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Ea,·ly Exploration of Big Bend Country, 1683-I731
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ceeded in rounding up about one hundred and eighty. From here he dis- patched instructions to the camp for them to follow with the baggage and supplies to Las Cruces, where he would join them. From January 29 until February 4, Berroteran kept on the track of the runaway horses and mules and succeeded in rounding them all except twenty-two. He joined the main expedition at Las Cruces on this day, after receiving a letter from the Governor of Nueva Vizcaya, informing him that orders had been issued to the commander at Mapimi to hasten the departure of the detachment which he was to supply for the expedi- tion. He waited at Las.Cruces, on the Nazas River, until February 8, but seeing that the reenforcement and supplies that should come from Mapimi did not arrive, he resumed his march on this day, traveling as far as San Pedro, eight leagues hence. On February 9, he marched twelve leagues, but finding no water, he ordered the expedition to halt to allow the horses to rest. About midnight he started again and traveled as far as Laguna de Parras before sunrise, where he stayed until February 14. While here he sent out Indian scouts to locate a watering place for the next march. Upon their return, he decided to go to Aguachile. On the following day, therefore, he set out early in the morning, traveling to the northeast, until he reached Agua- chile Pass, ten leagues beyond his camp. Although there was no water here, he decided to stop and allow the horses to graze a while before proceeding. Early in the morning on February 16, he resumed the march and after traveling about eleven or twelve leagues to the north, he arrived at Aguachile. Here he found plenty of water and good pasturage for the horses. It was decided to stay in camp -u•hile scouts were sent to ascertain whether there was sufficient water at Cuatro Cienegas. The scouts returned on February 19 and reported water at San Marcos. They said they had found traces of hostile Indians who were conducting a drove of horses. The route they followed now lay to the northeast. The expedition went fifteen or sixteen leagues, but found no water. It was decided to halt and allow the horses to rest. Early next morning they continued the march and traveled about sixteen leagues, before they arrived at San Marcos, about eight o'clock in the evening. Here they found good water and plenty of good grass. An investigation of the Indian tracks disclosed that the savages were going in a direction opposite to that of the expe- dition and it was decided not to give them chase, as they had too much of a start and it would only tire the horses. Berroter,i.n now made his
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