RECOXCiUEST. 127 



them relief. In this emergency, Otermin dis- 

 patched an express to the heutenant-gover- 

 nor. who was considerably in advance, and 

 received from his party a few carts, witli a 

 supply of provisions. Towards the latter end 

 of September, the Governor and his compa- 

 nions in misfortune reached Paso del Norte 

 (about 320 miles south of Santa Fe), where 

 they found the advance party. 



The Governor immediately sent an account 

 of the disaster to the Viceroy at Mexico, soh- 

 citing reinforcements for the purpose of re- 

 covering the lost proiince, but none arrived 

 till the following year. Meanwhile the refu- 

 gees remained where they were, and founded, 

 according to the best traditions, the town of 

 el Paso del Norte, so called in commemora- 

 tion of this retreat, or passage from the noiili. 

 This is in an extensive and fertile valley, over 

 which were scattered several Pueblos, all of 

 whoni remained friendly to the Spaniards, af- 

 fording them an asylum with provisions and 

 all the necessaries of hfe. 



The following year Governor Otermin was 

 superseded by Don Diego de Vargas Zapata, 

 who commenced the work of reconquering 

 the country. This war lasted for ten years. 

 In 1688, Don Pedro Petrir de Cruzate entered 

 the province and reduced the Pueblo of Zia, 

 which had been famous for its brave and ob- 

 stinate resistance. In this attack more than 

 six hundred Indians of both sexes were slain, 

 and a large number made prisoners. Among 

 the latter was a warrior named Ojeda, cele- 



