64 ; FREDERICKSBURG 
soil. Weather oppressively hot, the thermometer at 
90° Fahrenheit. Rode eighteen miles and encamped 
on Hickory Creek, a small stream at any time, but now 
dried up. On a closer search, a few water-pools were 
found, which were sufficient for our purpose. 
As according to our maps there was a German set- 
tlement on the Llano about fifteen miles from our road, 
I determined to send a party there to purchase a load 
of corn for our animals. Mr. Thurber and three others 
constituted this party. It was small to enter an Indian 
country ; but being without wagons or other property, 
save their animals, and moreover being well armed, 
there was no danger of an open attack by the Indians. 
A surprise was all they had to fear. 
October 18th. Left camp at 6 o’clock; Mr. Thurber 
and his party at the same time striking off on a trail 
which ran in a northeasterly direction. Thermometer 
stood at 60°, with the wind northeast. The country 
assumed a more agreeable aspect than yesterday. Live- 
oaks prevailed, with a few mezquit; the former large 
and in thick groups. Passed several valleys more 
thickly wooded. Reached the Llano at 11 o’clock. 
Found two deserted houses, with out-buildings and 
inclosures. Were informed at Fredericksburg that — 
the Comanches had attacked this place about six 
months before, killed one man, and driven away the 
rest : it has not since been occupied. I could conceive 
no reason why a few settlers should come so far into 
the midst of an Indian country, when land equally good 
and cheap might have been had near a settlement. The 
situation, it is true, is a very fine one, on the banks of 
a clear and beautiful river, with water power in abul- 
