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duennas； and the men on the other。 When the music struck up each man
asked the lady whom his eyes had already selected to dance with him；
and it was not etiquette for her to refuseno engagements being
allowed before the music began。 When the dance； which was generally
a long waltz； was over； he seated his partner； and then went to a
little counter at the end of the room and bought his dulcinea a plate
of the candies and sweetmeats provided。 Sometimes she accepted them；
but most generally pointed to her duenna or chaperon behind； who held
up her apron and caught the refreshments as they were slid into it
from the plate。 The greatest decorum was maintained at these dances；
primitively as they were conducted； and in a region so completely cut
off from the world； their influence was undoubtedly beneficial to a
considerable degree in softening the rough edges in a half…breed
population。
The inhabitants of this frontier of Mexico were strongly marked with
Indian characteristics； particularly with those of the Comanche type；
and as the wild Indian blood predominated； few of the physical traits
of the Spaniard remained among them； and outlawry was common。 The
Spanish conquerors had left on the northern border only their
graceful manners and their humility before the cross。 The sign of
Christianity was prominently placed at all important points on roads
or trails； and especially where any one had been killed； and as the
Comanche Indians； strong and warlike； had devastated northeastern
Mexico in past years； all along the border； on both sides of the Rio
Grande； the murderous effects of their raids were evidenced by
numberless crosses。 For more than a century forays had been made on
the settlements and towns by these bloodthirsty savages； and； the
Mexican Government being too weak to afford protection； property was
destroyed； the women and children carried off or ravished； and the
men compelled to look on in an agony of helplessness till relieved by
death。 During all this time； however； the forms and ceremonials of
religion； and the polite manners received from the Spaniards； were
retained； and reverence for the emblems of Christianity was always
uppermost in the mind of even the most ignorant。
CHAPTER III。
ORDERED TO FORT READING； CAL。A DANGEROUS UNDERTAKINGA RESCUED
SOLDIERDISCOVERING INDIANSPRIMITIVE FISHINGA DESERTED
VILLAGECAMPING OPPOSITE FORT VANCOUVER。
In November； 1854； I received my promotion to a second lieutenancy in
the Fourth Infantry； which was stationed in California and Oregon。 In
order to join my company at Fort Reading； California； I had to go to
New York as a starting point； and on arrival there； was placed on
duty； in May； 1855； in command of a detachment of recruits at
Bedloe's Island； intended for assignment to the regiments on the
Pacific coast。 I think there were on the island （now occupied by the
statue of Liberty Enlightening the World） about three hundred
recruits。 For a time I was the only officer with them； but shortly
before we started for California； Lieutenant Francis H。 Bates； of the
Fourth Infantry； was placed in command。 We embarked for the Pacific
coast in July； 1855； and made the journey without incident via the
Isthmus of Panama； in due time landing our men at Benecia Barracks；
above San Francisco。
》From this point I proceeded to join my company at Fort Reading； and
on reaching that post； found orders directing me to relieve
Lieutenant John B。 Hoodafterward well known as a distinguished
general in the Confederate service。 Lieutenant Hood was in command
of the personal mounted escort of Lieutenant R。 S。 Williamson； who
was charged with the duty of making such explorations and surveys as
would determine the practicability of connecting； by railroad； the
Sacramento Valley in California with the Columbia River in Oregon
Territory； either through the Willamette Valley； or （if this route
should prove to be impracticable） by the valley of the Des Chutes
River near the foot…slopes of the Cascade chain。 The survey was
being made in accordance with an act of Congress； which provided both
for ascertaining the must practicable and economical route for a
railroad between the Mississippi River and the Pacific Ocean； and for
military and geographical surveys west of the Mississippi River。
Fort Reading was the starting…point for this exploring expedition；
and there I arrived some four or five days after the party under
Lieutenant Williamson had begun its march。 His personal escort
numbered about sixty mounted men； made up of detachments from
companies of the First Dragoons； under command of Lieutenant Hood；
together with about one hundred men belonging to the Fourth Infantry
arid Third Artillery； commanded by Lieutenant Horatio Gates Gibson；
the present colonel of the Third United States Artillery。 Lieutenant
George Crooknow major…generalwas the quartermaster and commissary
of subsistence of the expedition。
The commanding officer at Fort Reading seemed reluctant to let me go
on to relieve Lieutenant Hood； as the country to be passed over was
infested by the Pit River Indians； known to be hostile to white
people and especially to small parties。 I was very anxious to
proceed； however； and willing to take the chances； so； consent being
finally obtained； I started with a corporal and two mounted men；
through a wild and uninhabited region； to overtake if possible
Lieutenant Williamson。 Being on horseback； and unencumbered by
luggage of any kind except blankets and a little hard bread； coffee
and smoking…tobacco； which were all carried on our riding animals； we
were sanguine of succeeding； for we traversed in one day fully the
distance made in three by Lieutenant Williamson's party on foot。
The first day we reached the base of Lassan's Butte； where I
determined to spend the night near an isolated cabin； or dugout； that
had been recently constructed by a hardy pioneer。 The wind was
blowing a disagreeable gale； which had begun early in the day。 This
made it desirable to locate our camp under the best cover we could
find； and I spent some little time in looking about for a
satisfactory place； but nothing better offered than a large fallen
tree； which lay in such a direction that by encamping on its lee side
we would be protected from the fury of the storm。 This spot was
therefore fixed upon； and preparation made for spending the night as
comfortably as the circumstances would permit。
After we had unsaddled I visited the cabin to inquire in regard to
the country ahead； and there found at first only a soldier of
Williamson's party； later the proprietor of the ranch appeared。 The
soldier had been left behind by the surveying party on account of
illness； with instructions to make his way back to Fort Reading as
best he could when he recovered。 His condition having greatly
improved； however； since he had been left； he now begged me in
beseeching te