Disaster in Rio Grande Valley 8i 



Browning; two or three persons were seated at his 

 feet, and on stools around the room lounged, or sat, 

 our little band, our saddles, blankets, etc., filling a 

 corner of the room. General Porter was there 

 listening to the close of a chorus. One of the party 

 pushed a saddle over for me to sit on, and I began 

 my little address: "How strange it is that the 

 thought of home should, in one short day, so change 

 your spirits; who would have thought that fifty 

 such men would be turned back by the first diffi- 

 culties? What will you say to your friends? 

 Forget your homes for a time and go on like men." 

 But the old answer came, "We won't go on under 

 the present management," and "We won't go on 

 with Col. Webb." I told them it was not possible 

 for them to go on with Col. Webb, as an hour before 

 I had received a communication from him saying 

 his health would not permit him to go on with us, 

 and appointing a time to have a business interview 

 with him before he left on his return home. A 

 silence followed this announcement, and then 

 Lieut. Browning said "Let's go on with Mr. Audu- 

 bon." Three cheers gave their answer, but I told 

 the men not to decide then in a moment of excite- 

 ment, to wait until morning and make up their 

 minds in cool blood, as I wanted no more change, 

 and this would be their last resolve. At ten next 

 morning wx met, and all but six agreed to go on, 

 and we at once moved to a camping ground five 



