CHAPTER VIL. 
ieee for Santa cas ae for Food—Summary Effo 
to procure Se es of one of our Pa aa Biloeation 
with a Rico— iis: pasiitaninets Procedure—Great Prepa- 
i ican 
lejo—Junta Departmental and Discussion of my Affair— Writ 
of Habeas Corpus not in vogue—The Matter adjusted and 
Passport granted—The Morale—Impunity of savage Depreda- 
tors—Final Start—Company of Pasefos with shar Fruits and 
Liquors—Arrival at Santa Fé. 
Havine closed all my affairs in Chihuahua 
and completed my preparations for departing, 
I took my leave of that city for the North, on 
the 31st of October, 1839, Iwas accompa- 
nied by a caravan consisting of twenty-two 
wagons (all of which save one belonged to 
me), and forty odd men, armed to the teeth, 
and prepared for any emergency we might be 
destined to encounter: a precaution altogether 
necessary, in view of the hordes of hostile sav- 
ages which at all times infested the route be- 
ore us. 
We also set out provided with an ample 
stock of bread and other necessaries ; for, from 
the suburbs of Chihuahua to the village of 
