Page:Don Coronado through Kansas.djvu/394

377 AN AIXWiEVT. 877 mcnt; but before the foremost of the party, caaght up, 9 not ilnasaaJ: accident happened! to t^e insane lieutenant, which in aJIprobahilbj^: saved his life^ and brought hiim down a peg or tw6« forajl at once bte was thrown over his horse's head so spddenly that the thud on the ground fractured his arm, and intiie bargain his horse was lame, both of which were caused by Bafoieca stepping into a badger hole on the prairiei None of the other horsemen were able to overtake the now paiiic-stricken Indians, but several of the hindermost were treated with some pellets from the harquebuses, so they left a number scat- tered over the ground. When our party had cooled off they begui to take stock of. matters, and concluded it was impossible to overtake the three horses which had been spirited away, and the worst of all the best horse had gone lame, so it was concluded to remain at this camp for a few days to allow Alonso^s horse to rest and for treatment. It is a trying time for aU parties, for every man is getting tired of the constant travel, and anxious to get back to civilization. Most of the party have not heard from their folks for two years, and those who are situated like Cpronado, constantly are wishing how they would,like to take wings, and Alonso is sure of there being letters from home, and particularly from his loved one, but although these men are so anxious yet they are philbsoplucal, and make the best of their situation. The only thing that deters the troop from moving on is the lameness of Alonso's horse, so you may rest ajsured that it receives the