294 CASAS GRANDES TO 
appearance. I was by no means well prepared for 
the visit; for the wagon which contained my tent and 
baggage, being the one which had met with the acci- 
dent before mentioned, had not yet reached camp: I 
was therefore obliged to receive him in another and 
very small tent, not large enough for one half the 
officers who accompanied him. It began to rain too at 
the time, which added to my dilemma. However, 
there were other tents pitched, in which these gentle- 
men took refuge. General Blanco again spoke of our 
common enemy, the Apaches, and of operations against 
them. He recommended that the American troops 
should attack them north of the Gila, while the Mexi- 
cans should receive them as they came south for. 
refuge. I told him that my views agreed with those 
he had expressed, and that I had suggested a simt- 
lar plan of operation to the United States government 
in a recent dispatch sent from California. 
The General tendered me the use of his black- 
smith’s shop, and any other facilities I required to 
repair my broken wagons; of which I was very glad to 
avail myself, although we found it difficult to obtain 
apiece of wood for anew tongue. My little wagon also 
wanted repairs, and some of the animals required 
shoeing. There was, therefore, no alternative but to . 
remain here a day or two. I would: have regretted 
this delay more, had not the grass been so good that 
I believed the mules would be benefited by it. Jn 
the evening the rain set in hard, and continued during 
the night. But we were now in good tents, with 
water, grass, and wood atound us, so that we had no 
cause for complaint. 
