CONTENTS. IX. 



CHAPTER XXIX. 



Return to the Fort, Texan recruiting officer. New plans. Volunteer. The 

 Chance Shot, or Special Providence. Texan camp. Country contiguous 

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

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

 up the de las Animas. The country ; Timpa valley, and its adjoining hills, 

 to the de las Animas. The latter stream ; its canon, valley and enchanting 

 scenery. 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 country. Strict guard. A chase. The meet reward for 

 treason. 244 



CHAPTER XXX. 



March down the Cimarone. Junction of the two divisions. Country between 

 the de las Animas and the Cimarone. Perilous descent. Caiion 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. Remarks. 

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

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

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

 den. A man lost. Forced march. Torment of thirst. Remarks. The 

 lost found. Expulsion for cowardice, — its effect. 253 



CHAPTER XXXI. 



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

 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 results 

 of action. Mexican bravery. Retreat. Cross the Table Mountain. Nev/ 

 species of wild onions. March down the de las Animas. Discouragements 

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

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

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

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

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

 to the Platte. Country between the Arkansas and Beaver creek. Feasting 

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

 Indian fort. Serio-comico adventure with a wolf. Indians. Song of the 

 night-bird. 262 



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