THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION. 315 



heard deserving of attention, and the conclusions to which we have 

 come concerning this interesting place, are all written down. All else 

 save the things we saw admits of doubt, and is obscured by so dark a 

 cloud of uncertainty as to leave much ground for new theories, and for, 

 perhaps, infinitely more valuable conclusions. 



We found that the Mescalero Apaches, with whom we had some busi- 

 ness of interest, had all gone far towards the south. Our guide, who 

 was a captive amongst them for eight months, gave us some information 

 as to their strength in warriors, which is worthy of record. He says 

 they live in small bands, or families, in order to distribute themselves 

 over a greater extent of country for purposes of hunting. When they 

 are engaged in war, or upon any other enterprise of importance, these 

 bands become united. When separated, they are each controlled by a 

 sub-chief; when acting in concert, they choose a head-man to direct 

 affairs for the time being. The ibllowing list shows the name of each 

 of these sub-chiefs and the strength of his band in fighting men : 



Santos has forty men ; 



Josecito has nine men ; 



Barranca has nineteen men ; 



Negrito has twenty men ; 



Jose Largo has fiiteen men ; 



La Pluma has thirteen men ; 



Santana has nineteen men. 



Two chiefs who live in the Sacramento mountains, whose names are 

 unknown, have fifty men. 



Add to these the ten sub-chiefs, and we have in this tribe two hun- 

 dred and eight men capable of bearing arms. 



They are represented as having many good rifles, and as being most 

 excellent shots. Living in the neighborhood of the great ihorougfare 

 that leads from Texas to California, and having mountain fastnesses in 

 which to take refuge when pursued, they are able, and very willing, to 

 do a great deal ot" mischief. 



From Gran Quivira, the northern point of the Sierra Blanca bears 

 by the compass S. 30° E., and is distant about fifty miles. 



The highest point of the Sierra de las Gallinas bears E. 5° N., and 

 is distant about fifteen miles. 



The peaks known as Las Tetillas bear N. 36'*^ W., and are distant 

 about fitty-five miles. 



We left the ruins about three o'clock in the afternoon, and retraced 

 our steps to the Laguna de la Puerta, where we arrived an hour after 

 dark. 



Thursday, December 22, 1853. 



To-day we returned to Manzana, over the same track we had made 

 to the Lao;una. Here we encountered a snow-storm. This town is so 

 elevated that hardly a cloud passes the mountains that does not shower 

 upon it either rain, snow, or hail. From what we have observed 

 during our second visit to this place, this Botany Bay of New Mexico, 

 we have concluded that our former estimate of the character of the 

 inhabitants was premature and ill-judged; we now beheve that there 



