518 THE PURSUIT. 



knowledge himself a coward ! His name shall be erased &om the mufter^ 

 rolL" 



At thia announcement, three men stepped forward, and their names were 

 dererally repeated, as they received their discharge, accompanied by th» 

 catting words,—" reason — cowardice .'" 



After this the commanding officer again addressed them : " You are now 

 dishonorably discharged, and, as sentenced, before high heaven, I pronounce 

 you covmrds. If either of you considers this sentence unjust, let him shout 

 der his rifle and choose his own distance. I stand ready to give him any 

 satisfaction he may demand in reparation of .his wounded honor. But, you 

 shall pocket the disgrace. To-night you may stay with us. — ^to-morrow 

 you must and shall leave. 



• " And you, my brave comrades, who have chosen to abide by that flag 

 which has graced the triumphs of by-gone days, may yoi; never desert it 

 in the hour of danger. Look up with hope, and as you gaze upon its 

 bright star of lonely grandeur, consider it the harfcinger of success, — th« 

 genius of victory." 



The next morning, the three faint-hearted volunteers accordingly left 

 camp, reducing our little number to twentji^-one ; — a lean force, truly, for 

 an expedition so jiazardous. Yet none flinched at the thick array of antici- 

 pated dangers. All were ready and anxious for the encounter. 



The above summary proceeding completely effected its designed object, 

 at least for the present, and reduced the turbulent spirits to tlie wholesome 

 restraints of disciplin^. 



CHAPTER XXXI. 



Mftiican camp. — Pursuit. — Advance upon Mora. — Enemy discovered. — Country b© 

 tween the Rio de la-s Aiiiinas and Mora ; its picturesque beauty. — Admirable point 

 of observation. — Fortifi.id position. — Battle of the pass ; order of attack, passage oJ 

 die river, storming the enemy's camp, and number of killed, woimded and prison 

 ers. — Council of war.— Prifonei-s released. — Message to Amijo.— Return march. — 

 Mexican army. — Attacked, and results of action. — Mexican bravery. — Retreat. — 

 Cross the Table Mountain. — New species of v/i)d onions. — March down the de lu 

 Animas. — Discouragements accumulate. — Disband. — Sketch of factions. — Texan 

 prisoners. — Arrival of reinforcements. — Battle of the Arroyo : killed, wounded, and 

 prisoners. — Retreat of Amijo. — " Stampede." — Frightful encounter \vith the Ca- 

 manches and Kuyawas. — Discharge of troops. — Affair with Capt. Cook. — Suirea- 

 der to U. S. Dragoons, and failure of expedition. — Return to Texas. — Journey t* 

 tlio Platte. — Country between the Arkansas and Beaver creek. — Feasting at camp» — 

 Crows' eggs. — Lateness of .season. — Snow-storm in June. — An Indian fort.— -Serio- 

 •Dtnico adventure with a wolf. — Indians. — Song of the night-bird. 



Fkom C&che Camp w6 resumed our march, and, on the fourth day sub- 

 ■equent, struck the Taos trail at the crossing of the de las Animas } — 

 Aence, continuing up the river about forty miles, we came to a place !•■ 

 MAtly occupied by a detachment of Mexicans. After a carefal ezamiiup 



