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Show JOUHNAL OF A VOYAGE self in the prairie, in which our work was situated. 'I'his I did, with 1ny sword on me only. \Vhcn I was introduced to l)on Ignatia Saltclo and Don Bartholemew Fernandez, two lieutenants, the former the commandant of thc> party. I gave them an invitation to enter the works, but requested the troops might remain where they were ; this was complied with, but when they came round and discovered that to enter, they were obliged to crawl on their bellies over a small draw-bridge, they appeared astonished but e~tercd without f urthcr hesitation. vVe first brcakfc1sted on some deer, n1eal, goose and some biscuit (which the civilized indian who came out as a spy) had brought me, After breakfast the comnlflnding officer addressed 1ne as follows : " Sir, the governor of " N cw Mexico, being informed you had missed your route, " ordered n1e to ofrer you, in his name, mules, horses, " money, or whatever you may stand in need of to con· " duct you to the head of Red river; as from Santa Fe to "where it is sometimes navigable, is eight days journey "and we have guides and the routes of the traders to " conduct us." " \Vhat, said I, (interrupting him) is not " this the Red river," " No sir ! the Rio del Norte." I immediately onlered my flag to be taken down and rolled up, feeling how sensibly I had committe<.l myself, in entering their territory, and was conscious that they rnust have positive ordc>rs to take me in. " lie now" added " that he had provided one hun" dred 1nules anJ horses, to take in my party and baggage " and how anxious his excellency was to sec me at Santa " ll'e." I stated to him, the absence of my sergeant, the situation of the balance of the party and that my orders would not justify my entering into the Spanish territory. lie urged still further until! began to fed myself a little heated in thu argument and told him in a perrmptory -,tyle, l TO THE SOUHCES OF THE AHKANSA \V, &c. ~ (JJ would not go until the arrival of my scrg "ant with the balance of the party. lie n'plied that ther was not the least re;, traint to be used, only that it was necessary his ex ellency should receive an explanation of my business on his frontier, but that I could go now, or on the arrival of my party; but that if none went in at present he should be obliged to send in for provisions, but that if I would now march, he would leave an Indian interpreter e1nd an , ·colt of dragoons to conduct the sergeant into Santa Fe. His mildnoss induced me to tell him that I would march, but must leave two men, in order to meet the sergeant and party, to in1>truct him as to coming in, as he never would come without a flght, if not orcler ... ·ll. I was induced to consent to the measure, by conviction, that the offic ·r had positive orders to bring me in, anJ as I haJ no orders to commit hostilities, and i 11decd had committed myself, although innocently, by \'iolating their territory, I conceived it would a1 pear b 'tter to shcw a will to come to an explanation than to be any \vay constrain~ J; yet my situation was so eligible, ~mJ 1 could so easily have put them at defiance, that it was with great re~ luctance I sullereJ all our labor to be lost without once trying the cflicacy of it. My compliance seemed to spread general joy through their party as soon as it was communicated, but it appeared to be different with my men, who \Vishcd to have a little dust (as they expressed tlH.;msel ves) and were likewise fearful of tr~achcry. lVI y determination being once taken, I ga vc penni - ~ion for the Spanish lieutenant's men to come to the out~ ide of the works, and some of mine to go out and see them ; when the hospitality and goodness uf the C1 ~ oJes anLl l\1ctifs began to mauifcst it~eu· by their producing |