496 FIGHTS WITH THE APACHES. Book III. 
a beginning, had transferred to them five thousand sheep ; 
they had brought together the necessary number of shep- 
herds and labourers, male and female : and in this situation 
I now met my two countrymen, who welcomed me kindly, 
and treated me with a glass of Mezcal, or Agave spirits, 
the only refreshment they had to offer. One of our drivers, 
an educated young man from Weimar, was so much pleased 
that he resolved to remain here. I fear that the numerous 
Indian girls, collected in the courtyard of the building, and 
amongst whom were seen some very pretty faces, and many 
perfect figures, had a great share in this resolution : I hope 
that he will not have had cause to repent it. Life in these 
parts of the country is a dangerous existence. The two 
gentlemen told me that, soon after they had established 
themselves in this Hacienda, they were surprised by a band 
of Apaches, and how some fortunate circumstance had be- 
friended them. The Indians, who had in their rancheria 
talked over their predatory expedition, were so imprudent 
as to betray their project to a Mexican prisoner, who, on 
the departure of the band, escaped, and reached Tucson in 
safety. The Commandant of the Mexican garrison in that 
place, when informed of this fact, ordered his men to mount 
instantly, and go to the succour of the threatened hacienda, 
Just as the Apaches were descending the hill on one side, 
the Mexican troops appeared on the other; and, in the 
battle that ensued, — in which, as I afterwards heard, Mr. 
H. killed three Indians with his own hand, — the savages 
learnt such a lesson that they have ever since left the 
hacienda unmolested. 
Below Calabasas the valley shows an interesting forma- 
tion. The mountains on both sides recede somewhat, and 
the wide valley is filled with granite-hills, and horizontal 
layers of a conglomerate similar to that of San Pedro. 
