Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1842-08-23

oil Strauss quickest WaltZes on a piano
AT first he could answer no question
coherenlly, but as he gradually found
that orr intentions were not TO eat him
up alive the color returned to his face
and be made out to give US satislacto-
ry answers.
The fellow stated that our approach
was we'll known TO the people, and the
greatest stir and excitement existed.
He cOrroborated the report that Row.
land had been arrested for his supposed
connection with the expedition, and al
so the story that Rowland, Baker and
Rosenbury were prisoners at Santa Fe,
although he asserted that they had the
liberty of the town. This Rowland is
brother OF the man whose name was
published in the Texan papers as a
commissioner in connection with Dry
den-a publication made without their
knowledge or consent as / have been
informed. After telling US that the
village of Anton Chico was some two
or three miles to our left the fellow de-
parted, apparently we'll satisfied that
we had let him off without his scalp.
1t was now thought advisable to send
word back TO the Commissioners of
what had been seen, and Manuel was
accordingly despatched with a note.
Mr.. Van Ness also sent back a num-
Der Of Gen. Lamar's proclamations
and some letters of introduction to diff
lerent individuals, fearing that he
mi ht be arrested and that blame might
fall upon innocent persons i'll case he
was searched and the papers found up
on him. After this we again started
towards Anton Chico.
A brisk ride of half an hour along
the banks of the Rio Pacos brought
US to small ranch or farm. At the
door Of miserable mud howell was an
old man and two or three women. 1t
was the first human habitation we had
seen for three months and poor as it
was, it was joyful sight TO all. The
women brought US out some warm tor
tillas, little wooden bowl of MEL, "a
species of Molasses made of the stalk
of the common Indian corn,) and a
large piece of fresh goats milk cheese.
The people seemed miserably poor
and ignorant, and the appearance of
strangers frightened them not little.
4 ride of another half hour brought
us in sight Of Anton Chico a village
located upon little hill and probably
containing one hundred and fifty inhab-
itants. At'this point a suspicious, pi-
ratical looking man, splendidly noun
ted upon a dashing black horse, pass
ed US. He was armed with lance,
a sword, and a double-barrelled gun,
and although he did not nod even at
our approach he stilIed eyed US close
ly. At a distance, on a slight rise,
another man similarly mounted and
armed was cantering along, and he too
was evidently watching our movements.
AS we approached the town all was
commolion. Women and children
were seen running in every Injection,
and climbing the houses. A large
mill for grinding corn stalks was deser-
ted instantly, and every thing plainly
denoted that our sudden appearance
had created the greatest CONSERVATION
and alarm. We rode steadily up to
the first house and asked man we met
if we could purchase some fodder fol-
our horses as we'll as a meal for our.
selves. Gradually the inhabitants
gained confidence, and in FIVE minutes
time we were surrounded by half a
hundred men, women and children,
some inviting US this way, others that
and all apparently anxious to serve us
The women and girls were very slight
| Iy clad, and on many Of their faces
noticed large, deep spots, apparent!
marks from their childhood, and disfg
uring them greatly. l afterwards as
certained that these marks were no
natural, as my readers will know as tn,
narrative progresses.
| We entered the largest house in th
place, the dirt floor and extremely scan
ty furniture Of which gave it a desolat
appearance. Not a chair or table, knit
or fork, do these people use. Thei
bed is a sheepskin thrown upon tn
hard ground-their clothing blanke
in which they roll themselves. A
the sun was about setting we left tn
place with the intention ofmaking SOM
six or eight miles towards San Miguel
but the badness of the road, whic
led over a high and rocky hill, com
PEELED us to return and ask for lodgin
! in the town. Knight here add that W
paid them their own terms for VIII;
we had of them-the men charging tn
most outrageous prices.
r Having tied our horses in front
= the door we took up one corner of tn
: room for our sleeping quarters. Abol
= thirty men, women and children occu
t pied the same apartment, and nearl
j every one Of them had bad cold an
: a most rascally cough to match. II
y children in particular appeared 10 b
n in commissions and choking to deaf
n half tho time while the accomDap