50 SAN ANTONIO 
and animals. When there is a good number of wagons 
in a train, a very large inclosure may be formed, sufli- 
cient to contain the tents and all the animals; but my 
small train of seven vehicles was too limited for that: 
the wagons were therefore arranged in a semicircle, and 
the tents pitched along the base. After the animals had 
been ‘corralled,” a stout rope was drawn across in 
rear of the tents, to prevent their escaping should any 
get loose. When the ground would admit of a large 
corral, the animals were staked inside, but they were 
generally made fast by halters, or dardats, to the pole 
of the wagons for the night; and in this position, cor 
was fed to them when we had it. The following order 
was issued on leaving San Antonio: 
“ General Order for the government of the Advance Party 
of the U. S. Mexican Boundary Commission, on ts 
march from San Antonio to El Paso del Norte. 
“ As this portion of the Commission is entering @ 
country inhabited by warlike tribes of Indians, where 
no resources can be had beyond what the prairies sup 
ply, it is absolutely necessary that a _ observance 
be kept of the following order : 
“The same organization of the aes company 
formed at Indianola, will be continued to El Paso. 
‘“ Mr. Geo. 8. Peirce, commanding the cavalry, will 
act as master of the camp, detailing for the guard what 
ever force may be deemed noceenary for the safety of 
the train. 
‘Every member of the Commission, the teamster$ 
and cooks excepted, is expected to do guard duty. 
“The train and escort will keep as close togethe! — 
SS 
