The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1906-02-15

and with the sight went forth a shout
or JOY from the men. who then felt
confident that fresh water was not very
far distant. The trail had moreover
become much more distinct: this en-
cnuraGement, together with the hope Of
quenching their thirst, rainspirited the
soldiers. A few hours later another
pool was reached. but not Of that purity
which was desirable. The odor of the
waller was such as To oblige one 10
hold his breath whilst he nartook OF
the distasteful but refreshing draught
The cantcens We're. Notwithstanding
again filled, as we'll as the sleeves of
&li the waterproof coats we possessed.
Continuance of the Pursuit..
The pursuit was continued. and nj dark
we bivouacked after a forced march of
probably GO miles. Several OF the
horses began tn show, by this time,
great fatigue and ieg-wearinesS The
following morning the lofty peaks Of
the mountains near Devils River could
bs seen afar Off and all possible speed
was made as We recognized that the
line between the United States and
Mexico was not far distant About
noon we reached another stagnant wa
ter-hole near the foot OF a range OF hills
in proximity to the rugged and mouna
tafnous country about the head waters
of Devils River, along the banks ot
which stream passes the stage road
from San Antonio to El Paso Here
We discovered that another party Of
Indians had joined that OF which wA
were in pursuit. The deserted camp
Indicated that there were not less than
50 warriors In number They had eaters
one of their mules or horses. and this
sign, together with others about theiE
bivouac, bore clear evidence that the
party had become formidable. The trail
from this point was not only much
Ia l,,ts foI
ance. The arms Of the men We're there
fore carefully inspected, every prepara-
ton made for action, and the chase
quickly resumed. The horses We're
much fatigued, and some of them were
scarcely able to keep their places in
the line of march; consequently the
pursuit was not as rapid as il had been
the three days previous. The march
over the hills and up the mountains
increased moreover their leg-weariness
to such extent that about 3 p. m. L
abandoned a all hope of overtaking the
Indians before they crossed the Rio
Grande, which river was then not far
distant. This condition of the horses
and the thirst of the soldiers led me to
the determination to quit the trail and
go Immediately in search of fresh wa
ter. We were at this time well up on
the high and rough range of mountains
bordering on DEVILS River, and after
leaving the trail a distance of nigh one
mile, / perceived on a parallel range
about two miles off a few Indians wav-
ing a large white flag apparently
hoisted from mound. Orders from
Washington had been issued before I
left Fort Mason. notifying all United
States troops that a party Of Tonka-
ways were expected at the reservation,
near Camp Cooper. and that they
would in the event of meeting body
of our soldiers upon the frontier, raise
hit ,t.afn
to be allowed to pass unmolested. I
therefore became convinced that these
Indians We're either the Tonkaways or a
hostile body endeavoring by an infa-
nous ruse to throw me of my guard,
to entrap and massacre my entire party.
Forward I'm Line.
notwithstanding the condition of the
men and the horses, l determined to
pass over upon the ridge occupied by
the red men, move toward them, and
ascertain the meaning of this demon
stration. l had at this time but IL men
for action. the remainder having halted
in rear, owing to the inability of their
horses to advance further without rest.
moved across to the opposite ridge
and, as precautionary measure,
formed line and marched forward I'm
readiness to talk or fight. Every man
was armed with an Army rife and a
six-shoOter; a few of us had sabers and
two revolvers. whilst ] was armed
with double-barrel shotgun load
ed with buckshot, and two Navy
six-shooterS. AS we passed over
a mound about $50 or 200 yards dis
tant from the one occupied by friend
or foe-we knew not which-the flag,
seemingly sheet, was still waving
aloft and a few Indians were iounging
about with every appearance Of a party
desirouS of peace.
The ground in that vicinity was