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Ty go ae 266 
be because you prove the strongest in battle. I suggest to you to 
stop at the Sapillo, and I will march to the Vegas. We will meet 
and negotiate on the plains between them.” 
The artillery were detained some time in passing the Sapillo. 
This kept us exposed to the sun on the plains for four hours, but it 
gave the colonel time to reflect on the message with which he should 
dismiss the lancers; as there was some apprehension that Captain 
» Cook was detained; their discharge’ became matter for reflection. | 
Sixteen miles brought us in sight of the Vegas, a village on the 
stream of the same name. ~ . 
3 alt was made at this point, and the colonel called up the lieu- 
tenant and lancersand said to them, ‘“‘ The road to Santa Fé is now 
- meet him, and I hope it wi'l be as friends.’ 
At parting, the lieutenant embraced the colonel, Captain Turner, 
_and myself, who happened to be standing near. - 
The country to-day was rolling, almost mountainous, and cov- 
_- ered in places with scorie. Grass began to show itself, and was 
_ interspersed’ with malva pedata, lippia cunefolia, and several new 
species of geraniace, bartonia, and convolvulus. The soil was 
_ good enough apparently, but vegetation was stunted from the want 
_ of rain. As we emerged from the hills intothe valley of the Vegas, 
_ our eyes were greeted for the first time with waving corn. ‘The. 
_ stream ‘was, flooded, and the httle drains by which the fields were 
irrigated, full to the brim. The dry soil seemed to drink it in with 
looked like an extensive'brick-kiln. On approaching, its outline 
_ presented a square with some arrangements for defence. Into this . 
square the inhabitants are sometimes compelled to retreat, with all 
_. their stock, to avoid the attacks of the Eutaws and Nayahoes, who 
_ pounce upon them and carry off their women, rary helen 
_ ried off 120 sheep and other'stock. As Captain Cook passed through 
the town some ten days’ since, a murder had just been committed 
_ on-these helpless people. Our camp extended for a mile down the 
valley; on one side was the stream, on the other the ‘cornfields, 
with no fence or hedge interposing. What a tantalizing prospect 
for our hungry and jaded nags; the water was free, but a chain of 
_ sentinels was posted to protect the-corn, and strict orders given 
that jt should not be disturbed.  ” : 
_ Captain Turner was sent to the village to inform the alcalde that: 
_ the colonel wished to see him and the head men of the town: In 
_ with numerous servants, prancing and careering their little nags 
into. camp. + < . 
Observations.—9 altitudes of polaris in the ncrth, 7 of arcturu 
Latitude 35° 35/ 
Longitude 7h. 00m. 46s; 
_ Height, by the barometer, 6,418 feet. Y me 
_ August 15.—12 o’clock last night information was received that 
. 
Only a few days since, they made a descent on the town and ¢ar- . 
the avidity of our thirsty horses. The village, at a short distance, — 
a short time: down came the alcalde and two captains of militia, - 
as free to you as to myself. . Say to General Armijo, I shall soon 
y) : 
a 
s 
n the east, and 7 of alpha aquile in the east. fa 
6! 05’. : : 
