Narrative of the Texan Santa Fé expedition. Containing a description of a tour through Texas. With an account of the ... capture of the Texans and their march, as prisoners, to the City of Mexico

Front matter

' C A M1IP IB m. I '■ ' ■ K IBUIlFlFi NARRATIVE OF THE TEXAN SANTA FE EXPEDITION COMPRISING A DESCRIPTION OF A TOUR THROUGH TEXAS, AND ACROSS THE GREAT SOUTHWESTERN PRAIRIES, THE CAMANCHE AND CAYGUA HUNTING-GROUNDS, WITH AN ACCOUNT OF THE SUFFERINGS FROM WANT OF FOOD, LOSSES FROM HOSTILE INDIANS, AND FINAL CAPTURE OF THE TEXANS. AND THEIR MARCH, AS PRISONERS, TO THE CITY OF MEXICO. WITH ILLUSTRATIONS AND A MAP. BY GEO. WILKINS KENDALL. IN TWO VOLUMES. VOL. I. LONDON : WILEY & PUTNAM, 6, WATERLOO PLACE. 1844. [Entered at Stationers' Hall.']

Preface

A word with you, kind reader, before you commence the perusal of the following narrative. The object of the author has been to tell his story in a plain, unvarnished way — in the homely, every-day language which is at once understood by all. He will not, at this time, apologize for any errors of omission or any broken links in the principal chain of con nexion which may be noticed ; he trusts that all such faults will explain themselves in the progress of the narrative, as the difficulties he has had to encounter become apparent. For the description of the Spanish Missions in the neighbourhood of San Antonio de Bexar, which will be found in the early part of the third chapter, the author is principally in debted to Mr. Falconer, by whom full notes were taken of these old religious establishments.

The author also acknowl edges his indebtedness to Mr. F. for the names of the several places through which the Santa Fe prisoners passed on their march from San Miguel to the city of Mexico, together with the dates. For dates and events previous to the capture of the expedition he has been obliged to rely upon his own mem ory, and upon that of such of his companions as he has been able to see and converse with since his return to the United States. The main facts in the history of Don Manuel Armijo have been obtained from a gentleman who has known that petty tyrant and his career for nearly fifteen years. The author has only added such incidents as came under his personal obser vation.

PREFACE.

. In making up the map of the country between the Cross Timbers and the settlements of New Mexico, much informa tion has been obtained from Mr. Gregg, an intelligent merchant who has been for many years engaged in the Santa Fe trade, and also from Albert Pike, Esq., of Arkansas. Both these gentlemen have travelled over the immense prairies, stretching from the western limits of Louisiana and Arkansas to the Rocky Mountains, and both agree with the author in his remarks in relation to Red River. Of course, in the con struction of this map, much of what the Yankees term " guess work" has been resorted to ; but it will be found, in the main, correct. A few of the incidents in the first volume of this work, which appeared, in a series of rough sketches, in the New- Orleans Picayune of 1842, have since been stolen from that journal and incorporated with the " Narrative of Monsieur Vi olet," written by Captain Marryat and published in London during the fall of 1843.

The author has deemed this exposi tion necessary, lest some of his readers, unacquainted with the circumstances and who may peruse both books, should suspect him of having poached upon the wondrous tale of Violet. The larceny lies at the door of either the Captain or the Monsieur — a matter they must settle between themselves. Violet's " Narrative" also contains an attack, directly im peaching the veracity of the author in the account he has given of the murder of Golpin. It may not be deemed a work of su pererogation for him simply to state, that this wanton attack is made up of deliberate falsehood. The time, place, and manner of the death of the unfortunate Texan, were precisely as the author has stated them : out of more than one hundred and eighty witnesses of the murder, many are still living to verify his account in every particular. In speaking of the manners, customs, institutions, and char-

PREFACE.

. III acter of the Mexicans, the author has simply related what came under his own observation ; he has censured where he considered that reproof should fall, has praised where he deemed commendation due. Should his strictures not meet the approval of the leading men of that country, the blame cannot attach to him ; for if the Mexican government, in its wisdom, saw fit to deny a friendly traveller the privilege of viewing aught save the darker shades of life while within the limits of that republic, it certainly cannot upbraid him for painting them in all their deformity. In whatever light a government or an individual may choose to " sit for a portrait," it is certainly the duty of every honest artist to give it with scrupulous fidelity. In commenting upon the weakness and inefficiency of his own government, as regards its external or foreign policy, the author has approached the subject with much reluctance.

