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Show The slow progress of the last week seriously reduced their supplies. If they went west, there would be no assurance of meeting people or qetting food. They could face a two to three month delay or, perhaps, If they did make it to Monterey, even death from hunger or exposure. Santa Fe would not give them a to that return were afraid trip they to the Timpanogos Utes by the return time a to trip prepare enough Such a failure would destroy their hopes of next summer as promised. converting the Utes (who would feel deceived) and frustrate the expansion of the King's empire to these lands. Of highest importance to the padres was the safety of the boy Joaquin, If they were to go west and suffer who had a growing devotion to them. all that they feared would happen, then what would Joaquin do? More severe weather, quarreling, and lack of food would surely lead to his disillusionment; he would desert the Spanish explorers as Jose Maria did, only farther away from his home and in worse weather. The fear that this boy, who trusted the missionaries so thoroughly, might freeze to death in the desert because of their obsession with Monterey The padres made a decision to give up and became a decisive factor. return to Santa Fe. Thus, after telling the other travelers of their intent, the fathers Miera and two others lead the group south towards the Colorado River. the Andres and Fe Santa Lain of Muniz, interpreter) were (Don Joaquin servants that the padres the convince to and even began disappointed Soon this insubordination became an unbearable threat to were wrong. Miera urged upon his followers thoughts of the harmony of the groupo the great glories to be had in discovering a trade route to Monterey. To him, exploring new lands and finding promising sites for missions He and the others felt among the Utes and Paiutes was not enough. to cheated in coming all this way just spread the faith. After all, week's journey away, or so he believed. Monterey was only another the other hand, felt satisfied; finding the way to wait until next year. Riding apart from the others, Monterey could their convince to means complaining partners of their they discussed not had helped, the two decided to cast lots folly. Since reasoning "Monterey ", of and 1 ea ve the fate of the tri pin the hands of God. them south direct "Cosninall would while mean would on," course, "go The padres, on Miera agreed to this, to the land of the Havasupai and Hopi Indians. II "Cosni na came up. and after lengthy prayers, the lots were cast: The noblemen and servants gave up their resistance to the padres and apparently caused no further problems. As the group moved southward, they met more Paiutes who were even more shy than the previous ones. What little information they could get from them only tantalized the Spaniards but it was clear they were nearing the great river. Before they crossed the Virgin River near present-day Toquerville, Utah, they discovered fields of corn and signs of irrigation, but no farmers. These Paiutes, the Parrussis, were the only ones seen by the explorers who had progressed beyond mere seed gathering and small game hunting. E-6 |
