Mar. 13th. Marched at seven o'clock; saw many deer. Halted at eleven o'clock and marched at four o'clock.[I'-24]
This day one of our horses threw a young woman and ran off, as is the habit of all Spanish horses, if by chance they throw their rider; many of the dragoons and Malgares pursued him. Being mounted on an elegant horse of Malgares', I joined in the chase, and notwithstanding their superior horsemanship overtook the horse, caught his bridle, and stopped him, when both of the horses were nearly at full speed. This act procured me the applause of the Spanish dragoons, and it is astonishing how much it operated on their good will.
Mar. 14th. Marched at ten o'clock, and halted at a mountain ["of the Friar Christopher," [p. 639], i. e., Fra Cristobal]; distance 10 miles.[I'-25] This is the point from which the road leaves the river for two days' journey bearing due south, the river here taking a turn southwest; by the river it is five days to where the roads meet. We marched at four o'clock, and eight miles below crossed the river to the west side; two mules fell in the water. Unfortunately, they carried the stores of Lieutenant Malgares, by which means we lost all our bread, an elegant assortment of biscuits, etc. Distance 18 miles.
Sunday, Mar. 15th. Marched at half past ten o'clock. Made 28 miles, the route rough and stony; course S. 20° W.[I'-26]
Mar. 16th. Marched at seven o'clock, and halted at twelve. Passed on the east side the Horse mountain, and the Mountain of the Dead.[I'-27] Came on a trail of the appearance of 200 horses, supposed to be the trail of an expedition from the province of Biscay, against the Indians.
Mar. 17th. Marched at ten o'clock, and at four in the afternoon crossed the river to the east side; saw several fresh Indian tracks; also, the trail of a large party of horses, supposed to be Spanish troops in pursuit of the Indians. Marched down the river 26 miles;[I'-28] fresh sign of Indians, also of a party of horses. Country mountainous on both sides of the river.
Mar. 18th. Marched down the river 26 miles;[I'-29] fresh sign of Indians, also of a party of horses. Country mountainous on both sides of the river.
Mar. 19th. Struck out east about three miles and fell in with the main road [continuing from the Jornada del Muerto], on a large flat prairie, which we left at the mountain of the Friar Christopher.[I'-30]