262 THE PURSUIT. 



knowledge himself a coward ! His name shall be erased from the ciuster- 

 roll." 



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

 severally repeated, as they received their discharge, accompanied by the 

 cutting 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 cowards. If either of you considers this sentence unjust, let him shoul- 

 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 you 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 harbinger of success, — the 

 genius of victory." 



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

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

 an expedition so hazardous. 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 the wholesome 

 restraints of disc'pline. 



CHAPTER XXXI. 



Mexican camp. — Pursuit. — Advance upon Mora. — Enemy discovered. — Country be- 

 tween the Rio de las Animas and Mora ; its picturesque beauty. — Admirable 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 prison- 

 ers. — Council of war.— Prisoners released. — Message to Amijo. — Return march. — 

 Mexican army. — Attacked, and results of action. — Mexican braver}^ — Retreat. — 

 Cross the Table Mountain. — New 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 Cu- 

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

 der 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. 



From Cache Camp we resumed our march, and, on the fourth day sub- 

 sequent, struck the Taos trail at the crossing of the de las Animas ; — 

 ihence, continuing up the river about forty miles, we came to a place re- 

 cently occupied by a detachment of JMexicans. After a careful examina- 



