FROM MOUTH OF DEVILS RIYER TO EL PASO DEL NORTE 



87 



infantry^ and the whole moved rapidly towards the water. A flag was raised by the Indiana, 

 which was answered hy Lieut. Washington and two others riding forward ; but believing it a 

 ruse to divide our forces^ or give time to deliberate, I quickened the speed of the column^ so as 



ngton under cover of our fire ; so that we reached the ground and got 



Wash 



man 



within pistol-shot of the water before we halted to talk. A 

 with a spy-glass to look back, as if additional force was expected. We promptly corraled 

 our wagons near the water^ and put ourselves^ without appearing to do sO; in a good position 

 to fight. We succeeded^ without so stating, in producing the impression that we were only the 

 advanced guard of a large force which would come on the next day^ and possibly that night. 

 We assumed all the air of the superior party, staid eighteen hours on the ground^ and moved 

 ofi* the next day, as if we had a regiment to back us. 



Mexico 



one thousand animals. 



Mucho 



he had purchased his animals in Mexico^ and that he was but the advanced party of several 

 hundred warriors, who were close behind him. We desired very much to attack the party, but 

 our force was too small, and we were three hundred miles from support. The next day, when 

 crossing the dividing ridge between the Comanche and Leon springs, we discovered the dust 

 rising from the trail which crossed our road as far as the eye could reach, leaving no doubt 

 of the truth of ^' Mucho Toro's" statement, that his was but the advanced party of ^^Bajo Sol's" 

 four hundred men. The following summer we found that such a party had passed out of Mexico 

 over this road. 



View of Goiiiez Peak^ from uear fort Davis, 



^^ Mucho Toro'' paid me a visit in full dress, on which occasion he displayed great humility, 

 exhibiting conspicuously on his person an immense silver cross, which he stated had been given 

 him by the Bishop of Durango when he was converted to Christianity, He had^ no doubt, 



