STAMPEDE OF THE MULES.-ARRIVAL OF LIEUT. TIDBALL. 
77 
ness, with small rooms inserted within. Scattered around were timbers of pine, which resem¬ 
bled rafters. Two posts, about twelve feet in height, were still standing in good preservation. 
The camp-fires are bountifully supplied with fuel from piles of drift-wood of pine, such as 
grows in this country only upon mountain slopes. It must, therefore, have been brought by 
freshets from spurs of Sierra Mogoyon, among which the Colorado Chiquito takes its rise. 
December 10 —Camp 82.—Last night there occurred that dreaded calamity of the prairies, a 
stampede of the mules. The herd was quietly grazing, when suddenly a pony took fright; and, 
creating a panic among the animals, all fled. Their heavy tramping awoke us ; and, seizing 
arms, we rushed out, thinking that Indians were the cause of the disturbance. The night was 
so dark that nothing could be seen at a distance, and we followed the sound. At length a body 
of mules was overtaken and brought back. The whole herd was supposed to be recovered; but 
at daybreak it was found that many were missing. The ground about camp exhibited no trace 
of Indian footsteqis ; and at length it appeared that the animals had taken the back track at 
full run towards Zuhi. The swiftest were gone ; only the tired and lazy remained. But a 
party, without waiting for breakfast, was quickly mounted and in pursuit, hoping to overtake 
them before they might fall into the hands of the Indians. If not driven, it was not supposed 
the mules would run far without halting, but they did; and, as time passed without tidings, 
party after party followed the trail. For thirty-two miles they continued the pursuit; and 
then, overtaking the frightened horses that led the herd, turned them back. One of the mules 
had broken a leg in leaping an arroyo. Another had wearied herself out. The rest were 
driven to camp. 
December 12 —Camp 82.—We have been obliged to await here to allow our mules to recover 
from the fatigue of their stampede. This has enabled Lieut. Tidball to overtake us with the 
escort from Fort Defiance. He arrived this afternoon, bringing letters for many of us; a favor 
as welcome as it was unexpected. 