American born and American at heart, he has always felt a just pride in the achievements of his countrymen, in their firm and untiring opposition to all usurpation and tyranny, and to every infringement upon their liberties. The people of the United States — the mass from whom all power emanates — although ever ready to sustain their rulers in the protection of the humblest of their countrymen while abroad, are too frequently kept in ignorance of the wrongs they suffer through the inattention of those who are bound to redress every en croachment upon their rights. Were it not that the exposure of errors and abuses is the only means of ensuring their cor rection, the author would shrink from lifting the curtain which conceals almost the only weak point in the administration of his government.

For proof of the correctness of his strictures he has only to refer to every American who has visited Mexico. The engravings which accompany this work demand a short

PREFACE.

. notice. The scene in the buffalo range— the " scamper" after those huge animals— is a truthful picture from the quick and fertile imagination of Chapman. Scenes of a similar nature were of almost daily occurrence while the Santa Fe pioneers were in the buffalo region, and the artist seems to have caught the spirit of the exciting chase. The " Incident upon the Prairies" is from a design by Casilear, and gives a faithful delineation of a wild and singular race. Both these engra vings are from the burin of Messrs. Jordan and Halpin, and need no commendation. The view of " Puente Nacional" is taken from Ward's work upon Mexico, the diligencia and the litera only added. The " City of Guanajuato" is from the same work, and gives a faithful view of the place : the author cannot say as much for the appearance of the Texan prisoners.

They did not ride thus far into the city, and to attempt to picture them with fidelity would be impossible. The en graving of the Mexican girls is adopted from Nebel, and is given to show the costume and one of the customs of the females of that country. Another word or two, and the author will throw himself upon the kindness of his reader. His attempt has been to in terest and amuse ; should it be thought that he has thrown too much levity amid scenes of suffering and of gloom, his excuse must be that he belongs rather to the school of laughing than crying philosophers — to a class who would rather see a smile upon the face of melancholy than a tear in the eye of mirth. CONTENTS or THE FIRST VOLUME.

Chapter I

Objects of the first Texan Santa Fe Expedition. — Determination to accompany it. — The Western Limits of Texas. — Her Claim to the Rio Grande. — Colonel Butler's contemplated Expedition to Santa Fe. — Causes of its Failure.— Preparations for joining the Texans. — Departure from New-Orleans. — Steam-ship New-York. — Captain Wright's Specific against Thirst. — Arrival at Galveston.— Frank Combs. — City of Houston. — Stories of old Hunters and Campaigners. — Houston Horse Jockeys. — Choice of an Animal. — Leave Houston for Austin. — Ladies on Horseback. — Race with a Thunder-shower. — Incidents upon the Road. — Arrival at Austin. — Mr. Falconer. — English Travellers. — Party to San Antonio made up. — Jim the Butcher sent to the Stable. — Mexican Mountain Pony. — His Mustaches, and Powers of Endurance Page 13

Chapter II

Leave Austin for San Antonio. — Prospects of a Shower. — Singular Conduct of Mat Small. — A regular Soaking. — Crossing the Colorado. — No Bottom for short-legged Animals. — Venison for Supper. — More of Mat Small. — Damp Lodgings. — Serenade of Wolves. — Meeting with old Friends. — The St. Mark's. — Head Springs. — Disturbance at Night.— Arrival of Friends from Austin. — Joumey towards San Antonio renewed. — Colonel Cooke in search of a Short Cut. — Encounter with a Texan War Party. — Hostile Indians about. — A Texan killed. — Mr. Falconer's Portrait taken while sitting upon a Mule. — Amusing Adventure. — More scared than hurt. — The Guadalupe. — The Salado. — Night Entry into San Antonio. — Yelping Curs. — Fun at a Fandango. — A Mexican Dance. — Monte. — Getting the Hang of the Game. — Return to Lodgings. — Comparative Merits of Floors. — Difference between Plank, Stone, and Earth. — Rough Life in Perspective. — Nothing after getting used to it 31

