The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-02-06

who were too sick to travel, ESCAPED from
their masters and started westward down
the coast. Nothing had yet been heard
Of the four who had previously set out.
For six years CabeSa led slaves lire,
sometimes on the mainland, sometimes on
the island.
At the end OF these six years he aud
his companion, Lopc de Ovicdo, escaped
from the Indians and started down the
coast. After having crossed four rivers
they came to bay, most probably Mata-
gorda bay On the farther side OF this
bay they met party OF Indians coming
to visit the Indians on the island. These
told them beyond were three men, like
the Spaniards. The Indians also said
that If Cabeza wished to see them that
In the next few days they would be at
walnut grove not far distant. At this
point Lope dc oviedo, terrified by the In
dians' tales of cruelty, refused to go far
Their, and returned to his former masters.
Two days later Cabeza Joined the other
three In the walnut grove. They were
three OF the party who had left the is
land six years before. Their companions
had been killed by the Indians or had
died from hardships. OF the powerful
force which. not long before. Naryaez had
led into the swamps Of Florida. there now
remained only this mere handful of wretch
ed creatures, who maintained precarious
livelihood as slaves OF the Indians.
We believe that we can identity the
vicinity In which this meeting occurred.
But Of this we shall speak more at length
in another place; 1t Is sufficient 10 say
that the Spaniards were most probably in
the neighborhood of Matagorda bay, and.
perhaps, near the mouth of the Colorado
river. They remained quietly here Tor
SIX months, waiting until the Indians
should go to the prickly pear region. at
which time, many tribes being gathered to-
gether, they thought they could best make
their escape. For three months in tho
year the Indians In that part of the coun-
try lived entirely on the fruit of the cactus.
So luxuriant and thick is the growth Of this
plant in Southwestern Texas that we can
safely say il was to this region that the
Indians came early.
AS the Spaniards had anticipated, they
were taken In due season TO the prickly
pear region, where they planned their es-
cape. On the day settled upon Tor theif
departure the Indians .quarrelcd among
themselves and the Spaniards we're sep.
arated. After a years. weary waiting ~
the next prickly pear season they were
again brought together, and again sepa-
rated before they could escape. In despair
they appointed a meeting place, and each
pledged himself to elude the vigilance OF
his master. and join the others ~ the
appointed time. This time they were sue
cessful. and the four men began their des-
perate Journey to find the Spanish settie-
lnents in Mexico.
ranidly. fearing greatly lest the Indians
should overtake them. They soon came 10
another Indian tribe. where they we're
kindly treated. From here they went on 10
another tribe, where they stayed e'sht
months. q.
AT this point, their social position, II
surh II NAV be called was exalted beyond
their widest hopes and they entered upon q
career that probably has no parallel III an
history. AS far back as Cabeza siaNs
residence on Malhado island, he had GU
occasions been called upon 10 osiie. ~
cures after the Indian fashion, ne nav
done SO with seeming reluctance. ~.
dreaming of the TREMENDOUS p S,s yrasn
the tribes which lay within MS sfasp
However, he and his friends had searce's
begun their Journey towards civiiAa.'on
hefore the Indians forced this unexpeetel
greatness upon them. "That same Issn' y.
our arrival says Cabeza, some lhu'als
came to Castillo and told them lhey -
great main In the head. begging MIN 10
cure them. After he had made over mem
tba s;pn of the cross, and commendeh 'tein
~ Cn5 they instantly said all pun lau
,oft and went to their houses, prihsins
I'm prickly pears, with piece OF ,o.,
n thing little known to us. AS lhs iup ,,,v
Of Castillos performances spIsa1' ,,.',.a
nvI,Q n
heal them, each bringing piece Vi 90
son until the quantity OF 1T pecanie so
srn,, that We knew not where % alsposs
~ II We gave many thanks 10 ",u'
every day went on increasing iii'
sion and his gifts md ne
New hopes were thus klIn,sui ~ NV
rn,n;ards continued with deliberate p n
npse The practice which had accinehea..s
pooned n new career to them, inei, ih 80
op,.ssd and from this time forward .ua.'
march was the progress OF Hi"l.i , ~ wen
;rine men often attended by hun. no
thousands, says Cabeza. me iua ,na.;,s,s ~,
rendered all their earthis paa thom
these children OF the sAn' a VI.
MS willing slaves. r t,anezn nlst
~ ~ ~ oi ,,omc of the queer cu'So,ns =,
10 tribes through which he pashe" o,,r,,d
triha when a child died. ~ " WIS N
for whole year. the weeping peS ,.,sa, II
the morning and lasting W, VII, $50 q, thai
- hroth,r or q husband dieu. pu''y 10,
= III, would nc In Searcn OF loo' IS.
, .h'aa months. but would starve 70 uIaeN
~ ~, n,o,ided TO- by the rest OF J NC ''. rs,
=, var they were keen ana Nisii N,,. h,,,a
var, iors dug 6iichec III front - lne,' ~.
sna lying down IN laeni, n,i' anI t,yise
rod themselves with brush an -,
~ NJ concealed they could do .nucn uaiti,
asa They drank liquid maze by t'asu ,as
certain kind OF leaf, upon wnien 49,,
We S then poured. This naa an i'' .,n, lhes
effect. and for three aasS E ~ he i'm.
mo was read ready to be used until It was 90
sumed they cried continually. " v Mem.
10 drink. who wishes to drink ,ns,ant,'
woman heard this, she stopped ihStlht.s
whatever wS she was doing. II she moyai, ~ y
was thought an evil spirit went ln.o 'n =.
liquid and it was thrown AWAY an
waman wn, beaten with STICKS The me-
QUITE M bean. an Important nrticle. OF fSod
with them was prepared for eatsns N -,
peculiar manner. hole was dug ~ w, Nv,
ground; in TIL, the beans were placed ana
poun( ed with clab. Dirt and water Wet'
poured in on them s<ld all stirred up 70
eether. Then the Indians gathereh af"nne
and ate ous Of the whole. II II ana not tasts
right, more dirt was stirred il.
Among these tribes caseza ana NJ. com,
paniols wandered for niaay days. AWAY
followed BY a great number II Indin;is. "
approaching new tribe. he lndians cam;
cut to meet them. laying all their Iosaes
sicrs at the SIaniards feet. Caheza men
thora . his flllQwtla