The Scouting Expeditions of McCulloch's Texas Rangers; or, the Summer and Fall Campaign of the Army of the United States in Mexico--1846; including Skirmishes with the Mexicans, and an accurate detail of the Storming of Monterey; also the Daring Scouts at Buena Vista together with anecdotes, incidents, descriptions of country, and sketches of the lives of the celebrated partisan chiefs, Hays, McCulloch, and Walker. Page: 86
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86 HOW TO KEEP DRY.
coffee, and fine peaches for dessert, which were brought to us from
the neighbouring ranchos. The river here was very rapid and
obstructed by rocks, with steep, rugged banks. Several of the
boys went in bathing here, but the water was too turbid to be
pleasant. In the afternoon a heavy rain was seen coming up, and
hurried preparations were made to preserve our arms from the wet.
A young Ranger was seen taking off his clothes, which he carefully
rolled up in his blanket, and placing them at the foot of a
tree, covered the whole with his saddle, when the rain commenced
falling in torrents. He stood out in its midst, with perfect indifference,
while the rest of his comrades were wrapped in their
blankets, and had sought the shelter of the trees from the storm.
"What are you doing out there, Harry?" said one of his
messmates.
"Taking a shower-bath," said Harry.
"Why, your clothes will get all wet, you fool."
"No they won't, either," said Harry, " for they are wrapped
up in my blanket.
"And where is your blanket ?"
"Why, under my saddle, snug enough!" said Harry, with a
knowing look.
" Well, that beats me," said his messmate, bursting into a loud
laugh, in which all heartily joined; who ever would have thought
of that way to keep dry !"
The sun shortly after came out, but before we succeeded in drying
our blankets and clothes, the order was given to " saddle up," and
Harry was the only one in the company that rejoiced in having a
dry suit to his back. We rode on till 8, p. x., when we arrived at
Rancho Grande, where we encamped for the night. Here we
made fires and cooked supper, and bought corn from the Mexicans
for our horses, which were put into a coral, or cattle pen. There
were a great many women here, who did a good business, selling
us tortillas and goat's milk. They were very sulky, and only
wanted our money, showing that they took no pleasure to serve us.
We now felt secure from surprise, and after the guard had been
detailed, we spread our blankets around the pen, and lai down
for a good sleep, our saddles as usual serving for a pillow. It was
a fine moonlight night, and although we were very tired, yet the
merry laughter which rang on the still air, proved that fatigue
had no power to depress our spirits. While thus lying on our
blankets, smoking our pipes and cigars, a story was called for by
one of our mess, and the oldest Texian of our party was urged by
all to spin us a yarn. Clearing his throat, and replenishing his
pipe, the old fellow thus commenced:
" I don't know much about story-telling, boyS but I c tell you
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Reid, Samuel C., Jr. The Scouting Expeditions of McCulloch's Texas Rangers; or, the Summer and Fall Campaign of the Army of the United States in Mexico--1846; including Skirmishes with the Mexicans, and an accurate detail of the Storming of Monterey; also the Daring Scouts at Buena Vista together with anecdotes, incidents, descriptions of country, and sketches of the lives of the celebrated partisan chiefs, Hays, McCulloch, and Walker., book, 1859; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth38096/m1/90/: accessed May 1, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Austin History Center, Austin Public Library.