Page:Don Coronado through Kansas.djvu/71

60 60, DON CORONADO STARTS. to the ground. Each rider held his sword and other weapons hung in tibeir proper places at his side. Borne were arrayed in coats of maU, pcdished to shine like that of their general, whose gilded armor, with its brilliant trappings, was to bring him many hard blows a few months later. Others wore iron helmets or Tisored head pieces of the tough bull hide, for which the country has ever been famous. The foot- men carried cross bows and harquebuses, while some of them were armed with sword and shield. Looking on at these white men with their weapons of Euro- pean warfare was the crowd of native allies, armed with the club and bow of an Indian warrior. There were about 250 Spaniards on horseback, 70 foot soldiers, and over 300 warriors, with about 1,000 friendly Indians, who were servants and had charge of the baggage." As to baggage, etc., let us again quote from the old Spaniards, who recorded the facts at the time: "The next morning after the review, when aU. was off in duly organized companies, with their ban- ners flying, upwards of 1,000 servants and followers, black men and red men, went with them leading the spare horses, driving the pack animals, bearing the extra baggage of their masters, or herding the large droves of big and little cattle, of oxen and cows, sheep and swine, which had been collected by the viceroy to assure fresh food for the army on its march. There were more than 1,000 horses in the train of the force, besides the mules loaded with camp supplies and provisions, and carrying half a dozen pieces of light artillery, the pedreros or swivel guns of the period."