Year 1598:
“MULA!”
The shouted command to move is loud and clear, and the four-mule team feels the sharp slap of reins on their hindquarters. They swish their tails in fast back and forth movements, trying to make the sting from the hide reins disappear. Miguel Luis, the trusted mestiso servant of the Andres Romero family has handled wagons many times before. He was born with small hands but he is able to grasp the handful of leather straps, as he carefully guides the team into position with the rest of the group.
This particular covered mule wagon Andres chose for the trip is heavier; a type considered a modern conveyance over smaller, single animal-drawn, or team four-wheelers. It is covered with a patchwork of canvas and supported by bent sapling half-hoops, giving the top a rounded appearance. Depending on one’s height, you can almost stand up inside, or walk around with ease. Leader Oñate and his family also ride in one similar to the Romero mule drawn wagon, except theirs is pulled by a team of horses.
However, even rarer is a servant who during the entire journey will be completely in charge of the wagon as well as protector of his mistress. This is what the captain told him, and is what Miguel Luis very proudly conveyed to family and friends staying behind. He looks around and gets a good feeling as he recognizes many people from his neighborhood.
Captain-General Oñate had placed Andres in charge of the middle groups, certain the entire train would move smoothly. As Alferes (Lieutenant), his brother Bartolomè is second in command of a group up front. The designated assembly point is just outside the town limits, and just before leaving, the captain had instructed Miguel Luis to make sure and get in Group Ten at the scheduled time. He told him that he and Deluvina would be there.
“MIGUEL LUIS! MIGUEL LUIS!”
Children jump up and down, pointing in his direction as they see him guiding the wagon team towards them. Shrieks and shouts continue, “THERE HE IS! I SEE HIM! Also riding in is Andres who dismounts by his wife and relatives, speaking to no one in particular, “Well, we are on our way.” Then he gets closer to his wife, “Dearest, we only have a few moments, other families are scheduled in soon and we need to make room for them.” What follows is a tearful departure as they all shake hands, hug, and kiss.
Deluvina feels someone’s hand on her elbow to help her climb up on the wagon. Then sitting by Miguel Luis, she dabs at tearing eyes with a bunched-up kerchief and tugs at the shawl over her shoulders. Andres gallops away, shouting instructions to others in the train group.
“MULA!”
Miguel Luis snaps the reins and feels sure everyone heard him then, his eyes moist. He can hardly see and is almost at the point of losing gathering tears to roll down his cheeks, but forces himself to the task at hand. After all, with the awesome responsibility he is charged with, he does not want anybody to think he is a crybaby. It is the beginning of the New Year and the winter solstice weather had reached Sacatecas, temperatures now cooler, but too busy with the task at hand, Miguel Luis does not feel it
It turns colder as they journey north and everyone bundles up to keep warm. The pace of the long caravan is slow, or as fast as the slowest animal averaging four leagues per day. (One league equals a little over three miles) After weeks of travel, they finally reach the Royal Presidio of Santa Barbara, and the driver ahead passes on the signal to stop. They had been told that once they got to the fort, they would rest and resupply. Caravan leaders had already gone on ahead to see about camping spaces, and now come back to say they can set up anywhere in the open.
Families take advantage of the break, while those in charge move around the fort of Santa Barbara, seeing about obtaining more supplies and livestock to add to the train. Then after a two week break, barrels are topped off with fresh drinking water, and keeping the rising sun on their right, move out again.