COWTEWl'S. »■ 



CHAPTER XXIX. 



Ictom to the Fort. Texan recruiting officer. New plans. Volunteer. Th» 

 Chance Shot, or Special Providence. Teian camp. Country contiguom 

 to the Arkansas, from Fontaine qui Bouit to the Rio de las Animms. 

 Things at rendezvous. A glance at the company. Disposal of force. Marck 

 up the de las Animas. The country ; Tirapa valley, and its adjoining hilla, 

 to the de la.s ^Inimas. The latter stream ; its caiion, valley and enchantmg 

 Bcenerj'. Tedious egress. Unparalleled suffering from hunger, toil, and 

 cold. Wolf flesh and buffalo hide. Painful consequences of eating cacti. 

 A feast of mule meat after seven days' starvation. Camp at the Taos trail. 

 The adjacent couctry. Strict guard. A chase. The meet reward for 

 treason. 300 



CHAPTER XXX. 



Uarch dovra the Cimarone. Junction of the two divisions. Country between 

 the de las Animas and the Cimarone. Perilous descent. Canon of the 

 Cimarone'. Soil and prevailing rock. A fort. Grandeur and sublimity of 

 scenery. Beauty of rocks. Cimarone of the pain. Fruits and game. Wide- 

 spread desolation. A dreary country. Summer on the Desert. Remarki. 

 Encounter with Indians. Nature's nobleman. Wild horses and different 

 modes of catching them. Failure of expected reinforcements. March into 

 the enemy's country. Ancient engravings upon a rock. Boy in the wolf '■ 

 den. A man lost. Forced march. Tonnent of tliirst. Remarks. Th« 

 lost found. Expulsion for cowardice, — its efiect. 309 



CHAPTER XXXI. 



Mexican camp. Pursuit. Advance upon Mora. Enemy discovered. Coua- 

 try between the Rio de las Animas and Mora ; its picturesque beauty. Ad- 

 mirable point of observation. Fortified position. Battle of the pass ; order 

 of attack, passage of the river, storming the enemy's camp, and number of 

 killed, wounded and prisoners. Council of war. Prisoners released. 

 Message to Amijo. Return march. Mexican army. Attacked, and result! 

 of action. Mexican bravery. Retreat. Cross the Table MounUiin. New 

 species of wild onions. JMarch down the de las Animas. Discouragementa 

 accumulate. Disband. Sketch of factions. Texan prisoners. Arrival of 

 reinforcements. Battle of the Arroyo : killed, wounded, and prisonen. 

 Retreat of Amijo. "Stampede." Frightful encounter with the Cumanchet 

 and Kuyawas. Discharge of troops. Affair with Capt. Cook. Surrender 

 »o U. S. Dragoons, and failure of expedition. Return to Texas. Journey 

 to the Platte. Coimtry between the Arkansas and Beaver creek. Feaating 

 at camp. Crows' eggs. Lateness of season. Snow-storm in June. An 

 Indian fort. Serio comico adventurs with a wolf. Indian*. Soq{ of the 

 ^ifkt-hird. 811 



