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Show THE FIRST SPANISH EXPLORERS 89 Three times Cabeza de Vaca tried to make his escape, but each time he was re-captured. The following year the annual pilgrimage to the district where the prickly pears were to be found was made. Again the Spaniards made plans for escape, when the Indians suddenly separated, and a second time they were disappointed. Cabeza de Vaca now told his companions that he proposed to escape, even though he had to leave without them; that he proposed remaining until the moon was full, when, if they did not join him, he would escape alone. The appointed time was the 13th day of September, and on that day he was joined by Dorantes and Estevan ; Castillo was unable to come at that time, as he found it impossible to elude his captors. In a few days, however, he succeeded in escaping and reached his companions at the place agreed upon. This happened in the year 1534. Meanwhile they had joined another tribe from whom it was learned that the Camones tribe of Indians, who lived upon the coast, had slaughtered the commanders, Pefialoza and Tellez, and their entire company. In support of their statement the Indians produced some of the arms and clothing that had belonged to them. It is believed by Bandelier that the locality where these four survivors now found themselves was not far from the coast, somewhere between the Sabine and Trinity rivers.®® Now began the journey of these survivors of the ill-fated Narvaez expedition across the continent, through the present state of Texas, and westward to the Pacific, the first Europeans to travel from sea to sea. The Indians having changed their camp and moved into another part of the country, the Spaniards remained with them but one day, when, eluding their vigilance, they fled. It was very late in the Season; the prickly pears had nearly disappeared, but they hoped with what few remained, they would be able to subsist while making their journey. Speedily they passed over a long dis- tance, when toward evening they saw some ‘‘smokes’’ in the distance. Soon they saw an Indian, who ran away. Estevan was sent after him and soon overtook him. The Indian was informed that they Were looking for the people who made the smoke, and asked to be conducted to their lodges. The Indian complied with their request Ml Hodge EF. W., Spanish Explorers in the Southern United States, note, p. 71: “Some thirty leagues inland from the coast between latitude 28 and 29 degrees, ’? |