816 LfTEKSK THiRST. 



jsnction was formed, not with the army wc had hoped to find, but with tho 

 moPB handful wlio had parted from us a few weeks since at the Arkansas. 



Diacouragement and discontent were depicted upon tlie countenance of 

 every one, as tlie lateness of the season adracnishcd us of the extreme un- 

 certainty of tlie arrival of expected reinforcements. The dreaded approach 

 cf the Cumanches, those unsparing enemies of tlie Tcxans, of whom we 

 bad received reliahle intelligence, far mure than the proximity of fcur 

 hundred fifexiciin troops, gave us just cause for apprehension. A council 

 was held forthwith, to decide upon the course proper to be pursued. Pru- 

 dence seemed to dictate an abandonment of our present position, — wliile 

 tiie enemy were looking for us in another quarter, we might steal a maich 

 upon him in his own country. 



These suggestions gave tone to subsequent movements, and early in the 

 nioming of the day following we were under way. For ten or fifteen miles, 

 our course continued up the dry sand-creek that had marked our place of 

 rendezvous, and the ni^ht following was passed witli a few lodges of Ai-a- 

 pahos, who were encamped at a small pool of water near a bluff bank of 

 sandstiine. 



This rock exidbited many rude engravings upon its smoolli side, repre- 

 Mnting men, women, and children, dogs, snakes, and lizards, with various 

 ether devices, — evidently the work of ancient artists 'n commemoration 

 £/ acme remarkable occurrence connected with the former history of the 

 axuiiry. 



I exa.mi2ied tlie sketch v.Mth dpep interest, and felt as if glancuig at the 

 liacm-e records of the grr?atness and glory of some extinct nation, writ- 

 liO. in a language, like itself, now no longer known. 



Our hunters, having accompanied the Indians to the chat-e, soon after 



r ituined witli a choice supply of fresh meat, and four wolt pups. Tlie 



. *;4iter had been taken by an Indian boy, three or four years old, who 



f'^lessly entered the den, during tlie absence of the dam, and bore away 



tar defenceless fandly in triumph. 



The next day saw us again en route. One of our men, having obtained 

 |:3rmissioii of the commanding ofSf.er, proceeded a short distance in ad- 

 '.*ace of the main party for tlie purpose of hunting. Not paying strict 

 attention to the course proposed, he mistook hi;^ way, and, despite our con- 

 tinued eftbrts to set him aright, could no longer be seen or lieard of, and 

 we wore at length reluctantly forced to give him up. 



Contimung up tlie creek some two days, we found it verj' difficult to 

 procure water, and were often compelled to dig for it in the sand to a depth 

 of tiiree or four feet. 



From tliis point, we bore scut ti-south west, and after uiore than a day and 

 aight's hard travelling, over an arid sand-prairie, favored by neitlier tree, 

 shrub, nor watercourse, we arrived at the head of a small affluent of the 

 Cimarone, inducting us to the bewitching scenery of the tlirice lovely val- 

 ley that lay immured witliin its giant walls. 



The fatigue of a forced march, combined with the sweltering heat of aa 

 •iOMMC comd 8IU1 by day and scorcbuig winds by night, iu adaitioR to th« 



