Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1842-07-19

absence OF Drea0 stuHS increases the
appetite for sweets Of every descrip-
ton. Often, while living upon moth
ing but poor beef and not half enough
of that, did fallacious pictures of con-
dictionary stores in general md Nichols
in particular pass before my dreaming
fancies-the shadows of pies,puffs and
patties, of com6ts, candies and creams
were there, but The substance was far
away.
For two or three days we kept along
the edge ofthe belt, every attempt to
find passage through proving futile.
On one or two occasions distant fires
were seen upon the hills at night, but
we were unable to get a sight of the In
dians who were ehcamped by them.
On the night of the 23d July we
reached Noland's River where we en-
camped until the Goth. While upon
The prairies it was evident enough that
the wagons were too heavily loaded,
and at consultation Of the officers it
was now determined that a portion OF
the dry meat which was in a bad con-
dition should be left, the tents and tent
poles, with whatever baggage could
possibly be spared, burnt up, and that
after giving the wagons regular over
hauling we should resume our Journey.
This determination was carried out,
and we now had nothing to protect US
from rain or cold but our blankets and
the sky-a triAing circumstance, and
one that did not occasion US much in
convenience after we got use 10 it.
A crossing ofthe river was effected
on the Goth, and that day we made
some ten miles across a rascally posi-
oak, rocky country, passing large In
dian village which had been deserted
the fall previous. That night some
one along took, without leave. a Span
ish grammar | was studying land l new
err saw it again. The loss OF it annoy
ed me not little, as there was no book
store handy; and | was even uncharita-
Bile enough TO hope that the person
who borrowed it did not understand +;
word of the language and that he nigh
never get mouthful to eat until HI
asked for it good Spanish.
Beautiful Enc0mpment-S Spies sent on
Latitude and Longitude taken
Return Of SPjes-Journey throug,
the Cross TimJers-Sufcrings upot
tie Road-Camping soithom Foo
or Water, &c. 9r.
| Finding good water and grass, al
ter travelling six miles on the 9th q
July, we encamped in a small grow
bounded on all sides by a beautifr
prairie-and island az it were in tn
middle Of the Cross Timbers. Fror
this place a company of spies wer
sent out to look for the best and mos
expeditions outlet from the labyrinth. c
difficulties in which we were entan
gled.
At this place we remained on III
| 2Sth, awaiting the return Of the spies
The latitude and longitude were take
by Lieut.. Hull and MT. Falconer, and &C
cording TO their calculation we wer
upwards of 200 miles in a course near
ly north from Austin, and the distanc
to Santa Fe was close upon 500 mile
, the direction a little north of west
} The exact latitude and longitude
: made a memorandum of in my not
f book, together with description (
4 the country through which we passed
e the course each day, and the number
, miles we travelled. This book is no
, in the hands Of the Mexicans and as
5 matter Of course | am compelled {
] depend altogether upon memory
2 Circumstances difficult TO forget, how
ever, occurred every few days, II
e dates Of which were so strongly in
: pressed upon me that | still retain the
p and the intervening time lam still obi
ged to fill up the best way | can.
y The spies returned in the evenir
+ and reported that they had found
e route through a northwesterly dire
e tion--the only one which we cou
| possibly travel. They stated the di
lance TO be about twenty miles, Il
e country covered with brush and pc
n oaks, cut up with ravines, and witho
st water, but il was believed that by Sc
3. ding large fatigue party in advan
Y with shovels and axes, and by makil
y a very early start we could cut our W;
!. through in one day. M. Navarro;
$. though extremely lame, would not trr
ID himself in the little Jersey Wagon, b
is mounted horse and left me the Oh
ID passenger. Fitzgerald volunteered
5; drive the mules for this day only. E
is style was peculiarly Of the break-ne
IN order, but as we had to travel over
break-neck road the driving may
le set down as in perfect keeping.
~ Early on the morning of the %
st we set out upon our gloomy journe
i Before we had gone a mile two of t
m wagons upset while crossing de
lie gully, and it was noon before we
" what may be called a "lair start" I
IN road grew worse, and worse as we ;
rs vanced, our water was all exhaustt