336 DAY BY DAY. 



But what direction should I take 1 This was the first 

 problem I had to solve. I examined the position of the 

 sun; he was on his decline, and slowly disappearing 

 behind the mountains. We had therefore marched in a 

 westerly direction to gain this accursed region ; to return 

 to San Antonio de Bexar, I must necessarily keep my 

 face towards the east. 



In the midst of the vast plain I had no landmark, no 

 beacon to guide me; my shadow alone could serve me 

 for compass. I had to march towards the east : well, then, 

 I must take care that my shadow fell behind me in the 

 morning, and strode before me during the afternoon. I 

 must also keep my eyes constantly fixed on one particular 

 point of the landscape, to prevent myself deviating from 

 a straight line. 



Choosing a goal, I set out, and steadfastly advanced in 

 its direction; and this I did so long as daylight lasted. 

 At nightfall I had still before me the apparently illimit- 

 able plain; but I was sure that I had not digressed from 

 my prescribed route, and this was a great consolation. 

 I halted before it was quite dark, to look for wa,ter and 

 pick up snails. 



During the first two days, neither of these resources 

 failed me; but from the third, the water and the crus- 

 taceans became very rare, and eventually disappeared 

 altogether. I then began to suffer from the cruel attacks 

 of hunger and thirst, and was compelled to abandon my 

 direct course in search of water and food. 



A.t intervals I heard the soil reverberate, and a troop of 

 mustangs made their appearance as if to reconnoitre, and 

 determine who or what I was; but they vanished almost 

 immediately, before I had the time or the opportunity of 



