ss
orders. Before proceeding with our own case, we will illustrate these
critical times. It was necessary to dispatch an expressman to Fort
Union. This post, from Fort Massachusetts, was one hundred and fifty
miles distant. The ever faithful Mexican, Armador Sanchez, was then
attached to Fort Massachusetts as a hunter and interpreter. On account
of extensive experience with the habits and customs of the hostile
Indians, Armador was selected to perform this dangerous mission. In
his usually quiet manner, this noble hunter soon prepared himself for
the undertaking. By using every precaution, he reached his point of
destination in safety. Having finished up his business, he instantly
began his homeward-bound journey. While on the rough trail which leads
from Fort Union to Taos, he came near being surprised and captured by
the enemy, under the following circumstances. Armador had selected
the night as the safest time to travel; and, as it was quite dark, in
order to pick out his way and prevent his growing sleepy by riding, he
traveled on foot and led his animal. He had made good progress on his
journey when suddenly his hunter-trained ear detected a noise on ahead
of him which sounded like the rolling of stones down the side of
the hills, over which the trail ran. He stopped and listened more
attentively. This time he was certain that he was not deceived, and
thought that he could hear voices singing Indian war songs. This was
convincing proof to him that danger was near at hand; therefore he
turned off from the trail and led his animal as high up the steep
hill as he could, where, fortunately, he found sufficient under-brush,
aided by the darkness of the night, to conceal himself from view.
Hardly had he taken up this position when the noises suddenly became
very distinct. The Indians, while following the trail, had made a turn
round a bluff and were almost beneath him. Now the hunter felt his
situation to be most precarious, for, should his mule bray, as these
animals are apt to do when others are approaching, his own life would
have to pay the forfeit; but, to prevent this, Armador held the mule's
nostrils firmly with his hands and otherwise drew off the animal's
attention by various gentle manipulations bestowed upon him. He
saw the outlines of the Indians as they passed along in single file
beneath him and estimated them to be at least twenty strong. Had these
savages known that a victim was so close by, they would hav