The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1874-05-02
From New Mexico.
From stanton to Santa Fe.

The spring was only accessible by rocky
and preciptous trail or bridal path running
for half mile up the side OF the Gianas
mountains. About third of the way up are
four or five deserted and ruined log cabins,
which were built on 4 bare rocky point of
the mountain, so that they could not be ap
preached from any side by an enemy without
being exposed to fire from the cabins.
Here four men once stood the siege of twelve
Indians for three days; but being cut off
from the spring on the night of the third day
they made break for the cover of the woods.
One was killed in the attempt, but three sue
cecdcd in escaping, and after much suffering
reached settlcm ent on the Bonita.
The woods around this spring appeared to
be bountilully supplied with bear, as almost
bears track very strikingly resembles that
made by a moccasincd human foot; and here
could be seen tracks varying in size from a
number five to a twenty-five.
got away from this place about noon, and
hoped by hard and late driving to reach La
Ponta de Aqua that night, but again was
doomed to disappointment. travelled most
OF the day through rolling timber country
but about four o'clock came TO belt of sand
about three miles wide, through which was
a fearful pull; the sand being loose and dry,
the wagon sank over the tclloes When we
reached the opposite side the sun was just
setting; but as | mounted the wagon to con
tinuc the journey, discovered that had lost
Il valuable rubber blanket, which had slipped
off the load Surprising it had pulled off
but Il little way back, | left my team standing
in the road and started back on foot. had
to go the whole three miles before | found
the blanket, and when got back ii was long
after dark.
When thus away from my wagon | felt the
utter loneliness of my situation, for in tins
wilderness even the company of dumb brutes,
such as horses and dogs, is a great comfort
indeed.
This tramp of six miles through sand ankle
deep So REGARDED me that though | drove till
midnight, ! had to make another dry camp,
and next morning at ten o'clock drove into
the Mexican town of La Ponta de Aqua. 1t
being Sunday, put up at the hotel kept by
Il grey headed old Mexican, who assured me
that he had coed accommodations MunchoI
grass, muncho corn for caballos, (horsesJ
BUeno casa. | ordered dinner, and after
washing my face and hands in the bread pan,
and wiping them on one of the landlady's
aprons, l was ushercd INTO the dining room,
and seated at n table ON which was u meal
consisting OF fried eggs, tortiIlas and coffee,
sugar and salt were luNuries they did not
indulge in, and which | supplied from my
wagon stores. The supper was about the
same rs the dinner except that instead of
eggs We had black bean soup. In the even
ing was shown my sleeping apartment 1t.
was a small room with one window and one
door The floor was earth, rs were all the
rest of those in The house. The furniture con-
sisted of two cots with wooden mattresses /
and WOODEN pillows-thcrc were no blankets
or coverlidS. These it was expected the trav-
eler would furnish himself.
Monday morning before breakfast was \
drawn into q horse trade 10y a Mexican, who /
brought mp fine looking bay horse and I
wanted 20 know how would swap for one
Of my team. | considered myself pretty .
good Judge of horses. | examined him and
he was sound, and was told tnat I
hc worked well in the wagon, pillow. Sc., but
md not pU, him in harness.