402 . RIO SAN PEDRO 
for five days, iidearorine to find a passage through. 
At the further end of ius valley into which we were 
descending, lay Santa Cruz. I now saw that if I had 
continued my course due south, as I first mtended on 
leaving the San Pedro camp, I should have struck this 
valley the second day; but by following the trail of 
the Mexican Commission, I was led about eight miles 
too far west. This brought us on the opposite side of 
the Sierra, and led us into the gorge from which there 
was no egress. In passing down the valley, we met 
Mr. Salazar and Mr. Henry C. Force, with a small 
party from Santa Cruz bound for the camp on the San 
Pedro, and’the Gila. They informed us of the safe 
arrival at Santa Cruz of the Mexican Commission, Dr. 
Webb and Mr. Gray. 
Before setting out this morning, two men started 
im advance to advise the mother of Inez of our ap- 
proach, and when within two miles of the town, we 
“— a small party approaching, partly on mules and 
par ly on foot, among whom were the fair captive’s 
mot! er Trothers, and uncle. As we drew nearer, Mr. 
Cre ony helped Inez from the saddle, when in perfect 
ecstacy she rushed to her mother’s arms. Words can- 
“not express the joy manifested on this happy occasion. 
Their screams were painful to hear. The mother 
could scarcely believe what she saw; and after every 
embrace and gush of tears, she withdrew her arms to 
gaze on the face of her child. I have witnessed many 
scenes on the stage, of the meeting of friends after a 
long separation, and have read me Mac sei ie 
aL 
tives of eae #4 interviews, but not em 
