I began to reflect upon the real danger of our situation--corralled upon
a naked prairie, ten miles from camp, with no prospect of escape. I
knew that we could defend ourselves against twice the number of our
cowardly adversaries; they would never dare to come within range of our
rifles. But how to get out? how to cross the open plain? Fifty
infantry against four times that number of mounted men--lancers at
that--and not a bush to shelter the foot-soldier from the long spear and
the iron hoof!
The nearest _motte_ was half a mile off, and that another half a mile
from the edge of the woods. Even could the motte be reached by a
desperate run, it would be impossible to gain the woods, as the enemy
would certainly cordon our new position, and thus completely cut us off.
At present they had halted in a body about four hundred yards from the
corral; and, feeling secure of having us in a trap, most of them had
dismounted, and were running out their mustangs upon their lazos. It
was plainly their determination to take us by siege.
To add to our desperate circumstances, we discovered that there was not
a drop of water in the corral. The thirst that follows a fight had
exhausted the scanty supply of our canteens, and the heat was excessive.
As I was running over in my mind the perils of our position, my eye
rested upon Lincoln, who stood with his piece at a carry, his left hand
crossed over his breast, in the attitude of a soldier waiting to receive
orders.
"Well, Sergeant, what is it?" I inquired.
"Will yer allow me, Cap'n, ter take a couple o' files, and fetch in the
Dutchman? The men 'ud like ter put a sod upon him afore them thievin'
robbers kin git at him."
"Certainly. But will you be safe? He's at some distance from the
stockade."
"I don't think them fellers 'll kum down--they've had enuf o' it just
now. We'll run out quick, and the boys kin kiver us with their fire."
"Very well, then; set about it."
Lincoln returned to the company and selected four of the most active of
his men, with whom he proceeded towards the entrance. I ordered the
soldiers to throw themselves on that side of the inclosure, and cover
the party in case of an attack; but none was made. A movement was
visible among the Mexicans, as they perceived Lincoln and his party rush
out towards the body; but, seeing they would be too late to prevent them
from carrying it off, they wisely kept beyond the reach of the American
rifles.
The body of the German was brought into the inclosure and buried with
due ceremony, although his comrades believed that before many hours it
would be torn from its "warrior grave", dragged forth to feed the coyote
and vulture, and his bones left to whiten upon the naked prairie. Which
of us knew that it might not in a few hours be his own fate?
"Gentlemen," said I to my brother officers, as we came together, "can
you suggest any mode of escape?"
"Our only chance is to fight them where we stand. There are four to
one," replied Clayey.
"We have no other chance, Captain," said Oakes, with a shake of the
head.
"But it is not their intention to fight _us_. Their design is to starve
us. See! they are picketing their horses, knowing they can easily
overtake us if we attempt to leave the inclosure."
"Cannot we move in a hollow square?"
"But what is a hollow square of fifty men? and against four times that
number of cavalry, with lances and lazos? No, no; they would shiver it
with a single charge. Our only hope is that we may be able to hold out
until our absence from camp may bring a detachment to our relief."
"And why not send for it?" inquired the major, who had scarcely been
asked for his advice, but whose wits had been sharpened by the extremity
of his danger. "Why not send for a couple of regiments?"
"How are we to send, Major?" asked Clayley, looking on the major's
proposition as ridiculous under the circumstances. "Have you a pigeon
in your pocket?"
"Why?--how? There's Hercules runs like a hare; stick one of your
fellows in the saddle, and I'll warrant him to camp in an hour."
"You are right, Major," said I, catching at the major's proposal; "thank
you for the thought. If he could only pass that point in the woods! I
hate it, but it is our only chance."
The last sentence I muttered to myself.
"Why do you hate it, Captain?" inquired the major, who had overheard me.
"You might not understand my reasons, Major."
I was thinking upon the disgrace of being trapped as I was, and on my
first scout, too.
"Who will volunteer to ride an express to camp?" I inquired, addressing
the men.
Twenty of them leaped out simultaneously.
"Which of you remembers the course, that you could follow it in a
gallop?" I asked.
The Frenchman, Raoul, stood forth, touching his cap.
"I know a shorter one, Captain, by Mata Cordera."
"Ha! Raoul, you know the country. You are the man."
I now remembered that this man joined us at Sacrificios, just after the
landing of the expedition. He had been living in the country previous
to our arrival, and was well acquainted with it.
"Are you a good horseman?" I inquired.
"I have seen five years of cavalry service."
"True. Do you think you can pass them? They are nearly in your track."
"As we entered the prairie, Captain; but my route will lie past this
motte to the left."
"That will give you several points. Do not stop a moment after you have
mounted, or they will take the hint and intercept you."
"With the red horse there will be no danger, Captain."
"Leave your gun; take these pistols. Ha! you have a pair in the
holsters. See if they are loaded. These spurs--so--cut loose that
heavy piece from the saddle: the cloak, too; you must have nothing to
encumber you. When you come near the camp, leave your horse in the
chaparral. Give this to Colonel C."