Page:Travels in Mexico and life among the Mexicans.djvu/651

Rh "One point which has been omitted, and which the critics seem to dwell upon, is that no great battle was fought, and that none of Crook's command were killed. Had they read his report they would have seen that no such claim is advanced, but he modestly states that but nine Indians were killed; although there is hardly a man of the command who is not convinced that this estimate is too small. Crook's detractors note only the slight decrease of the enemy's forces, but lose sight of the fact that hundreds of innocent people are saved from future outrage, and an immense territory freed from raid and rapine."

At the time of the surrender of the stronghold, General Crook was assured by the Apache chief that the remainder of his band would follow him into United States territory and give themselves up, which the General confidently believed would be done. It was several months, however, before the recreant redskins made their appearance, having meanwhile secured, by means of bold and skilfully conducted raids, great herds of cattle and horses from Mexican haciendas. Then they hastened towards the reservation, where they could enjoy the protection of Uncle Samuel, and find a market for their stock.

It is believed that the object of the daring expedition is accomplished, and that, without bloodshed, General Crook has ousted the Apaches from the Sierras, and opened a new and virgin territory to the enterprise of the whites. Conjecturally, this region is stored with mineral treasure, and tradition points to numerous rich mines abandoned during two centuries of Apache depredations; and hundreds of prospecters are waiting for the moment when it shall be declared rid of savages, to put the truth of these rumors to the test.

It was late at night when I finally took horse again and departed from the Apache camp, with the weird music of Indian drums and the demoniac songs of the savages ringing in my ears. The night was cool and moonlit, such as compensates the dweller in this hot and arid region for his sufferings during the day, and the ride to Willcox, where we arrived at one in the morning, was quite enjoyable. With commendable enterprise, the keeper of the "Eureka House," desiring to satisfy the