Chapter III

Description of San Antonio. — Fondness of the Women for Bathing. — Climate. — Irrigating Canals. — Fruits. — The old Spanish Missions.— Objects CONTENTS. VI for which they were constructed— The Alamo— Concepcion.— San Juan. —San Jose.— La Espada— Bowie and Crockett.— Church of San Antonio. —Anecdote of General Cos.— Mexican Merchants from the Rio Grande. — Return to Austin.— Incidents upon the Road.— A Texan Leather Stocking. —An Adventure— Out-tricking a Party of Indians— Another Night at the St. Mark's— Fruitless Chase after Camanches.— Hog-wallow Prairie.— Arrival at Camp.— More of the Camanches.— Plain Supper and good Appe tite.—Insight into Astronomy. — Once more at Austin. — A Fall in the Dark— Speculations while falling.— Broken Bones.— Dancing Days over, or the " Jig up." — Consolation under Misfortune . . . Page 35

Chapter IV

Visit from General Lamar— Preparations for a Start. — Pleasant Anticipations.— Northers.— Bright Side of the Picture. — Speculations as to the Reception of the Expedition at Santa Fe.— No Thoughts of Fighting the New- Mexicans. — Senor Navarro— A Jersey Wagon provided. — Departure from Austin.— Adieu to Civilization.— A modem Athens. — Its sudden Rise, and more sudden Fall. — President Lamar in Camp. — Arrival at the Brushy. — General Joy among the Pioneers. — Reviewed by the President. — Order of March. — Tricks of young Oxen. — Upsets. — Arrival at the San GabrieL — Camp Stories. — Opossum Creek. — Scene of a Fight with the Camanches. — Anecdote of two Brothers. — A night Storm. — Buffalo in Sight. — Petrifactions. — Stories of Buffalo. — A Youngster caught. — Methods of Hunting the Buffalo. — A regular Chase. — Buffalo on every Side. — Fitzgerald, and his Zeal. — Falconer among the Buffalo — Returns of Killed and Wounded. — Arrival at Little River. — Buffalo Calves in Camp. — Manner of taking them 63

Chapter V

Sending back for more Cattle. — Rations of Beef for each Man. — Idle Hours in Camp. — Annoying Insects. — Night Alarms. — Death of Lockridge.— A Dutchman shot at. — Improvident Waste of Provisions. — Game in our Vicinity.— Sickness of General McLeod — Once more on the Road. — Bird's Battle-ground.— A Visit from Mustangs.— The " White Steed of the Prairies."— Stories in relation to this Horse. — Cow Creek. — Plenty of Buffalo. — Repairing Wagons. — Profanity of the Teamsters. — Out of Water. — Fourth of July on the Prairies. — Celebration among the Clouds. — A troublesome Visiter. — Rattlesnakes and Tarantulas. — Death of Flint. — Crossing the Bosque — The Antelope, or Mountain Goat. — Simplicity of this Animal. — Another Branch of the Bosque. — Difficulty of crossing. More Swearing.— A Stampede !— Singular Effect of Fright upon Horses and Oxen. — Falconer's Horse at his Eccentricities. — A Private Stampede. —Laughable Antics. — Falconer's Philosophy CONTENTS. VII

Chapter VI

The Valley of Cedral Creek. — Singular Natural Road. — Another Delay- Arrival of General McLeod with additional Cattle. — The March resumed. — Bad Travelling. — Delicious Spring of Water. — Valley of the Brazos — Fondness of our Animals for its Waters. — Crossing the Brazos. — Prairie on Fire. — Out of Water again. — Sufferings of Man and Beast. — A cool Spring discovered. —Natural Bathing-tub. — Fresh Indian " Sign." — A recently-deserted Village. — Trick of a Wag. — The Camanche Peak.—" Seeing the Elephant." — The " Cross Timbers. "—Description of this singular Forest. — Arrival at Noland's River. — Destruction of our Tents. — The crossing of Noland's River. — Deserted Indian Village. — Latitude and Longitude taken. — In the Midst of our Troubles — Our last Day in the " Cross Timbers." — A gloomy Night. — Once more upon the open Prairie. — A hearty Meal. — Speculations as to the Route we had taken. — The Banks of Red River supposed to be visible Page 100

