four tribes, two centuries ago, formed the original inhabitants of Texas. The landing of the colony of La Salle was to them a new and wonderful event. The sight of ships and the sound of fire-arms were to them subjects of awe and astonishment. Living in the simplicity of nature, they were free from most of the diseases and vices of European nations. They were worshipers of the sun, and full of the superstitions common to other North American Indians. They had their rain-makers, their game-finders, and their witches. Living in a mild climate, and among prairies covered with buffalo and game of all kinds, and near streams and bays abounding in fish, they obtained their living with but little effort. They were contented and as free as people ever can become who know nothing of the usages of civilized life.

Early and vigorous efforts were made by Catholic missionaries to convert them to Christianity. Establishments were formed called presidios or missions. Buildings were erected round a square, and consisted of a church, storehouses, dwellings for priests, officers, and soldiers. Huts were erected at a short distance for the converted Indians. The ruins of many of these old presidios remain to this day. But the Indians are now all gone, and none are found except on the northern and western frontiers of the State. One race has disappeared, and a new one is fast filling its place. The weak have yielded to the strong-the savage to the civilized; and before many years roll round, the only record of once powerful Indian tribes will be the beautiful names which still cling to some of our rivers and our mountains.

THE FRENCH IN TEXAS.

The first Europeans who visited Texas were led here by La Salle, who landed near the entrance of Mata

gorda Bay, on February 18, 1685. La Salle was a brave and gallant knight under Louis XIV., King of France. Born of a good family, and intended for the priesthood in the Catholic Church, he had received a finished education. He was a man of great talents, of an enterprising spirit, and possessed firmness of mind which danger and adversity seemed only to strengthen. He kept his own secrets, relied upon his own genius, and bore without a murmur whatever ills befell him.

A squadron of four vessels was provided and furnished by the king, and the whole number of persons embarked in the enterprise, was three hundred. The squadron first touched land near Sabine Bay, but making no discoveries, and being unable to get any information from the Indians, they proceeded westward, and sailing through Pass Cavallo, entered the Bay of St. Bernard, since known by its present name. One of the vessels was wrecked in attempting to land. The others landed in safety, and a camp was formed on the west side near the entrance of the Bay. The little colony was greatly refreshed by an abundance of game and fish. They were charmed with the country. The herds of buffalo and deer that were seen grazing on the prairies, the innumerable wild flowers that covered the earth, and the birds that warbled in the trees, led them to believe that they had found an earthly paradise.

But these bright prospects were soon clouded. Troubles arose with the Indians. Their chief supply of provisions was lost. Sickness began to thin their numbers. Disagreements arose between La Salle and the leading men of the colony. A captain of one of the vessels set sail for France, carrying away most of the ammunition. Finally, the settlement was abandoned, and a new location was selected on the Lavaca

River, and a fort was there erected, and named St. Louis, in honor of the king.

La Salle, the leading spirit of this infant colony, being of an ad venturous disposition, and being intensely desirous of ascertaining the exact mouth of the great Mississippi River, started on the business of exploring the vast regions between Texas and Illinois; and after enduring incredible hardships, and meeting with many wild and romantic adventures, was finally murdered by one of his own men. The Indians, on hearing of La Salle's death, attacked Fort St. Louis, and killed or scattered all the colonists. This was the end of the first European colony in Texas.

THE FIRST WHITE MAN LOST IN TEXAS.

In 1720, a colony of Europeans entered the Gulf of Mexico, with the view of settling in Louisiana. Among them was M. de Belisle, a gentleman of distinction. The wind and current carried the vessel on which he was sailing, into Matagorda Bay. A boat was sent ashore for water, and Belisle, with four others, went in it. As the boat had to make several trips to and from the ship during the day, these men concluded to remain. on shore and go out hunting. But, overstaying their time, the boat made the last trip, and the captain, becoming impatient, weighed anchor and sailed from the Bay. Being thus left alone in an unknown country, the hunters traveled westward along the coast for several days, living upon herbs and insects. Belisle had brought a young dog with him from the vessel. This he gave up to one of the men to be killed for food. The man was so weak with hunger that he was unable to kill him, and the dog escaped and disappeared. The four companions of Belisle died of starvation and despair before his eyes; and for some days after, he

continued to live on worms and insects, until at last the dog returned with an opossum which he had killed. Shortly after this, the dog was wounded by a wild beast, and he was compelled to kill him. Being thus left alone, he turned from the west, and bent his course to the interior, in search of men. He found footsteps, and followed them to a river, on the opposite side of which he saw some Indians engaged in drying meat. They soon discovered him, caught him, stripped him, and divided his clothes among them. They then took him to their village, and gave him to an old squaw, who treated him so kindly, that he soon recovered his strength. He learned their language, became a warrior, and rose to distinction among them.

After some time, a party of strange Indians visited the tribe where he was a captive, and, seeing him, remarked that they had also in their nation some men of the same color. This remark excited Belisle's feelings, and he determined to profit by it. He then made some ink of soot, and wrote on a piece of paper which he had secretly saved, an account of his condition. One of the strange Indians secretly agreed to carry it to the white people at Natchitoches. He performed his promise, delivered the paper to Captain St. Denis, commandant of that post, who wept on learning the fate of his white brother. As St. Denis was a great friend of the Indians, and a favorite with them, ten of their number volunteered to go after Belisle, and return in two moons. They were furnished with horses, and a horse, arms, and clothing for the prisoner. They reached the village, and fired off their guns, which overawed the Indians. Then delivering a letter from St. Denis to Belisle, they helped him to mount his horse, and the whole party galloped away, and reached Natchitoches in safety. From there Belisle found his

way to the infant city of New Orleans, and became Major General of the Marine of Louisiana.

THE SPANIARDS IN TEXAS.

Early in 1686, the Spaniards, who at this time held possession of Mexico, hearing of the effort of the French, under La Salle, to make settlements in Texas, determined on driving them out of the country. An expedition of one hundred men left the Spanish settlement of Monclava in the spring of 1689. But on arriving at Fort St. Louis, on the Lavaca, they found it abandoned. Going into the country, they found two of the French colonists among the Cenis Indians, whom they took prisoners, and sent to Mexico, and there condemned to work in the mines. Returning to Fort St. Louis, they there established the Mission of San Francisco; and collecting some priests and friars, commenced their efforts to convert the Indians. The king of Spain now determined to recover the possession of all Texas and Coahuila. A governor of the country was accordingly appointed; soldiers and priests were sent out to different points, to establish military posts and missions. They took with them cattle, and seeds for planting. They formed settlements on the Red River, the Neches, and the Guadalupe. But in a short time, all these infant colonies, and also that of Fort St. Louis, began to decline. The Indians were hostile, the crops failed, and the cattle died. So that in 1693, they were all abandoned, and Texas was once more without any European settlers.

Not much was done by the Spaniards after this to settle Texas, until the year 1715. From this year may be dated its permanent occupation by Spain. They now commenced in good earnest to found colonies, to establish missions, and by arms, agriculture and arts, to ex