104 LIFE IN THE FAR WEST. 



fifteen, became alarmingly brave, and ordering out the whole of his 

 disposable force, some tM'o hundred dragoons, sallied out to inter- 

 cept the audacious mountaineers. About noon one day, just as 

 the latter had emerged from a little town between Socorro and 

 Albuquerque, they descried the imposing force of the dragoons 

 winding along a plain ahead. As the trappers advanced, the 

 officer in command halted his men, and sent out a trumpeter to 

 order the former to await his coming. Treating the herald to a 

 roar of laughter, on they w^ent, and, as they approached the sol- 

 diers, broke into a trot, ten of the number forming a line ui front 

 of the packed and loose animals, and, rifle in hand, charging with 

 loud whoops. This was enough for the New Mexicans. Before 

 the enemy were within shooting distance, the gallant fellows 

 turned tail, and splashed into the river, dragging themselves up 

 the opposite bank like half-drowned rats, and saluted with loud 

 peals of laughter by the victorious mountaineers, who, firing a vol- 

 ley into the air, in token of supreme contempt, quietly continued 

 their route up the stream. 



Before reaching the capital of the province, they struck again 

 to the westward, and following a small creek to its junction with 

 the Green Biver, ascended that stream, trapping e7i route to the 

 Uintah or Snake Fork, and arrived at Roubideau's rendezvous 

 early in the fall, where they quickly disposed of their peltries, and 

 were once more on " the loose." 



Here La Bonte married a Snake squaw, with whom he crossed 

 the mountains and proceeded to the Platte through the Bayou 

 Salade, where he purchased of the Yutas a commodious lodge, 

 ■with the necessary poles, &c. ; and being now " rich" in mules 

 and horses, and in all things necessary for otiurn cum dignitate, 

 he took unto himself another wife, as by mountain law allowed ; 

 and thus equipped, with both his better halves attired in all the 

 glory of fofarraw he went his way rejoicing. 



In a snug Httle valley lying under the shadow of the mountains, 



