RIO MIEMBRES. 25 
and the Hanover Mines, is well garrisoned, and many other 
posts have been either reopened or newly established. The 
Apaches have learnt in most places that resistance is hope- 
less; and while constant warfare ever tends to lessen their 
numbers, they cease to increase in anything lke the same 
proportion ; game becomes scarcer and scarcer; and as they 
do not cultivate the soil, they now confine themselves to 
running off” stock, and to murdering any white man who, 
unprepared or alone, may fall into their power. 
Having surveyed Palmer’s Pass, the whole party moved 
forward across the plain drained by the Rio Miembres, 
towards the next great obstacle which barred our westward 
progress—the Burro Mountains. As the general direction of 
Palmer’s Pass is not west, but very nearly north-west, we 
came upon the plain on the western side of the mountains, 
some sixteen miles north of the western end of Cooke’s 
Cafion. 7 
After three and a half miles travel, a cafiada, or little 
valley covered with dry grass, took us, in four and a half 
miles more, straight down to the banks of the river, the 
descent in the nine miles being 573 feet. This bright and 
sparkling stream, filled with trout and beautifully shaded 
‘with cotton-woods and sycamore trees, appeared to our eyes 
perfection, for clear liquid water rippling over a pebble 
bed is a very rare sight in these regions. Yet, as I rode 
through the little stream, about up to my horse’s knees, 
d disturbed the wild ducks and widgeon which were here 
ry abundant, I could not help smiling as I thought of the 
ubble company by which some “ smart” Western speculators 
had made this spot memorable. These men thought they 
would found a city here. They bought the land—I do not 
=, know whether they ever saw it or not—and forthwith issued 
