LIFE IN THE FAR WEST. 103 



Followirijr the course of the Gila to the eastward, they crossed 

 a range of the Sierra xMadre, which is a continualiori of the llocky 

 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 

 aboiirided, 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 while 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 thera. 

 While ascending the river, the trappers met a party of these In- 

 dians 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 tho 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 the remonstrances, when, handing 

 them over to their famihes, the trappers rode on, driving fifty of 

 the best of the rescued animals before them, which they retained 

 as payment for their services. Messengers were sent on to Albu- 

 querque with intelligence of the proceeding ; and as troops were 

 .stationed there, the commandant was applied to, to chastise the 

 insolent whites. 



That warrior, on learning that the trappers numbered less than 



