COPPER MINES. 347 
’ . was left with the mules was missing; but whether he 
was killed or taken away prisoner, is not known. He 
was never seen or heard of after. 
The manner in which the theft was accomplished, 
was thus related to me by one of the herders: The 
animals were grazing in a little valley, surrounded by 
low pine trees and scrub oaks, when on a sudden a 
party of Indians who had approached unperceived 
among the trees, which were here very thick, rushed 
among the herd, set up a whoop that frightened the 
timid mules, and drove them off. The Indians were 
all mounted; and before the herdsmen could gain 
their saddles, they had the mules and horses on the 
full run before them. The herdsmen had no resource 
but to collect such animals as were left, and hastened 
with them to our camp. 
On the arrival of Colonel Graham, as mentioned 
above, arrangements were entered into as soon as pos- 
sible for going on with the work which had been so 
long delayed in consequence of his absence, and that 
of Mr. Gray. One astronomical and two surveying 
parties were organized for the survey of the Rio Grande, 
all of which were to be under the direction of Colonel 
Graham. The work was to be commenced at the 
Initial Point, and carried to the mouth of that river. 
The astronomical party for the survey of the Gila was 
placed in charge of Lieutenant A. W. Whipple; while 
that for the linear survey remained under the principal 
Surveyor, A. B. Gray, Esq.* With this organization 
* Although I have embraced in this narrative the particulars relat- 
ing to the establishment of the Initial Point, Ido not think it proper to 
