alee 28 
‘There goes my army—you see but a small portion of it; there . 
are many more behind—resistance is useless. 
-“Mr. alcalde, and you two captains of militia, the laws of my 
country require that all men who hold office under it shall take the 
oath of allegiance. I do not wish for the present, until affairs be- 
come more settled, to disturb your form of government. If you 
are prepared to take oaths of allegiance, I shall continue you /in © 
office and support your authority.” 
This was a bitter pill; but it was swallowed by the discontented 
captain, with downcast eyes. The general remarked to him, in. 
hearing of all the people: ‘‘ Captain, look me in the face while you 
repeat the oath of office.” The hint was understood; the oath 
taken, and the alcalde and the two captains pronounced to be con- 
tinued in office. The citizens were enjoined to obey the alcalde, 
&c. &c. The people grinned, and exchanged looks of satisfaction; - 
but seemed not to have the boldnessto express what they evidently 
felt—that their burdens, if not relieved, were at least shifted to 
sofme ungalled part of the body. ‘ 
We descended by the same ricketty ladder by, which we had 
climbed to the tops of the houses, mounted our horses, and rode 
briskly forward to encounter our 600 Mexicans in the gorge of the 
- mountains, two miles distant. ace 
‘he sun shone with dazzling brightness; the guidons and colors 
of each squadron, regiment, and battalion were forthe first time 
unfurled. The drooping horses seemed to take courage from the 
gay array. The trumpeters sounded ‘ to horse,’’ with spirit, and. 
the hills multiplied and re-echoed the call. All wore the aspect 
- of a gala day; and, as we approached the gorge, where we expected 
to meet the enemy, we broke into a brisk trot, then into a full gal- 
lop, preceded by a squadron of horse. The gorge was passed, but 
no person seen. ae 
One by one the guidons were furled; the men looked disappoint- 
. ed, anda few minutes found us dragging our slow lengths along 
_* with the usual indifference in regard to every subject except that 
- of overcoming space. 
_ Two miles further brought us to another pass as formidable as 
he first, and all the intermediate country was broken and covered 
_ with a dense growth of pine, pifion, and cedar. Here the moun- 
_ tains of red sand-stone, disposed in horizontal strata, begin to rise 
to the height of a thousand feet above’ the road. Nine miles more 
- brought us to Tacoloté. 
feet. 
_ We marched ten miles farther, to the Vernal springs, and halted 
at the upper spring, and observed for time and latitude about 500 
feet south of the upper spring. 
: Observed 9 altitudes of polaris, 7 of alpha aquile, and 7 of arc- 
_ turus. Latitude 35° 23’ 19”; longitude 74. Olm. 23s. > 
