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

parsley ana lllS we sWdLoWeu Wild
the greatest avidity.
About the middle Of the afternoon
one Of our party returned with the
Joyful news that they had fallen in with
a herd Of no less than seventeen thou
sand sheep, and had succeeded in pur-
chasing a suliciency for the whole
command. A ride of an hour brought
US up to the spot, upon the Rio Gal
leadS.
Here a scene Of feasting ensued
which beggars description. We had
been thirteen days upon the road with
really not provisions enough for three,
and now that there was an abundance
our hungry men at once abandoned
tie nselves 10 the pleasure Of eating
No less than twenty fine fat sheep were
purchased, and every ramrod and stick
was soon graced with smoking ribs
and shoulders Many made them
selves sick by over-eating but to I'M
dertake to put the least restraint upon
the appetites Of halr-starved men is RI
diculous in the extreme. Had the
food been any thing but mutton l am
confident our men would have nearly
killed themselves.
There were few men along with this
immense herd of sheep; but in their
stead were lerge number Of noble
dogs, who appeared to be peculiarly
gifted with the facUlIy of keeping them
together. There was no running
about, no barking nor biting in their
system Of tactics but on the contrary
they would walk gently up to any sheep
that happened to stray from the fold,
take it carefully by the ear and lead
it back to the flock. Not the least
fear did the sheep manifest at the APP
proach Of these dogs and there was
no necessity for it. They appeared
to me to be a cross Of the Newfound-
land and St, Bernard species, Of very
large size and with frank, open coun-
tenanances, and from what | could
learn extremely sagacious.
The evening was spent in feasting,
mirth and revelry. The dangers and
Gatigues, the delays and vexations Of
the march we're now considered over,
and high were the anticipations Of the
future. Every face was animated with
JOY, every heart was filled with glad
ness. How different would have been
our feelings had we known the suffer
ings and prIvations we were yet TO en-
dure--the terrible fate that was await
ing US.
Oar Departure for San Miguel-Mcet.
ing Cjth Mathematician Statement
-Approach 10 Anton Chico-Saspi.
cioRs Character scen-Grcat CowmQ-
ton as zee aedrcd the Io,0a-A Nigh
farming, auth other matters.
The next morning, after eating E;
hearty breakfast Of roasted mutton anC
goats milk mush, it was determined by
Col. Cook and DR.. Brennan 10 senc
two men to San Miguel to confer witt
the authorities. Capt. w. p. Levi:
Of the artillery company was detailed
for this service Immediately, as he
spoke good Spanish and had the con
idence of Col. Cook who had offer
befriended him. Geo. Van Ness, the
Secretary Of the Commissioners, wa:
also sent along with letters TO the nj
calde or principal officer of the town
These letters set forth that a large ira
ding party of Texans was approaching
that their intentions were pacific, ant
that they were anxious TO procure foo
for the command for which fair price
would be paid. At the request ofth'
Commissioners Maj. Howard and Mr.
Fitzgerald, who were the heavies
owners of goods, accompanied Levi
and Van Ness, and as was in grea
haste to prosecute my journey throug
Mexico, | gathered up all my effects
packed them in leather panniers mad
for the purpose, placed them upon m
mule, and started off in company
This was on the 18th September, on
on parting with my friends | certainl
did not expect to see them in the Apr
following, in the city Of Mexico, an
in chains.
The shepherds from whom we ha
purchased our provisions had informe
as that the country was in arms again:
US, that Rowland and his party wer
prisoners at Santa Fe, and that a
| American named Rowland, merchar
at San Miguel, had also been imprl:
oned and his goods confscated by OF
der Of Gov. Armiio.-They told thes
stories in so many different ways, an
co0tradicted themselves so often Will
telling them, that but little con6denc
could be placed in their statements.
After getting directions as 10 oil
course towards the canine real or priI
; cipal road, for at this time we were Ell
= camped some distance from it, we sta
ted on our trip. A Mexican serva
we had brought from Austin, name
Manuel, accompanied Us. After str
king the road we proceeded brisk
+ along until nearly two o'clock, whC
10Th, - ID Jonl, =, unOn tu