Apache Lance, Franciscan Cross — Florence Byham Weinberg

Apache Lance. Franciscan Cross is an Historical Fiction novel..

Three Franciscan missions leave East Texas in 1731, fleeing the French and Apaches. Their caravan, crossing between the Colorado and San Antonio Rivers, is attacked by Apache raiders. The chief is killed and his warrior daughter, Ahuila, vows vengeance.

She infiltrates the caravan and chooses to sacrifice young Fray Marcos. However, she falls in love with him and he with her. She kills a Spanish soldier who attempts to rape her, thus satisfying her vengeance.

Apaches raid the new San Antonio mission, wounding Marcos and driving away the converts. Once healed, Marcos joins the search party, finding the converts dominated by a powerful medicine man. After a contest of 'magics,' Marcos frightens the chief and the converts return to the mission.