414 EL PASO 
adjoining hills, pursued by six or eight of our party. 
The fleetness of their horses and their knowledge of the 
ground, gave them the advantage; so that after a pur- 
suit of a mile or two, we gave up the chase, fearing 
the train might encounter a larger body of Indians in 
ambush, for they scattered in all directions, and con- 
cealed themselves among the rocks or ravines of the 
hills. 
The spare animals were all stampeded and lost. They 
became frightened at the first charge, and, not being 
fastened, were rushing at the top of their speed over 
the plain, driven by a portion of the enemy, before we 
who were in advance could reach them. We lost ten 
mules and a valuable horse—and secured the horse, 
saddle, and arms of the Indian that was shot. Two of 
the wagons were pierced with bullets, and several 
arrows were found sticking in the wagons near the 
teamsters. 
We dug a grave by the side of the road, and de- 
posited in it the body of the unfortunate Mexican 
who was killed. This being done, we hastened away 
from the sad scene, the first and only occurrence of 
the kind that had befallen the Commission since it 
entered the field, now more than two years. 
We had proceeded but a few hundred yards when 
we noticed several heaps of stones, some of them sur- 
mounted by small crosses, to mark the spots where 
murders had been committed but a short time before, 
as appeared by their freshness, Fragments of clothing 
also lay around, showing that a severe contest had 
taken place. Fearing that the Indians might rally in 
larger. numbers and renew the attack, two soldiers 
