Page:History of the War between the United States and Mexico.djvu/152

126 de Castro was raising a large force to attack him He had but sixty-two men, and was ill prepared to encounter a body of troops superior to his own, and especially so for the reason that nothing of the kind had been anticipated.

Surprised and astonished at the treachery of the Mexican officer, and conscious that an attack had not been provoked on his part, either by his acts or his intentions, Captain Frémont took a position about thirty miles from Monterey, on the summit of a mountain range overlooking the town, Where he intrenched himself, and raised the American flag, determined, in self-defence, to resist every attempt to dislodge him. De Castro did not approach within attacking distance, but remained in the vicinity for several days, apparently threatening a movement on the position occupied by the little band. No attack having been made, Captain Frémont marched out with the intention of resuming his journey towards Oregon, on the 10th day of March. Supposing that there was no more cause for alarm, he discharged 3. number of his party, who wished to remain in the country, and refused to receive others in their stead, on account of his desire carefully to avoid arousing the prejudices or apprehensions of the Mexican authorities. Continuing his march by slow degrees, with de Castro following in his rear, accompanied by a force of near five hundred men; and the hostile Indians, excited by the latter, constantly hovering in his neighborhood, and harassing his command; he reached the Great Tlamath Lake, in the territory of Oregon, on the 15th of May. The deep snow still lingering on the summits of the Sierra Nevada, obstructed his further progress, and the Tlamath Indians continued to annoy him. While here a courier arrived, who had