is now the state of
Texas. 1t is quite certain that these
men visited the vicinity of the capital,
for the description given corresponds
50 closely that it is easily identi-
fed. A gentleman in Chicago
has copy of this old work written in
Spanish. At the request of member
of the STATESMAN staff, the owner
of the rare old book has furnished a
of so much OF it as it is
Surmised relates to this vicinity. 1t
states that these two missionaries left
what is now San Antonio and came
across the country in northerly
direction. The country is described
as most beautiful, and the abundance
of
GAME
is said to be surprising. About noon
the second day, they came to a river
WulCu, III 10 ouppOoCuJ 10 CAIO SOAOA0so
IL is said the country along its banks
was exceedingly rocky, and they had
difficulty in riding their horses over
it. The river at the point where they
crossed, had a course due east and |
west. Just before they reached the !
river they saw a bear, and they fol- |
lowed this game until about to enter a |
cave which was not far from where |
the bear was first seen. The cave was |
within sight of the river. One of |
them shot the bear just as he was en-
tering the cave. They took this bear
to the bank of the river where they |
built fire and cooked a steak and ate
a very hearty meal. 1t is said there
was quite mountain on the opposite
side of the stream from them, with
the rocks on the side next
to the river very perpendicular.
The scenery is described as grand be-
yond description, and the air was
filled with great caron birds (buz-
zards) that lowered around their camp
in large numbers. The
SUNSET
was clear and reflected the most gor-
geous colors upon the sky. Across the
stream from them was an Indian
camp at the foot of the mountain,
and the smoke from the campfire rose
in graceful curls over the rocky hills.
Grapes hung in great abundance from
vines that grew along the river
banks, and deer and antelope
were seen in great num-
bers. The two men camped all night
on the river bank and were visited
by the Indians, who were exceedingly
friendly. The next day they explored
the cave and they found it filled with
bats. They lighted a torch and went
into the cavern, but had hardly got
into the opening when
MYRIADs OF BATS
started from every side, disturbed by
the glare of the burning brand. They
were so thick that the cave was liter
ally full of them, and they struck
against the men like hail in storm.
| The noise they made is described as
frightful. There were so many
| of the winged mice, so the
pious fathers state, that
they actually knocked them down,
and extinguished the torch in their
rushing flight to the entrance of the
cave. To add to their discomforture
many of the bats bit their hands and
face, and the wounds proved very
| painful. They retreated from the cave
as soon as they could, and it is said
that on the out side the air was filled
with the bats which rushed back into
the cave as socn as they had made
their exit. At night they went back
/ to the cave just as twilight was ap-
preaching to see the bats come
from this cavern. They sat on the
rocks near the entrance a short time.
Presently the bats began to come out
and the number surpassed compre-
hension. They are compared to
SWARM OF BEES.
1t seemed as though they would new
er get out so long were they pouring
! forth in one continual stream from
this bat cavern. This is pretty large
bat story but we presume 1t is true
with perhaps some slight coloring for
in some caves in the state to-day
great numbers of these winged
mice are found. In this city, on Pecan
street, there is space of two inches
between two brick stores, and thous-
ands of tn Sc flying creatures may be
seen rushing out at twilight any
night when The season is such tlat
they are on the wing. After describ
ing this bat cave which is no doubt
the cave on the south side of the
Colorado three or four miles west of
| Austin, the narratives says the mission
aries forded the stream and visited the
INDIAN CAMP
and were kindly received by the
savages. They spent night in this
camp and the next day they
went up the river short distance
and climbed to the top of the high
land or mountain. When they reached
the top they found gentle decliv1ty
on the further side. After descend
ing this they then went back, mounted
their horses and rode them through a
ravine and up the declivity to the
highlands. This is probably
| MOUNT BONNELL.
| The scenery from this mount is de-
scribed as surprising in sublimity and
grandeur anything the missionaries
had looked upon in America. The
beautiful river lay below to the
east and west like thread
| of silver. Grand and picturesque
| hills of rugged rock rose against the
horizon in the south, the east and
the west. To the north glimpse of
the green prairie could be seen, with
herd of buffalos feeding in the dis
lance. The camp of the Indian lent
contrasting charm to the wild sur
roundings. Among the rocky hills
deer and antelope could be seen, all of
which came in to make the picture
complete. In this article it has
been necessary to abridge the orig
inal very much, and perhaps
this language gives but a faint
idea of the description given
in the rare old work itself In read
ing the original, the reader fancies he
is in some enchanted land of myth
instead of Texas. After leaving this
beautiful mountain, they went to the
the open prairie, but before they
reached it they discovered a charming
spring, where the water was cool and
refreshing. There is much more of
great local interest, but space will not
permit
FURTHER REVIEW.
From what we have quoted it is
quite certain the scenes described are
the familiar surroundings of the capt.
tai of Texas, and there is something
of almost thrilling fascination in read
ing about the events transporting on
tho site of thio h1cU oaDita1 nparlu 150