70 



Ex. Doc. No. 41. 



eds. 



1 



Many " fresh signs'' of Indians were seen, but,' as on previous 

 days, we could not catch a glimpse of them. They carefully avoid- 

 ed us. This evening, however, as Robideaux unarmed was riding 

 in advance, he emerged suddenly from a cavity in the ground, thickly 

 masqued by mczquite. He had discovered two Indians" on horse 

 back within twenty yards of him. The interview, was awkward to 

 both parties, but Robideaux was'soon relieved by the arrival of the 

 head of our column. The Indians were thrown into the greatest 

 consternation; they were tolerably mounted, but escape was hope- 

 less. Two more miserable looking objects I never beheld; their 

 legs, (unlike the Apaches we left behind) were large and muscular, 

 but their faces and bodies (for they were naked,) were one mass ot 

 wrinkles, almos\ approaching to scales. They were armed wi^th 

 _ bows and arrows, and one with a quiver of fresh . cut re 

 Neither could speak Spanish, and the communication was by signs. 

 They were directed to go with us to camp, where they would re- 

 . ceive food and clothing; but they resolutely refused, evidently 

 . thinking certain death awaited them, and that it would be prefer- 

 ' able to meet it then .than suffer suspense. The chief person talked 

 . all the time in a tongue resembling more the bark of a mastiff, than 

 the words of a human being. Our anxiety to communicate to the 

 tribe our friendly feeling, and more especially our desire to pur- 

 chase mules, was very great; but they were firm in their pJirpose 

 not to follow, and much to their surprise, (they seemed incapable 

 of expressing joy,) we left them and their horses Jintouched. 



They were supposed by some to be the Cayotes, a branch of the 

 Apaches, but Londeau thought they belonged totKe tribe of Trem- 

 blers, who acquired their name from their emotions at meeting the 



•whites. 



and mea- 



Ubserved to-nigiit rz aitituaes oi poiaris lo 

 sured 9 lunar distances for longitude. 



Lat. 33° 12' 10". Long. 110° 20' 46". 



October Zl. — To-day we were doomed to another sad . disap- 

 pointment.. Reaching the San Francisco about noon, we unsaddlej 

 to refresh our horses and allow time to look up a trail by whicn 

 "we could pass the formidable range of mountains through whipu 

 the Gila cut its way, making a deep canon impassable for the howit- 

 zers. A yell on the top of a distant hill announced the presence 

 of three well mounted Indians, and persons were sent out to bring 

 them in. Our mules were now fast failing, and the road before us 

 unknown. These Indians, if willing, could supply us with muleS 

 and show us the road. Our anxiety to' see the result of the inter- 



view w^as, consequently, very great. ' It was amusing, and at t.he 

 same time very provoking. They would allow but one of our P^^^ 

 to approach. Long was the talk by signs and gestures; at length 

 they consented to come into campy and moved forward about a huQ' 

 dred yards, when a new apprehension seefned to seize them, ^^ 

 they stopped. They said, as well as could be understood, that tbe 

 two old men we met yesterday had informed their chief of our pr^' 

 sence, and wish to obtain mules; that he was on his way with soDae? 

 and had sent them ahead to sound a parley. They were better" 



