468 RIO FLORIDO 
many apologies for his straitened circumstances ; 
and he requested me to send him word, when the 
escort returned, how much I had paid them, together 
with my address, in order that he might refund me the 
money as soon as he should have it in his power. 
About three months before our arrival, this place 
was attacked by a band of a hundred and fifty Co- 
manches, and a large number of mules and cattle stolen. 
The soldiers turned out to rescue the animals; and a 
severe fight took place within a quarter of a mile of 
the town, resulting in the entire defeat of the Mexicans, 
with the loss of a Lieutenant Colonel and six other 
commissioned officers, together with thirty soldiers and 
a number of citizens. 
November 15th. Our journey was continued over 
similar plains to those passed yesterday. Mountains 
were dimly seen ata great distance to the east. There 
was more grass and less chapporal., The road was 
very smooth. In an arroyo, fifteen miles distant, we 
found water, which enabled us to refresh our animals 
and push on, reaching the hacienda of La Zarca* 
after sunset, and making thirty-two miles. 
This is now, as it ever has been, one of the largest 
cattle ranges in the State. The estate includes several 
villages, and has an extent of nearly a hundred miles. 
An hour or two before we reached it, we saw immense 
herds of cattle dotting the plain in every direction, 
luxuriating on the rich grass which here covers every 
portion of it. When Dr. Gregg was here, about twen- 
ty years ago, so great was the number of cattle on this 
* Zarca is a term applied to water, and means clear and pure. 
