Page:Vol 3 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/344

324 days later Torre marched for Coaxata, The battle took place on the 20th; it was not an unexpected attack by ambushed foes, since the Spaniards were forewarned. The hills swarmed with natives; the Nayarit chief stood in sight directing his men where the padres went up to embrace him, and the army made no special effort to retire, notwithstanding the unfavorable nature of the spot for a fight. The Christians were enveloped in a cloud of arrows, but soon learned they had nothing to fear; the arrows fell harmless, only scratching slightly seven or eight men. Santiago with his heavenly corps was plainly visible to the savage patriots, fighting for the invaders; and after an hour's ineffectual fight Alonso retired with a loss of forty or fifty warriors, and devoted his whole attention thereafter to the defense of the mesa. The Spaniards having come to take possession in accordance with past promises rather than to conquer, did not deem their force sufficient to follow up the victory, and retired to Peyotlan. This is the Jesuit version; according to Mota-Padilla the glorious victory was a defeat, and the Spaniards with difficulty escaped with their lives.

During the remaining months of 1721, fortifications were strengthened at Peytolan, the presidio being called apparently San Juan; while the friars gathered about one hundred natives, baptized them, and founded there the pueblo of Santa Rita. Governor Torre reported to the viceroy, asked for aid and instructions, and at the same time called upon Jerez and Zacatecas for temporary reënforcements with which to hold his position and check threatening movements in the frontier towns. Fifty men were at once enlisted under Captain Nicolás Escobedo and Nicolás Caldera,