San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1883-05-31
Written Tor tho rRsg PRkss.
"reminiscences Of n Texas Veteraii---Tho
Santa Fe Expedition, etc.
by @. ERHABD.
lCopyrigh,ed
XNIV.
KENpALL's NARRATIVE CONTINUED.

! KENpALL's NARRATIVE CONTINUED.
Bv the middle of the afternoon we were
all safely across after passing five or six
hours shut out from the world. Again we
found ourselves on level prairie, and on
looking back, after proceeding some hund-
red yards, not sign of the immense chasin
was visible. The plain we were then upon
was at least one hundred and fifty miles in
width, and the two chasms have mention
ed were the reservoirs of the heavy body of
rain which falls during the wet season, and
at the same time its conductors to the run
ming streams The prairie is undoubtedly
the largest in tn world and the canons are
in perfect keeping with the size of the prai-
rie. Whether the waters which run into
them sink into the earth, or find their way
to the Canadian, is matter of ncertainty,
but am inclined to think the latter to be
the fact.
At sund own we halted by the side of a
water hole, and encamped for the night.
Mo y of the men were now entirely out OF
| DTONlb OuS, NaliC ohopO Nho poiAA A-"N " NNS~NS
beef left. had saved it by stinting them
selves on the previous days. The worst OF
our sutferings had commenced.
At ali early hour next morning our march
was continued, the cravings of hunger by
this time being sensibly felt by ALL Small
droves of deer and antelope were seen
| | J, &l>o Ero,,rht from the wafar-
courses doubtless by the recent rains, and
toward night drove of mustangs was de-
scried upon roll of the prairie half mile
ahead of us. They were all extremely shy,
however, and although many rifles were
discharged not shot was successful-we
could not get near enough to kill one OF
them. Flocks of small Birds about the
size of, and in many respects resembling
the blackbird, travelled with us on this day 9
march, lowering along in front and rear of
the line, and so exceedingly tame that they
W juld alight on our hats and arms, and on
the necks and heads of our horses, without
manifestng the least sign of fear. One or
two of these singular birds were caught and
killed and found to be very fat and of good
flavor. That night we encamped near n
water hole, but very shallow Flocks OF
large curlews, one of the finest birds that
fy, were lowering and alighting on all sides.
Had been in possession of double barrel
Z ed shotgun, l would at least have had one
good meal.
About two o'clock the next morning we
saddled our horses and resumed our march,
iourneying still in @. northwest course by
the stars. On leaving the main camp OIL
the Quintrefue it was thought by all that
we could not bo moro than one hundred
miles from San Miguel. We had now moro
than made that distance, and we wero still
upon the immense prairie. To relieve our
selves of that horrible suspense we were in
to get SOmeUAere, in short, was our eager
ann, and hurried!y we pressed onward II
hope of finding relief. Our horses in thu
mean time, had comparatively suffered lest
than ourselves, for the grazing had beer
good but the hurried marches and Difficult
crossings of the chasms began to tell OF
them.
At sunrise we halted near small pond o
water to rest our animals and allow them Il
feed. Large white cranes were STANDING
about the pond, and locks of ducks wer'
swimming upon its surface. While there
large antelope was seen slowly approaching
now stopping, then walking few step
nearer, evidently inouisitiye as TO who O
rather what we were His curiosity hnall!
cost him his life, for although Captain Sut
ton the evening before, had given order
that not another shot should be fred with
out his consent, one of our men could no
resist the temptation Of bringing the ante
lone down. The man was arrested GnC
sent TO the rear for his d:sobelience OF or
ders. but have little doubt the excelen
meal he made, more than compensated TO
the disgrace.
The order Of Captain Sutton, that n
rife should be discharged, was an e1cellen
one. rs many shots had been wasted on th'
previous day; but the 6es: o-icer in exis
lance cannot restrain ha.f-starved maj
when he sees a hearty meal directly in hi
rrasp. A lumber of Entelopes we're seen L
the rei ghborhooi Of the water hole, but Z.
further attempt was made % shoot them.
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