The new town prospered extremely in the beginning and enjoyed entire safety and tranquillity; but this deep calm was succeeded by a sudden storm, and dismal wreck. The Abipones learnt from no dubious report that the Spaniards had thoughts of removing the town, and placing it in a situation nearer to their own city. Accounting this purposed removal extremely perilous both to their lives and liberties, they began to deliberate on flight, the Fathers suspecting nothing of the matter. On the very day of their departure, Alaykin informed Father Sanchez that himself and his people were prepared for the journey, saying that he had a reason for his departure, which, however, he did not specify. He then demands a flock of two thousand sheep; which the Father, equally astonished and terrified at this unexpected news, was obliged to grant. They were all gone in a moment, leaving behind them only three of the most daring Abipones who had agreed to slay both the Fathers in the night, to plunder the chapel, and carry away the household furniture. But, as I have elsewhere related, Ychoalay arriving the same day delivered the Fathers from that state of peril, and assisted them in conveying the sacred and domestic utensils to the town of St. Jeronymo. Father Casado, with the Spaniard who guarded the cattle, repaired to Sta. Fè, whence couriers were sent to Cordoba and St. Iago to announce the flight of Alaykin. Great terror was excited in both places by this news, no one doubting but that the savages would recommence their plunderings. On which account, that little brick fortress situated in El Tio (a plain so called between Cordoba and St. Iago) was erected in its present form, to repress all hostile invasions. Joseph Sanchez, in the town of St. Jeronymo, eagerly awaited the arrival of Barreda, with a troop of St. Iagans, in the persuasion that on his receiving intelligence of Alaykin's flight he would come either to restore the fugitives to their colony, or pursue them with arms if they refused to return. Many days had passed, when, presaging the approach of soldiers from the smoke daily observed toward the city of Sta. Fè, he hastened on horseback to the deserted town, accompanied by an Indian Christian. On the way he was spied by some wandering Abipones hidden within a wood, and destined by them to death when he arrived in the vacant town. As the fleas prevented him from getting any sleep in his former bed, he was obliged to lie down in the court-yard of the house. The Indian servant was his only companion: when they were both sound asleep three savages burst into the court-yard; one of them was aiming a deadly blow, with a spear, at the Father, when he suddenly awoke, snatched up a musket, and put the assailant and his two companions to flight. He then returned unhurt to the town of St. Jeronymo without having seen so much as the shadow of a horseman from St. Iago.