hing by
this, for the man stated that he and his companions had found it
impossible to reach their point of destination, and hence they had
turned back. The manoeuvering on the part of the Mexicans, which we
have alluded to as consisting of making temporary stands on the hills,
and then changing their positions as the Americans drew near to them,
continued for the greater part of the day. Finally, as Gen. Kearney
and his men were approaching the water, where they, intended to camp,
and were not over five hundred yards from it, down came the Mexicans,
divided into two separate commands, for the purpose of making a
charge. They were at first warmly received by the Americans, who,
after a time, were obliged to give way to superior numbers; but, in
doing so, they retreated in good order to a hill about two hundred
yards to their left. Here they halted and determined to decide the
battle; but the wary Mexicans, on seeing the strength of the position
taken by their foes, declined to attack them and drew off to a
neighboring height, from which they commenced and maintained a
deadly fire on the Americans. Captains Emery and Turner, with all
the available dragoons, were sent to dislodge them. This they did in
splendid style, after a sharp encounter, and when their companions saw
them take possession of this position, General Kearney, with all
his wounded and luggage trains, joined them there. Here a permanent
resting-place, for the time being, was made. In fact, the men had
no other choice, as they were now pretty effectually used up from
fighting, severe loss and fatigue. The Americans found on this hill
water barely sufficient for their own use, and were obliged to exclude
the idea of sharing it with their animals. Although within sight of
abundance of this much-needed article, yet they did not dare to drive
the latter to it, for they were too weak to defend them from the
assaults of the enemy. The situation of Gen. Kearney's force was now
critical in the extreme; as, besides the dangers that surrounded him,
the men were reduced to living on their mules. That afternoon another
council of war was called, at which desperate efforts to be made for
immediate relief were discussed. When every spark of hope had almost
died within them, and when they were in a dilemma as to what still
remained for them to do, Kit Carson was found to act as the reader
has previously seen him act to parties almost similarly situated--the
right man in t