The Quarterly of the Texas State Historical Association, Volume 6, July 1902 - April, 1903 Page: 22

22 Texas Historical Association Quarterly.
springs to which they gave the name of San Pedro. These springs
were at the source of the San Antonio river. Captain Ramon
noted the spot as one most suitable for the building of a city.
They found the Colorado swollen by recent rains, and crossed it
with difficulty, after ascending some four leagues. Beyond the
Colorado they found buffaloes in abundance, and from them easily
provided meat to supply the entire company. After they had
crossed the Brazos, which they called the San Xavier, they found
the Indians becoming more numerous, for they were approaching
the country of the Tejas. Everywhere the natives manifested great
joy when they learned that the Spaniards were returning to live
among them. Captain Ramon, in his Derrbtero, has much to say
of the beauty of the country. The Guadalupe river he thinks more
beautiful than can be imagined. There were lakes filled with
fishes; game of all kind in abundance; streams bordered with
umbrageous trees; vines in profusion, loaded with half-ripe grapes;
pastures with grass so luxuriant that the horses could hardly be
made to travel through it; valleys flanked with cedars, willows,
sycamores, live-oaks, walnuts, and lofty pines; and fields of water-
melons and maize from which the Indians, in token of their friend-
ship, brought ripe melons and young corn.
Saint-Denis made himself useful to Captain Ramon as an inter-
preter, and his great influence with the Indians was helpful in
securing for the Spaniards a kindly reception. He went on in
advance of the company to the Tejas tribes, where, according to
the plan, the first mission should be established, and gave notice of
the approach of the Spaniards, returning soon at the head of a
mounted delegation of chiefs. Captain Ramon received them with
proper ceremony, the flaunting of banners and the firing of guns;
and when they had all smoked the pipe of peace, the Indians led
the way to their village. On the way thither they met a larger
body of natives who come to meet them, bearing gifts of maize,
watermelons, and tamales, which they heaped together in a pile
before the Spaniards. Captain Ramon, with reciprocal courtesy.
ordered cloth, dishes, hats, and tobacco to be distributed among
the Indians. Then by means of an interpreter he addressed them,
telling them that the Spaniards had come to look after the welfare
C0arta de Ramon, Texas MSS., 134 vuelta; Saint-Denis is especially
commended as being "obedient and faithful to our nation."