New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-02-26
Mexican Raundnr, Commission.
Of The Providence Jon''"i'
VI. PAso psL NoaTE, Tsxas,

this place from other SOURCES ~ ~"
Ssssor 20 give you bret sketch IT our roo'7
from she time Of my last writing which believe
was dated from the head waters Of the Conco''
The morning after the date OF my last the '1'l'S
was called before daylight to start uPon 'o9 'oD7
talked Of and much dreaded Jor"@a4. Dc
the head of the Concbo and the river r''''
barren tract Of about 20 miles wi'"'u'
- THO ore .oooe holes where water may
be found after rain, bat IN THIS ory season VIZ
made no dependence upon them, out hiieu our
Lses md ,bsrrels from the brackish pool near
xbioh we encamped. We commenced our march
bv davbreak The road passed over slightly
updulating country, between high and naked
hills. which, receding as we went on, soon opened
to oar view broad and desoste region. Early
in the day,.a few herds Of antelOpes crossed our
path, or an occasional long cared rabbit ran OF at
our approach; these, with the exception OF the
proiyae dogs and few black birds, were the only
living thing we met. We marched on steadily
ALI day until about o'clock, when reaching asPos
that afforded little grass, stopped to rect the
animals. and to elbow them TO Craze awhile. We
cave each of them half bucketfull OF water from
the supply which we brought along.
While the animals were resting, we ate our
dinner A stupid cook having occasion to build
Are started it upon the prairie, In the midst OF
dry grass The wind was blowing strong, aud la
an instant the flames were rolling with wild fury
towards our train. glance showed our danger,
and each seized the first thing at hand and rushed
IN the rescue. Blankets. boards and coats were
used as weapons in the hery struggle and, by dlnt
of beating and stamping, we saved the wagons
from what seemed inevitable destruction. We
considered ourselves extremely fortunate that the
mules did not take fright at the ire and STAN
pede. A Prairie-fre a. night Is one of the grand
est things imaginable, but 1t 10 one OF those scenes
20 which distance lends enchantment. After TINS
narrow escape, a person was appointed to direct
the placing Of fires
Toward sunset we hitched up and resumed oar
march, travelling all night. At first our party
seemed disposed to make joke oil the matter
and enlivened the night march with songs aud stor-
les but as the small hours approached they De
came quiet, and all moved on in silence, which
was only broken by an occasional crack oil the
teamsters' whips. The teGnsters were so sleepy
and chilled, as even to forget TO administer the
customary torture. 1t wes long aud tedious
night; our tired animals crept slowly along the
dim light of the stars often being insufficient for
us to distinguish the road. Many kept them.
selves warm by walking, bptI was deprived Of
that privilege for il is one of the fixed principles
of nv mustang not to be led. The gray OF the
morning found us still moving on. Before US
rose two lofty mountains between which we were
TO psss As we neared them we saw by the In
cresspg light what seemed fortified citadel
with its bastions curtains and psrapets distinctly
marked~-it was difficult to persuade oneself that
IL was not work OF art. This was CQsne
Mountaia." AT sunrise, we stopped at its base
10 take breakfast.-With our remaining stock OF
water was prepared that greatest OF all refresh
ment to the prairie traveller, coffee. 1t was
amusing to see what change a hot draught OF
this beverage effected in our party-betore,
chilled, tired, and sullen they shivered around
the fires, or stretched themselves on the ground
TO sleep, but IS aeon as they drank their coffee,
they were as full of spirit and as fresh as the
morning previous.
Soon after sunriAe we entered 4" Castle Noun
tain Pass" The road runs zig gag down the
gorge which is more than mile In length, be-
tween walls frequently so close together, as TO
render the road impossible for wagons abreast
These rocky walls were covered with immense
cacti wherever the almost perpendicular surface
would afford them root hold. As We entered
the Pass we found among the debris OF the lime,
stone rock numerous fossil shells. We emerged
from the Pass into a dreary and sandy country,
with no signs of water to be seen. We had yet
10 reach the Rio Pecos before we could lind wa
ter and the march between the Pass andthe river
was the most difficult portion OF the J0raada The
road here was 90 excessively saady, that our
nearly exhausted animals could scarcely drag the
wagons through it. TheSun beat down with iery
force upon us, and We had not q drop OF water 70
relieve our own thirst or that Of the animals who
began to manifest desire for it in most plteous
criea During this portion OF the route we h'st
came into the proper chappdrdt and met the plants
pecuIiar to the fora Of Mexico in such quantities
IA to give peculiar character TO the landscape
The term chapperal, probably meaning plante-
ton of live oak, is applied to the growth OF shrub
berry which seems to be peculiar to the country
We have no similar growth at the North to wnlch
IL can be compared. One may travel Tor Gays
fraa
the whole country is covered with dense chap
psral 40 thick as to be almost impossible to man
or beast The shrubs composing these thckets
are the greater part excessively thorny. Ihe
principal are shrubby mez9uite, resin w0od or
acreasote plant" most disgusting, strong smell
ins shrub, koebleriai0, called jHRcO by the Aext
cans-ths Is armed at al points, every branch
let and twig being sharpened down to spear
and various species Of Yucca; these, particularly
the kind known as Spanish bayonet are truly for
midable, their stiff, sharp pointed leaves being
capable of infictiDg dangerous wound. These,
with various species Of the Prtcky pear and other
cscti. make up an alliance which one soon learns
20 treat with proper respect.
Soon after we emerged from the pass, objects
moving OF O distance were discoveredi party
was sent TO make out what they were, and they
soon returned 10 the train driving before them
three oxen in tolerable condition. Their appear
snce was hailed with great Joy, as 1t was more
thanthree weeks since we had had fresh meat in
camp During the morning march cloud of dust
was seen at a distance, in the direction oil our
course. This was regarded as indicating the
vicinity of body of Indians The alarm spread
through the traia and all was put in readiness to
receive an attack. Menwere detailed 60 assist Ia
carrolling the wagons, others were sent out as
scouts-all looked to their arms, and everything
WAS excitement for awhile. The scouts returned
and reported that they had seen no Indians, bat,
what was just then OF more Importance to us, that
thew had found the river This intelligence In'
duced Us to quicken our pace, and we In short
time found ourselves at the long looked for Peoos.
A singular river this, running with dark rapid
through various strata of clay aud sand, without
angle tree or any verdure such as usually marks
awatercourse. We were not aware Of our vi
IA ;e. VI III