Chapter VII

Trail of the Chihuahua Traders — Causes of the Failure of that Enterprise. — A fresh Indian " Burn." — Dr. Whittaker lost. — Indian Dogs. — Their forlorn Appearance. — Exciting Scene. — An Indian Buffalo Chase. — Well rid of annoying Visiters. — Buffalo Meat for Dinner. — Pack of miserable Curs. — A recently-deserted Indian Camp. — Dr. Whittaker again among us. — A white Flag sent out. — Beautiful Camping-ground. — An Eclipse. — Once more on Horseback. — Singular Chase. — Both Parties mistaken. — A Soaking. — Carlos, a Mexican, joins the Spy Company. — Plausibility of his Stories. — The supposed Red River. — Parley with a Party of Wacoes. — Their Insolence. — Arrival at a Waco Village. — Its desertion by the Inhabitants. — Beautiful Location of the Town. — Its Houses and Corn-fields. — An Indian Musical Instrument — Speculations upon Love.— High State of Civilization of the Wacoes. — Causes of the Hostility of the Wacoes to the Texans. — Departure from the Village. — Brackish Water. — Fear of the Prairie Indians of Artillery. — Origin of this Fear . . . .120

Chapter VIII

Join the Spy Company. — Farther Speculations as regards Red River. — Advantages of travelling with the Spies. — Beautiful Streams and cool Arbours. — Visit from Mustangs. — A dashing wild Horse. — Different Modes of catching Mustangs — Indians in Sight. — Guarding against a night Attack. — Description of Country. — Rough Travelling. — Arrival at a Fresh-water Stream.— Carlos thinks Himself at Home. — General Joy in Camp. — Scanty Rations.— A Shower and a Stampede. — Cross the supposed Red River again. — Scarcity of " Sign." — Mountains ahead. — A Labyrinth of Difficulties. — Broken Country.— A hunting Adventure. — Get lost upon the Prairie. — Hopelessness of my Situation. — Ruminations upon the Horrors of being Lost. — Fortunate Escape from Difficulty. — A Ride CONTENTS. through a. Rattlesnake Region.— Once more among my Friends. — Unpleas ant Dreams.— A Mesquit Prairie. — Carlos again " at Home." — Three of the Texans sent forward to the Settlements.— Carlos takes the Guidance of the Expedition.— A Buffalo Chase.— River seen to the South.— An Ad venture with Deer.— Great Waste of Powder and Ball. — A severe Case of the " Buck Ague."— Symptoms and general Appearance of that singular Disease Page 145

Chapter IX

Brackish Water. — Los Cuervos, or The Crows. — Carlos and his Speculations. — Stream on our Left visited.— Opinion of " Old Paint."— Startling Surmises. — No Water. — Endurance of the Mule. — Singular Valley. — Water seen in the Distance. — Perilous Descent of a Bluff. — Arrival at the River.— More Brackish Water. — An Alarm. — Fire in Camp. — Terrific Spread of the Flames. — Explosion of Cartridges. — Night Ascent of the Bluffs. — Ravages of the Fire. — Extent of our Loss. — Magnificent night Scene. — Our Camp by Daylight.— Coffee too much bumed. — Compelled to fall back upon First Principles. — Again on the March. — Intolerable Suffering from Thirst. — A Beautiful Camp. — Disappearance of Carlos and Brignoli. — Horrors of our Situation. — Lost, and without a Guide upon the Prairies. — Shower on the Espy Principle. — Party sent out to Explore. — Rough Travelling. — Gloomy Prospects. — Return to Camp — Ten Miles for a Draught of Water. — "Doing" our Washing. — Company of Spies sent out. — Death of Doctor Brashear. —Bitter Water.— Rations reduced. — Sufferings now commencing. — Return of one of the Spies. — Again on the March. — Visit to a Commonwealth of Prairie Dogs. — Description of these singular Animals .... 173

