394 INCIDENTS AT 
the dragoons in pursuit of a deer, we saw fresh Indian 
tracks; and not knowing but an arrow or a lance 
might be thrown at us from behind some rock or bush, 
we thought it best to return. 
The ‘Sierra de los Organos,” or Organ Mountains, are 
so named from their pinnacled summits and sides, which 
resemble the pipes of an organ. They are of a light 
gray granite, and rise to the height of 3000 feet above 
the river. The range runs north and south, and joins 
the El Paso Mountains, not far from the town of that 
name. The defiles are filled with large pines, and the 
more open valley, with live-oaks. Pine timber is here 
cut and drawn by mules to where it can be reached 
with wagons. 
From the place where we halted and lunched, 
I took a sketch of these mountains and of the defile 
through which I had passed. A small stream flowed 
near us, marked by a line of fine large oaks. Midway 
between this spot and the mountains rises a bold mass 
of white granite. 
In the afternoon Major Steen and Dr. Webb 
returned from the silver mine, bringing specimens of 
the ore. We then harnessed and saddled up for our 
return to the Fort, which we reached at nine o'clock. 
We passed a few days very agreeably at Fort Fill- 
more, partaking of the hospitalities of Colonel Miles 
and his officers. This visit, too, was rendered doubly 
agreeable, by the society of four American ladies, be- 
longing to the families of the officers, who had had the 
courage to accompany the army on its toilsome march 
of three months across the plains. These were the 
only American ladies I had met between San Antonio 
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