The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1931-02-12

LilIidUlICu OAly ny oIdAFlHS IOHhinHIo
of once fiourishinP tribes. There was
no fruit, little game, and no maize.
Even the usual scanty clothing was
minus quantity. Still, the Indians
held Don Luis as one returned from
heaven and, because they had re-
turned with him, the Spaniards were
offered the cream of the natives poor
best.
The approach of winter was reason
enough for leaving, but when the
party remembered the two earlier
failures and the interest of Menendez
in the present missions success, they
courageously decided to remain des-
pite the hardships and low rations
that conditions promised. With the
returning ship captain they sent let
ter announcing their determination
and asking relief as soon as the win
ter was over.
Father Segura was the backbone of
the party. He was chief laborer as
well as leader. He cheered tagging
spirits and set example for his COM
panions by attempting to master the
Indians language. He urged prepa-
ration for the coming winter and
went with the others to gather the
acorns, chestnuts and chinquapins
which were to be their chief subsis-
tence. Aided by the others, he worked
on the construction of rude log cab
in, at one end of which their altar
was set up and at the other their liv-
ing quarters laid out. Then the first
service was held. Wonder and awe as
the mystery and ceremony spread
among the Indians. But it was not
to have a lasting effect.
For a time Don Luis remind with
the whites and was very helpful as in
terpreter and teacher; but savage
blood ran in his veins and about him
was the forest life which was his heri-
tage. The call was too strong. One
day in the midst of winter he left "to
visit his brother chief in a nearby viii
lage." The missionaries waited in
vain for his return. AS the days
heightened into weeks the whites be-
came more than anxious; they were
admittedly worried. AS their protec-
tor he was especially missed. Several
times the brothers went to him plead
ing a reconsideration of his action,
but without success; worse, they re-
ported a growing unfriendliness
among the Indians.
Finally, though, the winter wore
through. About the time the relief
ship was expected Father Quiros,
with two companions, determined on
a last effort to win back Don Luis
friendship. They made the day-and-
a-half journey to the neighboring vii
lage only to have their questions ans
wered evasively and insolently. The
three men bowed with dignity and,
well aware of their peril, turned and
walked away. AS their backs were
turned a shower of arrows whirred
through the air.
Four days later Segura and his
party were interrupted at their pray
ers by shouts from without their cabin.
Don Luis appeared wearing the cas-
sock of Father Quiros, and with him
band of red men. With what he
probably considered great deception
| the Indian demanded of the whites
their axes and knives "to cut wood"
His ruse was easily perceived, of
course, yet diplomacy promised better
than futile resistance, and the party
complied. This was the closing scene.
The entire party was massacred save
for one boy, befriended by younger
brother of Luis. From his story most
of the records were later compiled.
1t is said that Don Luis buried his
victims under the altar of their cabin.
This harly seems in keeping with
Indian traditions, and it is more prob
able that their bodies were subjected
to all the indignities that savage
minds devise.
The authorities of Santa Elena,
meanwhile, seemed Indifferent to the
fate of the band. Under the pretext
that no pilot could be found, action in
support of the little colony was de-
layed until late in the following
spring, when relief party managed
to reach the place where Segura had
landed. They did not attempt to
go ashore, even though in the dis
lance they could see men attired in
the ministers CARDS, toward whom
Don Luis pointed as he stood at the
waters edge telling of the loving care
which had been given the priests
throughout the hard winter. The re-
lief party knew, Of course, that the
missionaries would have eagerly and
joyously approached the boats. The