Chapter X

A Meal of Prairie Dogs. — Arrival at another brackish Water Camp. — Shower at Night, with fresh Water in the Morning. — Return of the Spy Company. — A regular " Northeaster." — Report of the Spies. — Disagreeable Bivouac. — Indians in Camp. — Horses stolen. — A bad Bargain. — Daring of the Indians. — Fine Weather again. — Once more on the Road. — Dog Towns. — Meeting with a Party of Indians. — Horse Meat far from being bad Eating. — Wolves about. — A dreary Desert. — Delicious fresh-water Stream. — Latitude and Longitude again taken. — Pleasant Prospects. — Again encompassed with Difficulties. — A Passage out found. — Steppes. — Mesquit Prairie,and Prairie Dogs. — Mountains in the Distance. — Singing Birds, and Thoughts of Home. — Delusive Hopes. — More Horses stolen. — Bed of Large River crossed. — Arrival at the Quintufue. — Large Indian Camp discovered.— Caygiias on all Sides. — Indian Provisions.— A Party sent out. — Farther Advance impossible. — A Night without Water. — Preparations for taking a back Track. — Exciting News. — Firing of Guns heard. — Lieutenant Hull and four Men killed by Caygiias.— A Chase after Indians.— Return to the Quintufue.— Determination to divide the Command. Description of the Caygiias _ I95 CONTENTS. IX

Chapter XI

Departure os the Advance in search of the Settlements. — Summit of the Steppe gained. — Level Prairie before us. — A lovely Scene. — Speculations in relation to Red River.— A Bear Chase. — Bruin noosed. — The March continued. — Sagacity of a Mule. — Arrival at a singular Chasm.— Impossibility of crossing. — A heavy Prairie Shower. — Appearance of our Men. — Description of the Chasm. — A Crossing found. — Loneliness of the Prairies. — Scarcity of Game — Begin to suffer Hunger. — Arrival at another awful Abyss. — Farther Difficulty in crossing. — Hunger increasing. — Singular Birds. — Mustangs and Antelopes. — Their exceeding Shyness. — Curlews. — A Buffalo descried. — Preparations for a Chase to the Death. — Tom Hancock and his Skill. — Endurance of Jim the Butcher. — Description of the Chase. — Poor Prospects of a Supper Page 215

Chapter XII

A successful Search. — The Buffalo brought to Bay. — Appearance of my Horse after the Chase. — Prospects of another Shower. — Adventure with a Rattlesnake in the Dark. — Fortunate Escape. — The Shower upon us. — Buffalo found in the Morning. — March resumed. — Swimming our Animals. — Singular Method of Cooking.— Wolves in our Vicinity. — Encounter with a Drove of Mustangs. — Excitement among us. — Mountains discovered ahead. — Leave the grand Prairie. — Singular Hills. — Compelled to abandon our Course. — Chances becoming Desperate. — Suffering and Starvation. — Large fresh-water Stream discovered. — Speculations as to its Name. — Mexican " Sign" seen. — More Remarks in relation to Red River. — Plum Patches. — Carlos and Brignoli seen. — -Their Sufferings. — The Texans driven to the greatest strait for Food. — An Anecdote. — Compelled to eat broken-down Horse Flesh. — A cold, raw Night. — Fairly among the Rocky Mountains. — A beautiful Valley. — A Feast of Catfish. — Arrival at the Angosturas. — Encounter with a Party of Mexicans. — Unwonted Excitement. — Matias sent back to the Command. — Advance towards the Settlements. — Farther Sufferings of the Texans.— Meet with an immense Herd of Sheep. — A Feast. — Dissertation on Starvation. — Mexican Shepherds and their Dogs 239

Chapter XIII

Farther Feasting. — Party sent to the Settlements. — Author accompanies it. — Objects of sending the Party ahead. — News respecting Howland and his Companions. — Encounter with Mexican Muleteers. — Their Fright at our Approach. — Farther Information in relation to Howland. — Manuel sent back. — Suspicious Horsemen seen. — Arrival at Anton Chico. — Consternation of the Inhabitants. — Scanty Raiment of the Women. — Confidence restored. — Description of Anton Chico. — Scantiness of the Furniture. — A Dinner under Cover. — Start for San Miguel. — Compelled to return. — A Night at Anton Chico. — Bad Colds, with worse Coughs to match.— A sus- I— A X CONTENTS. picious Visiter— Report that we were to be arrested.— Start again from Anton Chico.— Valuables concealed.— Arrival at Cuesta.— Commotion in the Village.— Our Party surrounded by Mexican Troops.— Apparent Frank ness of their Leader, Dimasio Salezar.— Our Arms taken from us.—Con sultation of Salezar and his Officers.— We are formed in Line and search ed.—Mexican Duplicity.— A trying Scene.— Prompt Interference of Vigil in saving our Lives.— We are marched towards San Miguel.— Kindness of the Women.— Don Jesus, and his Attempt to tie us.— Description of our Guard.— Puertecito.— More of the Women.— Arrival at San Miguel. — Meanness of the Alcalde and Kindness of the Priest.— Our first Night in Prison Page 269

