Regarding the date originally arranged for the revolt, and the date which the knotted cord signified, there is some confusion. The original plan seems to have been to rise on the 13th, for on the 9th Otermín in Santa Fé received three reports to that effect from three different and widely separated sources. The first one of these was from the Father Visitor Fray Juan Bernal at Galisteo, the second from the Father Preacher Fray Fernando de Velasco at Pecos, and the third from the alcalde mayor Marcos de Dehezas at Taos. On the same day, moreover, the Indian governors and captains of the Tanos pueblos, and those of San Marcos and La Ciénega, who were all unwilling to agree to the plans as presented to them by the representatives from Tesuque, named Catua and Omtua, betrayed these plans to the Governor, stating to him that the 13th was the day set, but they made no reference to a knotted cord. However, Catua and Omtua, on being arrested and brought before Otermín, testified, also on the 9th, that they had been given a cord with two knots in it, to carry to the Tanos, San Marcos, and La Ciénega chiefs, and that this signified that only two days remained before they were all to revolt. ( . . . “dandoles dos nudos en vna correa de gamusa que significaban los dos dias que faltaban pa. la execusion de su traision.”) This would make the 11th the date settled upon, and that date is further established by the testimony of a Queres Indian, named Pedro Naranjo, who was examined by Otermín in 1681, when the latter was attempting a reconquest of the province, and who testified definitely that Catua and Omtua were captured two days before the time set for the revolt. ( . . . “y tteniendolo assi dispuesto dos dias antes de la ejecucion por Tener noticia su ssa, y auer presso dos Yndios Complices del pueblo de tesuque.”)
The question now arises, why did the Tanos chiefs who had just been visited by Catua and Omtua tell Otermín that the date agreed upon was the 13th? The following answer is suggested: As has already been stated the original date agreed upon seems to have been the 13th, but evidently, for some reason not stated, this date was changed. Accordingly, when Catua and Omtua reached the Tanos pueblos, finding their chiefs opposed to the revolt, and fearing to divulge the new date, they probably led them to believe that the 13th was still the date agreed upon, in this way making excuse for their presence among them. Not knowing of their deception, therefore, the chiefs told Otermín that the date for the revolt was the 13th. For the evidence on this subject see: Auto of Otermín, in Auttos tocantes, 1-2; “declaracion (del Indio Juan),” in Autos Pertenecientes, 22; “Declarasion de Pedro naranjo de naçion queres,” in Ibid., 27.
