he southern branch.

Night overtook us on a high ridge covered with loose, rounded
bowlders, over which it was necessary to lead the horses slowly, with
considerable clatter and some bruises to man and beast. The rough road
lasted until a considerable descent was made on the western side, and
ended on the edge of a grassy valley.

At this point Weaver advised that the horses should be left and the
command proceed on foot; for if the Indians were in camp at the rapids
it would be impossible to approach mounted without alarming them,
while if on foot the noise of the rushing water would cover the sound
of all movements.

Six men were sent back to a narrow defile to prevent the attacking
party from being surprised by the detachment of Indians which had
taken the northern trail, should they intend to rejoin their friends
at the rapids. Upon the recommendation of the scouts I determined to
defer making an attack until after three o'clock, for they assured me
that at that time the enemy would be feeling quite secure from pursuit
and be in their deepest sleep.

The horses were picketed, guards posted, and a lunch distributed, and
all not on duty lay down to wait. Time dragged slowly. About one
o'clock a noise on the opposite side of the creek attracted attention,
and Cooler crept away in the darkness to ascertain its cause. In half
an hour he returned with the information that the party of Mezcalleros
who had taken the northern trail had rejoined their friends and turned
their animals into the general herd. Upon learning this I despatched a
messenger to call in the six men sent to guard the defile.

When the time for starting arrived one man only was left with the
picketed horses, and the rest of us slipped down the slope to the
river-bottom, taking care not to rattle arms and equipments, and began
a slow advance along a narrow pathway, the borders of which were
lined with the spiked vegetation of the country.

Moving on for some time, I judged from the sound of flowing water that
we were nearing the camp, and, halting the party, sent the scouts to
reconnoitre. They returned with the information that the camp was
close at hand, and contained thirteen mat and skin covered tents, or
huts, and that the stolen stock and Indian ponies were grazing on a
flat just beyond. No guards were visible.

The flat about the encampment was covered with Spanish-bayonet,
soapweed, and cacti, with here and there a variety of palmetto, whi