San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1883-08-30
Written for the FRsE Pass.
"reminiscences of a Texas vetcran...The
Santa Fe Expedition, etc.
BY q. ENHAND.
Copyrighted
XXXV.
KENpALI's NARRATIVE CONTINUED.

KENpALLs NARRATIVE CONTINUED.
There were very few men with the i'm
mense herd of sheep, but in their stead a
large number of noble dogs, which appear
ed peculiarly gifted with the faculty of keep
ing them together There was no running
about, no barking or biting in their system
of tactics; on the contrary they were con-
tnually walking up and down like faithful
sentinels, on either side of the flock, and
should any sheep chance to stray from his
fellows, the dog on duty at that particular
post would walk gently up, take him care
fully by the ear and lead him back to the
fold. Not the least fear did the sheep mani
fest at the approach of these dogs; and
there was no occasion for it. They appear
ed to me n mongrel breed, somewhat re-
sembling, perhaps o cross of the New
foundland or st. Bernard species with the
larger mastiff They possessed mild, frank,
and open countenances, were indefatigable
in protecting their charge from wolves, and
from what could learn were extremely So
gacious.
The shepherds had crooks in their hands,
instruments I had often read of in poets
lays. The uses to which they were put took
away much of the romance / had associ-
ated with crooks and gentle shepherds. One
of the latter, whenever sheep has been
pointed out in the fock either to be killed
or for sale, thrusts the long, hooked stick
under the throat of the victim,
and holds it fast until its fellows have been
driven past on either side. The sheep is
then secured by graphing it's wool with the
nand-an operation from first to the last,
partaking more of the practical than the
poetic.
Now that we had found provisions in
olenty. we considered the dangers, the fa-
,igues, the delays, and the vexations of the
march as over, and bright were the antici-
'ations of the future. Every face was ami
mated with joy, every heart was filled with
badness. How different would have been
ur feelings had we known the sufferings
nd privations, the indignities, and the cruel
naltreatment We were yet to endure-the
errible fate that was awaiting us!
The morning after our feast we made an.
ther hearty meal of broiled mutton with
t0b con Lec]te, q mush compounded of -four
nd goats milk. The Mexicans finding the
exams excellent customers, and disposed to
ay the highest prices for anything in tho
hape of bread, had sent to their rancho. or
arm, during the night, distance of some
Telve miles, and supplied themselves abund-
ntly with -four. 4
1t was now determined by our principal
ficers, to send two men forward TO the
ontier town of San Miguel, for the purpose {
conferriDg with the authorities. W,P,
ewis, captain Of the artillery company. and
Gorge Van Ness, secretary of the eommis- \
Onerz. were detailed for this service. S
9th could speak Spanish, and the former
ijoyed in every way the confidence Of Col.
oOk. who often bsfriended him. In adj 4
IN TO verbal instructions, the young men c
IRE entrusted With letters 10 the alcalde, j
principal officer Of San Miguel, and both
structions and letters set for!I. .i.at large d
sding party Of Texans Was now hpproaeh- +"
8. that their intentions were IN ever Ey 4
cifc, and that the leaders Of Il, sdy e =
rty vSrs anxious 70 purchase = D. o :
aatity Of proTisiCns to Be sen. back o b