Chapter XIV

Ordered to march towards Santa Fe— Departure from San Miguel. — Gloomy Anticipations. — Our Guard increased. — A Present from a Woman. — Meet with a Party of Mexican Troops. — Brutality of their Leader. — Lewis, Van Ness, and Fitzgerald tied with Cords. — Description of Don Jesus. — Large Bodies of Troops passed. — Their miserable Appointments. — Our first Interview with Governor Armijo. — His Reception. — Conduct of Lewis. — We are ordered back to San Miguel. — Armijo's last Command. — Carlos seen. — First Appearance upon a Donkey. — Antics of the Animal. — A heavy night Shower. — Once more at San Miguel.— Barbarous Execution of one of our Comrades. — We are ordered before the Governor. — An exciting Trial. — Howland condemned to Die. — Cruel Mode of Execution. — Noble Conduct of Howland. — Kindness of a young Priest. — Reflections upon our Situation. — Departure of Mexican Troops for Anton Chico. — News of Colonel Cooke and his Men. — Plans of Armijo. — Particulars of the Capture of Howland. — Description of Manuel Pino. — News of the Capture of our Friends at Anton Chico. — Great Rejoicings at San Miguel . . 291

Chapter XV

New Quarters. — Our Party taken before Armijo. — Reception by that Functionary. — His bombastic Account of the Soldiers of New Mexico. — Again taken to Prison. — Appearance of Armijo. — Description of our Prison. — Overrun with Chinches.— The Family next Door. — The Zapatero's Wife. — A singular Custom.— The Senora Francisca abandons her Paint.— Dress of the Females of New Mexico. — Its Scantiness. — Freaks of Fashion. Description of the Reboso and Mantilla. — Beauties of the Women of Mexico. — Kindness of the Girls of San Miguel. — Colonel Cooke's Men marched through San Miguel.— Lieutenant Lubbock's Account of the Surrender.— Agency of Lewis in the Affair.— Change of Quarters. — Prison Occupations.— Manner of passing our Time. — Chances of an Escape canvassed. —Arrival of Caravans from the United States. — We are not permitted Conversation with our Countrymen. — A seasonable Supply of Luxuries.

The Author assured of his personal Release.— A Mexican Loafer. — Tomas Bustamente— Employ him as our principal Agent. — Thomas Rowland — CONTENTS. XI His Release from Arrest. — Bustamente sent on a Mission to Lewis. — Its unsuccessful Result. — Thoughts upon Pipes. — Bustamente's Trickery found out. — Confidence lost in the Man. — Come to the Conclusion that the Mexicans will bear watching Page 313

Chapter XVI

Arrival of a Party of our Companions as Prisoners. — Great Excitement in San Miguel. — Recognition of our Friends, and their Departure. — Don Antonio Baca. — Attachment of one of his Daughters for a Texan Prisoner.— "Old Paint" Caldwell and Nine of his Men brought in Prisoners. — Still greater Excitement in San Miguel. — The Patron Saint brought from his Niche in the Church. — A Mexican Procession. — A funny Figure. — Programme of the Procession. — An old Priest with queer Spectacles. — A Pair of Musicians. — More of San Miguel, the Patron Saint. — End of the Procession. — Startling Information. — Bustamente informs us that all our Comrades have been taken Prisoners. — Great Rejoicing in San Miguel. — General McLeod and other Texans brought mto the Plaza. — Mr. Falconer. — Arrival of all the Prisoners. — Dreadful Appearance of the Texans. — Lewis arrives. — News that the Author is to be liberated. — Division of the Spoils. — Agency of Lewis in the Transaction. — A Visit from Lewis. — More of bis Treachery and Rascality. — His Departure for Santa Fe. — A veritable History of Don Manuel Armijo, from his Youth upward, being a short but faithful Narrative of his thieving, gambling, assassinating, and other base Acts and Propensities 334

