indescribable
torments of burning thirst for nearly thirty hours, had rendered us almost frantic with agony.
What tongue can tell the sweetness of the draught that first greeted our parched lips, at the termination of this painful interval? What mind can conceive the inestimable value of water, until destitution unfolds its real merits?
Hunger, one may forget in the sweet unconsciousness of sleep, or glut his appetite, meanwhile, upon the tasteless feasts of fancy, —but thirst, withering thirst, can never be forgotten while it continues, —it will burn as it to scorch the vitals and dry up the heart's blood!
Before leaving the sand-creek above alluded to, we passed several diminutive bottoms and vallons that assumed an air of fertility. In these, I noticed an abundance of the bread-root, and in the creek banks, two or three places gave indication of coal. The prevailing rock was sandstone and limestone. The country adjacent, with the exception of its being more tumulous, is much like the llanos peculiar to this region.
On striking the Cimarone we continued our march up its valley for some three days, and camped for a short time, to make a cache of our surplus baggage for the purpose of travelling with greater expedition.
The day preceding, however, afforded two incidents worthy of note. One was the re-appearance of our lost man, who, having found his way to this point, and knowing we must necessarily make it in our line of march, had been awaiting us for the past two days. He was hailed as one risen from the dead, and welcomed back to our midst.
But the expulsion of three for cowardice almost immediately followed the re-accession of one. Considerable dissatisfaction had existed for some time, in reference to our plan of operations. Several of the company had openly talked of desertion, and were using their earnest endeavors to persuade others to this course. As we approached the enemy's country, the spirit of insubordination showed itself with increased violence. The time and place, even, were pitched upon for raising the standard of rebellion against all orders and those who gave them. Affairs at length reached a crisis that loudly demanded a resort to some prompt measures to restore them to their proper equilibrium — an example must be had.
Accordingly the company was drawn up in line, when the articles subscribed to by each of its members were read. This done, the commanding officer addressed the male-contents in a few brief words, demanding which of those articles he had violated, — if neither, they were equally binding as at first;— then, alluding to the rumors that had reached his ears from various sources, he stated his readiness to release any one requesting it from further obligation, — but the discharge should be a dishonorable one, —a discharge for cowardice!
"Yes," said he, "COWARDICE! We are on the eve of entering the enemy's country, and the hearts of some doubtless begin to fail them. Texas wants no cowards to fight her battles! None but brave men and true, are worthy of that honor! Now, I repeat it. if any timorous spirit, —any pusillanimous heart, —any despicable poltroon, wishes his discharge, I stand ready to give it; let him step one pace in advance from the ranks and acknowledge
