r the roof and in through the windows; and Bent fell dead at the feet
of his family.

The family were left prisoners in the room without food, or clothing
except night dresses, all that day and the next night. At daybreak
friendly Mexicans brought food, and the women were taken away disguised
as squaws. Once, when searching Indians came to the house of the old
Mexican who had sheltered the family, the rescuer threw the searchers
off by setting his "squaws" to grinding meal on the kitchen floor. Kit
Carson, at this time, unfortunately happened to be in California. He was
the one man who could have restrained the Indians.

The Indians then proceeded down to the Arroyo Hondo to catch some mule
loads of whiskey and provisions, which were expected through the narrow
canyon. The mill where the mules had been unharnessed was surrounded that
night. The teamsters plugged up windows and loaded for the fray that
must come with daylight. Seven times the Indians attempted to rush an
assault. Each time, a rifle shot puffed from the mill and an Indian
leaped into the air to fall back dead. Then the whole body of 500
Indians poured a simultaneous volley into the mill. Two of the Americans
inside fell dead. A third was severely wounded. By the afternoon of the
second day, the Americans were without balls or powder. The Indians then
crept up and set fire to the mill. The Americans hid themselves among
the stampeding stock of the kraal. Night was coming on. The Pueblos were
crowding round in a circle. The surviving Americans opened the gates and
made a dash in the dark for the mountains. Two only escaped. The rest
were lanced and scalped as they ran; and in the loot of the teams, the
Indians are supposed to have secured some well-filled chests of gold
specie.

By January 23rd, General Price had marched out at the head of five
companies, from old Fort Marcy at Santa Fe for Taos. He had 353 men and
four cannon. You can see the marks yet on the old Mission at Taos, where
the cannon-balls battered down the adobe walls. The Indians did not wait
his coming. They met him 1,500 strong on the heights of a mesa at Santa
Cruz. The Indians made wild efforts to capture the wagons to the rear of
the artillery; but when an Indian rabble meets artillery, there is only
one possible issue. The Indians fled, leaving thirty-six killed and
forty-five wounded. No railway led up the Rio Grande at that early date;
and it was a more notable feat for the troops