Chapter XVII

Unrealized Hopes. — A Brood of unhatched Chickens. — We are quartered with our Companions. — Arrival of " Old Paint." — Joy at seeing the Veteran. — Another Meeting with Friends. — Stories of Suffering. — Liberated Prisoners again confined. — Armijo and Lewis. — Departure for the City of Mexico. — A long and gloomy March before us. — The Brute Salezar in Command. — Bustamente and the Women of San Miguel. — Causes of the Failure of the Santa Fe Expedition. — Arrival at a deserted Mission. — Sufferings of the Prisoners from Cold. — More of Salezar's Brutalities. — The dreary March continued.— Arrival at Pino's Rancho. — Farther Sufferings. — A cold Camping-ground. — Hard Fare. — Frostbitten Feet. — Horrible Threat of Salezar.— Santo Domingo.— Kindness of the Women. — San Felipe. — First Sight of the Rio Grande. — Algodones. — A Second "Black Hole of Calcutta." — Arrival at the Indian Village of Sandia. — A singular Rite. — Description of the Inhabitants.— Alameda.— Scene in an Oven. — Misery makes us acquainted with strange Bedfellows. — Sufferings on the Increase. — Bottoms of the Rio Grande; their Fertility.— Albuquerque in Sight. — Herons and Wild Geese. — A dashing Mexican Horseman. — Lieutenant Homsby abducted. — Arrival at Albuquerque. — The Family of Armijo. — Farther Kindness of the Women. — General Pike's Journal. — The Pretty Girl of Albuquerque CONTENTS.

Chapter XVIII

Los Placeres. — Another dark Leaf in Salezar's Character. — Women and Watermelons. — Reappearance of Lieutenant Hornsby. — His singular Story of Adventure.— The dashing Horseman and his gentle and generous Wife. — Arrival at Valencia. — Farther Sufferings of the Prisoners. — Kindness of an old Woman. — Death of Ernest. — An American Traveller. — Cruel Murder of McAllister.— Its Effect upon the Prisoners. — Casa Colorada. — A comfortable Camp. — Appearance of the Valley of the Rio Grande. — Uses of the Cotton-wood. — Salezar and the Alcaldes. — The Mexican Button Market. — Straits to which the Prisoners were driven. — A Story of Stump. — Magoffin's Wagons passed. — American Drivers. — Not allowed to hold Converse with them. — Arrival at Joya.— A Fandango. — Salezar Drunk. ■ — Conduct of the American Drivers on the Occasion. — Parrida. — Crossing the Rio Grande.— Arrival at Socorro. — A short Rest allowed. — Character of the Inhabitants. — A Party of Apaches. — Anecdote of the Priest of Socorro. — Head Chief of the Apaches. — His dignified Bearing. — Obsequiousness of Salezar. — Bosque de los Apaches. — Recrossing the Rio Grande. — The Camp of Fray Cristobal. — A Snow-storm at Night. — Appearance of the Prisoners by Daylight. — Colds and Coughs Page NARRATIVE OF THE FIRST TEXAN SANTA FE EXPEDITION.

Chapter I

Objects of the first Texan Santa Fe Expedition. — Determination to accompany it. — The Western Limits of Texas. — Her Claim to the Rio Grande. — Colonel Butler's contemplated Expedition to Santa Fe. — Causes of its Failure. — Preparations for joining the Texans. — Departure from New-Orleans. — Steam-ship New-York. — Captain Wright's Specific against Thirst. — Arrival at Galveston. — Frank Combs. — City of Houston. — Stories of old Hunters and Campaigners. — Houston Horse Jockeys. — Choice of an Animal. — Leave Houston for Austin. — Ladies on Horseback. — Race with a Thunder-shower. — Incidents upon the Road. — Arrival at Austin. — Mr. Falconer. — English Travellers. — Party to San Antonio made up. — Jim the Butcher sent to the Stable. — Mexican Mountain Pony. — His Mustaches, and Powers of Endurance.