238 IN THE OLD WEST 



Venabides, a Franciscan, whose veracity is beyond 

 impeachment, declared that, while preaching in 

 the regions now known as New Mexico, one million 

 Indians from the " rumbo " known as Cibolo, a 

 mighty nation, approached his temporary pul- 

 pit on the Rio Grande, and requested in a body 

 the favor of being baptized. Struck with the 

 singularity of this request from Indians with 

 whom he had as yet held no communication, and 

 with conscientious scruple as to whether he would 

 be justified in performing such ceremony without 

 their having received previous instruction, he hesi- 

 tated a few moments before making an answer. 

 At this juncture the Indians espied a medallion 

 which hung around his neck, bearing the effigy of 

 a certain saint of extraordinary virtue. At sight 

 of this they fell on their knees before it ; and it 

 was some time before they found words (in what 

 language does not appear) to explain to the holy 

 father that the original of that effigy, which 

 hung pendant from his neck, had been long 

 amongst them instructing them in the elements 

 of the Christian religion, and had only lately dis- 

 appeared; informing them that certain reverend 

 men would shortly appear in the land, who would 

 finish the good work she had devoutly commenced, 

 and clench the business by baptizing the one mil- 

 lion miserable sinners who now knelt before El 

 Padre Venabides. 



" Valgame Dios! " reverently exclaimed that 



