was, that many a brave warrior then and there drew
his last breath. However, the most of the Indians ran away, but were
pursued and a few were overtaken and shot.

The mountain on which the Apaches were concealed, as described in
this adventure with them, is devoid of trees, and hence, is what, in
western language is known as a "bald mountain." Its summit contained
a dry basin; which, besides the open lookout that the eminence
commanded, formed another inducement to these Indians in selecting it
for a hiding-place. The route from New Mexico to the United States,
which we have before spoken of as the Bent's Fort road, runs through,
or rather, close to, the Raton Mountains. On account of its being well
timbered, and offering somewhat of a protection, this route is often
chosen late in the autumn and early in the spring, as the safest for
caravans to travel. As a hunting district it cannot be surpassed,
especially in the seasons of the year above mentioned, as the game
collects there for shelter from cold and storms.

At night, a squad of men under command of Lieutenant R. Johnston, of
the First Regiment of United States Dragoons, secreted themselves in
the camp lately occupied by the Indians, in the expectancy that some
of them would return to reconnoitre and see what had been done there.
Along with this detachment, there was a man belonging to the spy
company who could counterfeit the call used by these Indians when they
wish to find each other and collect their forces. At about midnight,
when all was still, this peculiar-toned whistle was sounded, when
lo and behold! two warriors and two squaws came forth and commenced
groping about in the darkness. They were fired upon, but as no
accurate aim could be taken, only one of the men was mortally wounded.
There is no reason to doubt that there were more of these Indians
concealed in the neighborhood, but the report of the rifles and
the yells of their exposed brothers, caused them to cling to their
hiding-places; and, as the shades of night advanced, they thought it
was best to be on the move to distant parts. Hence, they escaped. The
Apaches, in this affray, parted with forty head of horses and also
their scanty allowance of camp equipage; for, by prosecuting the war,
they were fast becoming poverty stricken; but, to do them as much harm
as possible, all the articles that could be of any service to them
were collected and destroyed.

A spectator, not used to seeing India