226 EL PASO 
fresh water plants [alge] and insects flourishing in 
water at this elevated temperature. 
Just at the base of the hillock where the water 
accumulates, is a cotton-wood tree and a few bushes, 
where [ hitched my mule before going up to the spring. 
On returning to take her, I had loosened the lariat, 
and was in the act of mounting, when the mule took 
fright at something and rushed into the bushes. I 
either fell or was dragged off, and at the same 
time, the malicious beast struck out her hind legs, 
and hit me on my left shoulder. Several rushed to 
my aid, and my left arm was found to be injured. 
After lying upon the ground a short time, I managed, 
with assistance, to walk about two miles to the road, 
where my carriage took me up. We were now about 
eighteen miles from the Copper Mines, and the jolting 
of the carriage pained me exceedingly; but as no re- 
lief could be got until we reached there, I pushed on 
as fast as possible. We reached the Copper Mines at 
3 o'clock, p.m. Colonel Craig gave me a warm wel- 
come, and took me at once to his quarters, when I 
immediately retired to my cot. 
The following day my arm was examined by Doc- 
_ tors Bigelow and Webb of the Commission, and Dr. 
White of the army, who decided that there was a frac- 
ture near the shoulder. The arm was much swollen 
and discolored : 
I remained an invalid, confined to my cot or chair 
for two weeks, taking a little air towards the end of 
the second week. During this time my excellent and 
lamented friend, Colonel Craig, paid me great atten- 
tion. He watched me with the care of a mother, get 
