TO DELAWARE CREEK. 
113 
hardly expect to escape the Northers, and advised me 
if overtaken by one not to move, but encamp at once, 
and keep quiet until it had passed. But in determining 
to remain I 'thought it most prudent to send a small 
party in advance to El Paso, now about one hundred 
and sixty-five miles off, for assistance. 
I ordered another inventory to be made of our 
provisions, and found nothing remaining but a limited 
supply of hard bread and pork ; every thing else was 
gone. If we kept on, we might reach El Paso by 
parching the few remaining bushels of corn and taking 
an occasional mule steak ; but if compelled to remain 
here two or three days we should be reduced to a very 
short allowance. Messrs. Thurber, Moss, and Weems 
at once volunteered their services to go to El Paso. 
No time was lost therefore in fitting them out. They 
selected three of the hardiest riding animals ; put 
up four days’ provisions, which they put in bags 
and hung to their saddles ; fastened their blankets 
behind them ; and set off in the midst of the storm, 
two hours after it was determined to send them. One 
of the teamsters named Pratt, a very useful and 
energetic man, accompanied them. I gave them the 
following letter to Major Van Horne, commanding at 
El Paso: 
“Mexican Boundary Commission in Camp, 
“Delaware Creek, Kov. V, 1850. 
“ Sir : I reached this place on the afternoon of the 
5th instant with a portion of the United States Boundary 
Commission, having left the main body at San Antonio 
to follow immediately. My desire being to reach El 
VOL. I. — 8 
