96 
HORSE-HEAD CROSSING 
CHAPTEIl y. 
HORSE-HEAD CROSSING TO DELAWARE CREEK. 
Crossing of the Pecos — ^Narrow escape from a cold bath — Desolate region — 
Prize oxen — Stray mule — Populous biscuit — Toyah Creek — Travellers’ 
tokens — Rescue of lost mule — Dreariness and monotony of the Pecos — 
A horse’s somerset — Delaware Creek — Snow-storm, sport, and Erman’s 
Siberia — Mr. Thurber and others despatched to El Paso- — ^Letter to 
Major Van Horne. 
October 30th. After our fatiguing march of two 
days and one night without rest, we slept pretty late 
this morning ; even the expectation of a fine beefsteak 
for breakfast could hardly induce either officers or men 
to turn out. After breakfast, I examined the river with 
a view of crossing, intending to devote the day to it, 
and recruit our tired animals. Found the water at the 
Horse-head Crossing, which was a quarter of a mile 
from our encampment, to afford the greatest facilities. 
Here there was a bank about half the height of the 
main bank, to which there was an easy descent, and 
one equally so to the water. It is the place where 
other parties seem to have crossed, and hence rendered 
easy of access. I noticed a long line of horse or mule 
skulls placed along the bank, which probably gave it 
the name it bears. 
