ARRIVAL AT THE FORT. 213 



rently seeking for the turn in that tune which would bring 

 it to a conclusion. 



" We were wakened next morning to find breakfast ready 

 for us, were pressed to, and did, eat heartily, and started on 

 the way, with our direction pointed out, and a luncheon of 

 tortillas in our pockets. 



"I had, before leaving, tried hard to make the poor 

 shepherd accept some money, but he had stoutly refused to 

 take any ; an offering of tobacco and powder was, however, 

 quite irresistible. That night we slept in sight of the 

 smoke of the Fort's chimneys, and early next morning 

 arrived at our destination. 



" I found Captain B. in command. He was most kind 

 and friendly, delighted to have someone to talk to, and take 

 little ' go-downs * with, and insisted that I should consider 

 myself his guest for so long as I could remain. Laughfy 

 was commended to the good offices and hospitality of the 

 Post Quartermaster-Sergeant. My animals were ordered 

 into the government corral to be well taken care of, and I 

 informed that I had but to fill up the requisition forms 

 that the Q.-M. and C. Clerk would lay before me with a 

 statement of what things I required, and, if in store, I should 

 have them. 



" After a substantial eleven o'clock dejeuner d la four- 

 cliette, to which, having fasted since lunching the day 

 before, I did ample justice, I gave Captain B. a concise 

 account of the trip just made, he expressing the utmost 

 astonishment that I should have succeeded in accomplishing 

 it. Laughfy, too, told his version of the story to his host 

 the Post Quartermaster-Sergeant. The yarns made the 





