of
subsistence, particularly beef, and saw many fresh cows hides, though
the Indians never shewed them any cows[186]. While the Spaniards were
proceeding on their march through this province, which they denominated
_De los Vaqueros_[187], or the tribe of cow-herds, they observed an
Indian approach from the skirts of a wood, and believing he might have
brought some message from the cacique, they permitted him to draw near.
But as soon as he was within reach, he levelled an arrow at five or six
soldiers who stood together, who fortunately escaped the danger by
stepping to a side; but the arrow flew among some Indian women who were
dressing provisions for their masters, pierced one of them quite
through, and wounded another in the breast, so that both died. On the
alarm being given, Baltasar Gallegos, who happened to be at hand,
overtook the Indian before he could get back to the wood, and slew him.

[Footnote 186: Unquestionably because they had none to produce. The beef
and the hides were assuredly acquired by hunting the wild American
buffaloe or bison.--E.]

[Footnote 187: In this rare instance our maps throw some light on the
text. Nearly in the latitude of the mouth of the Ohio, but 700 or 800
miles west from the Missisippi, there is a nation named the Apaches
Vaqueros, probably the same indicated in the text. The route thither
from the Missisippi leads through several tribes of savage Indians,
named Ozages, Paducas, and Kanzez.--E.]

Having travelled above thirty leagues westwards through this province of
the cow-herds, they discovered a ridge of vast mountains still farther
to the west, which from their own scouts and the information of the
Indians, they learnt were barren, desert, and unpeopled. They were also
informed, that if they bent their course to the right hand, they would
come into a desert country; but that to the left, though a longer way,
they would travel through inhabited and plentiful countries[188].
Considering what they had endured in their late march through the desert
intervening between Auche and the country of _Los Vaqueros_, they had
determined upon giving up their first plan of proceeding by land to
Mexico, thinking it better to return to the great river, and so proceed
to the sea pursuant to the plan originally proposed by their late
general. They accordingly took long marches to the _southwards_, taking
care not to offend the barbarians, yet they were teased by frequent
attacks while lea