We reached Corpus Christi just in time to avoid "absence without leave." We met no one not even an Indian -- during the remainder of our journey, except at San Patricio.

A new settlement had been started there in our absence of three weeks, induced possibly by the fact that there were houses already built, while the proximity of troops gave protection against the Indians.

On the evening of the first day out from Goliad we heard the most unearthly howling of wolves, directly in our front.

The prairie grass was tall and we could not see the beasts, but the sound indicated that they were near.

To my ear it appeared that there must have been enough of them to devour our party, horses and all, at a single meal.