e gallant general
would be obliged to drive them out. It was late in the afternoon when
the messenger with this document arrived in Fremont's camp; yet, he
found time the same day to pack up and fall back to a place where he
could fortify his position, as he felt confident that this was but
an empty excuse which the Mexican general had invented to prevent him
from penetrating further into the country. The Americans had hardly
got things in proper trim before the Mexican general, at the head
of several hundred troops, arrived and established his camp and
head-quarters within sight of the former, being deluded with the
belief that he would easily intimidate the exploring party. The
general commenced firing his cannon and making a great uproar. He had
all branches of the service with him, including artillery, infantry
and cavalry. In the intention of intimidation, however, he was greatly
mistaken, though the difference in numbers between the two parties
was in itself almost decisive, should they come to a conflict. Yet the
Mexicans had but poorly estimated the mettle contained in the American
commander and his forty men. They were ready, one and all, to sell
their lives dearly in a cause good as that before them. Unshaken in
their purpose, the little band of intrepid men remained in their camp
for the period of three days. The Americans who were then living at
Monterey sent several expressmen to their countrymen, warning them of
their danger, as they felt that the Mexicans could, without a
doubt, completely annihilate them. Fremont's reply was perfectly
characteristic of the man; he said he had done nothing to raise the
wrath of the Mexicans, who were now treating him disgracefully. He had
come to perform a duty, and could not leave without executing it. In
fact, neither himself nor his men would submit to be driven out of
the country. At the end of three days, Fremont saw that there was no
prospect of Gen. Castro's consummating his threat; and, considering
that he had sufficiently shown his willingness to fight if driven
to it, he therefore concluded to strike his camp and withdraw to the
Sacramento River. The party were not disturbed in their movements, and
on reaching this stream they followed it up until they came to Peter
Lawson's Trading Post, where Fremont intended, since he could not go
to Monterey without being too rash, to purchase the outfit for the
homeward-bound trip. The party remained at this post some ten da