At the end of many weeks Barreda arrived with some companies of St. Iagan horse. Having pitched his camp in sight of the deserted colony, he sent Landriel with a very few companions to the horde of Alaykin. Arrived there, he proclaims a pardon, in the name of Barreda, for their desertion, on condition of their immediate return; he endeavours to persuade them that the reports concerning the removal of the colony were false and futile; and tells them that Barreda is coming laden with gifts to reward the obedient, but at the same time accompanied with a formidable number of soldiers. The Abipones, yielding to the eloquence of this benevolent man, laid aside their fears, and returned, in company with Landriel, to their former abode. On their return they were not only cordially received, but liberally rewarded with the usual presents, by Barreda, whom you would have supposed either ignorant or unmindful of their late desertion. All good men admired his prudence in treating the savages, though culpable, with gentleness and kindness, like children, who, when in error, are more easily induced to amendment by toys than by threats or infliction of punishment. Certainly Barreda is to be praised for abstaining from unseasonable rigour, but his bestowing so many caresses on the Abiponian chiefs, and promising more than he was able to perform, was perhaps worthy of censure. The Abipones, relying on this indulgence from the Spaniards, whom they imagined afraid of them, grew bolder in their attempts than before. Let one example serve for all the rest. Barreda, on his departure, left in the colony some bales of woollen cloth, to pay the Spaniards hired to guard the cattle. The Abipones, through the artifices of the female captives, were deceived into a belief that this cloth was intended for their own clothing, and threatened to kill the Father if he did not immediately give it up to them. As they passed the night in unusual noise and drinking, the Father was afraid that when intoxicated they would execute their threat of taking away his life; and to avert this danger delivered up, next day, all the cloth in his house to the greedy and formidable savages. In a few days, at the command of the Provincial, I removed from St. Xavier to that colony, accompanied by fifteen hundred Mocobian horsemen. Great was my surprize to see a crowd of Abipones, almost all clothed in garments of the same colour, riding out to meet us; for they suspect all comers of hostile intentions, and imagine them treacherously inclined. I reached the court-yard of our house, surrounded and almost overwhelmed by this troop of Abiponian horsemen. Father Sanchez came out to meet me, and rushed into my embrace. His figure, dress, and appearance inspired me first with terror, and afterwards with pity. He wore a hat made of straw. His gown was dirty, worn, and of no colour. His beard was long, thick, and blacker than pitch. The affliction of his soul appeared in his countenance.