110 LIFE IN THE FAR WEST 



Following the course of the Gila to the eastward, 

 they crossed a range of the Sierra Madre, which is a 

 continuation of the Rocky Mountains, and struck the 

 waters of the Rio del Norte, below the settlements of 

 New Mexico. On this stream they fared well ; besides 

 trapping a great quantity of beaver, game of all kinds 

 abounded, and the bluffs near the well-timbered banks 

 of the river were covered with rich gramma grass, on 

 which their half-starved animals speedily improved in 

 condition. 



They remained for some weeks encamped on the right 

 bank of the stream, during which period they lost one 

 of their number, shot with an arrow whilst lying asleep 

 within a few feet of the camp-fire. 



The Navajos continually prowl along that portion of 

 the river which runs through the settlements of New 

 Mexico, preying upon the cowardly inhabitants, and 

 running off with their cattle whenever they are exposed 

 in sufficient numbers to tempt them. Whilst ascend- 

 ing the river, the trappers met a party of these Indians 

 returning to their mountain homes with a large band 

 of mules and horses, which they had taken from one of 

 the Mexican towns, besides several women and children, 

 whom they had captured as slaves. The main body 

 of the trappers halting, ten of the band followed and 

 charged upon the Indians, who numbered at least sixty, 

 killed seven of them, and retook the prisoners and the 

 whole cavallada of horses and mules. Great were the 

 rejoicings when they entered Socorro, the town whence 

 the women and children had been taken, and as loud 



