San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1883-09-06
Written TOR tho FRxE Pass.
"reminiscences Of a Texas Eeteran--.The
Santa Fe Expedition, etc.
BY G. ERHARD.
Copyrighted.
XXXYI
BY c. ERHARD.
lCopyrighted.l
XXXYI.
KENpALL's NARRATIVE CONTINUED.

| At tho request of Col. Cook and DR..
BRENNAN, two of the principal merchants,
Major Howard and Mr.. Fitzgerald accom-
panied Lewis and Van Ness, and as was in
great haste to prosecute my journey through
Mexico, gathered all my effects, packed
theln in leather panniers made for the pur-
pose, placed them upon my mule, and set
Off in company. This was on the 1lth of
September, and when 1 parted with my
friends, certainly did not expect to see
them for the first time in the City af Mexico
in chains.
The shepherds from whom we had pur-
chased our provisions had informed us that
Rowland and his company We're prisoners in
Santa Fe, and that an American named Row
land, merchant at San Miguel, had also
been imprisoned and his goods confscated
by order of the governor, Armigo. Yet
they told these stories in 80 many different
ways, and contradicted themselves so often
that little confidence could be placed in
them.
After having obtained directions as to our
course towards the canine real, or prin-
cipal road for our camp on the Rio
Gallinos which was some distance from it,
we proceeded on our way Mexican SER
want we had accompanying us. After reach
the main road we journeyed brisl1ly forward
until nearly two o'clock. An abrupt turn
now brought us suddenly upon two Mexi-
can muleteers, enjoying a quiet stestd,
while their mules were feeding close by
them. Our appearance frightened them
exceedingly, and as they quickly caught
their mules and commenced putting on
their packs, their extreme nervousness was
plainly visible. The color entirely left the
swarthy face of one these fellows, who for
once, certainly had the appearance of
white man; and as his trembling hands
were flying about from one part of his mule
to another fastening the pack, the move
ments could not have been more rapid had
he been executing 'The Battle of Prague"
or one of Strsuss's quickest and most diff
cult woltzes on the piano. At first he could
not answer question coherently, but as he |
gradually found that our intentions were not |
to eat him up alive, the color returned to
to his cheeks, his tongue became loose and
he was able to give us satisfactory answers.
The fellow said that our approach was
well known TO the inhabitants, and the
greatest stir and excitement existed in con-
sequence of Amigos informing them that
Intentions we're to burn, slay and destroy,
Is We went. He corroborated the report
hat Rowland had been arrested for his
connection with the expedition,
Is well as the story that Rowland, Baker
nd ROsenbury we're prisoners in Santa Fe,
although he asserted that they had the liber-
y Of the town After telling us that the
7iilAge Of Anton Chico vas' some two or
hree mile to our left. and little of the
nain road 70 San Miguel, the muleteer de-
rarted apparently well satisfied that We
.ad let him Of without taking his scalp.
Il Eas aDv deemed advisable TO send II
Ford hack 10 Our friends on the GAIlinas Of
That ne lad heard. and Manuel vas accord
nglT dispatched with . note detAilingevery-