San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1883-09-20
written for the Pass PREss.
"reminiscences OF a Texas Veteran...The
Santa Fe Expedition, etc.
BY @. ERHARD.
[Copyrighted.l
XXXVIII.
KENpALL's NARRATIVE CONTINUED.

The village of Anton Chico is built on
square, the houses fronting the inner side,
although there are entrances, protected by
strong doors on the outer. The houses are
of one story only, built Of adobes, aspecies
of sun dried brick, while the tops are fiat.
They had neither windows nor floors, and
in point of comfort and convenience are on
" one degree removed from the rudest wig
wan of the Indian. In case of attack from
savages continually lowering and committing
depredations upon the frontiers OF New
Mexico, these little hamlets serve as forts,
the Indians rarely pursuing the inhabitants
further than the outer walls, as they carry
on their warfare entirely on horseback.
This description of Anton Chico will ans
wer for majority of the ranches and small
or towns of New Mexico-their buildings
being all constructed of the same materials
and in the same manner.
We entered the largest house in the place.
1t had but two rooms, the earthen floor and
scanty furniture of which gave them pris-
on-like and desolate appearance. No chair
or table, knife or fork, did the occupants
possess, and we were given to understand
that we were in the house of I've first fami-
ly" of Anton Chico. We called for some
thing to eat, suggesting somewhat varied
'bill of fare' to be spread before US, for
which we manifested our Willingness to pay
the highest price; and our dinner consisted
-substantials and extras all enumerated
of t0rtillas, boiled eggs and meal and water.
In the meanwhile our animals outside were
faring infinitely better than ourselves for
they had an ample supply of corn and fod-
der-good Legitimate food for them, to which
they did ample justice.
The sun was about setting by the time we
had finished our meal; yet we determined
upon travelling some ten miles further to-
wards San Miguel that evening. After pay
ing the master of the house the most exor
bitant prices for every article we had pro
cured, and after his daughters had present
ed each of us with bundle of cigaritas o.
their own manufacture, we saddled ano
mounted our horses and again proceeded fol
San Miguel.
Immediately after leaving Anton Chico
we were compelled to climb high, steel
and rocky hill or mountain, and on reaching
its summit, by which time darkness hat
overtaken us, we found ourselves without
q road and completely lost in a grove o.
stunted pines and cedars. To advance wal
impossible, and we accordingly retraced oul
steps to the village we had left but short
time previous. Once more we secured ou
animals to a hedge fence, near the house
where we had procured our homely dinner
and after carrying our saddles, brides anc
and other equipments TO corner Of tht
room which had been appropriated to oul
use by the master, We rolled ourselves VI
in our blankets with the vain hope, as il wa
the first night we had passed under cove
for months, of enjoying a refreshing sleep
But no such goodsluck was in store for US
there was a closeness in the atmosphere &c
which we had long been strangers, the roou
Was occupied by some thirty men, vonler
aud children, exclusive of our own party,
and when ell we're provided with sleeping
room there was scarcely space enough on
tie hard earthen ioor for hat. The bed
Of our neighbOrs we're nothing bat sheep
skins thrown upon the fOOr-their clothinl
4 blanket which they spread over them
selves after lying down.