136 . DELAWARE CREEK 
from among the trees; but when the “stars and 
stripes” were discovered curling in the breeze, a thrill 
ran through our veins which must be felt by those 
situated as we were to be understood. I had often 
read of the delight with which mariners, after a long 
absence, greet the sight of their national flag in some 
distant port; and this delight I now experienced. It 
seemed like a glimpse of home, and reminded us that 
we were approaching not only civilization, but coun- 
trymen and friends. We now descended from the 
plateau to the valley of the Rio Grande, after which a 
ride of half an hour brought us to the military post at 
El Paso del Norte. Here we were kindly received by 
the Commandant, Major Van Horne, who assigned such 
quarters for us all as the place afforded. 
Our journey from San Antonio had taken us thirty- 
three days, six of which we were detained on the 
way, making twenty-seven travelling days in all. | 
make my estimates from our rate of travelling, and 
from the distances on the map of Ford and Neighbors; 
but adopt the measurements made by Major Bryat 
with a viameter. Some of his first camps differed from 
mine, though our trails could not have been far apart 
between Fredericksburg and the head of the Concho 
River, where we both struck the Emigrant Road, which 
we followed to the Rio Grande. 
Miles. 
_ From San Antonio to Fredericksburg urd quae rere 
‘ Beppu Aaah ig ice cai ongicg 1 OO 
“ ud i Mg Creek : 3 net 14 
Llano Rivers, aie tx 
