A shady deal on mules

By Jim Warren

Charco Redondo , Texas

February 1, 1861

Dear Mom,

Well, as luck would have it, a drummer came along while we were at Rancho Trinidad. It is right on the Laredo-Corpus Christi road, and he was headed for Laredo with a fresh stock of goods just in by packet from New Orleans . I bought some paper and ink from him, so now I can finish the account of our trip to get horses from the “ Trinidads .”

After we found the wagon in the creek we had to go get the mules from the scene of the wreck to haul it out of the creek. The bank was too high where it was lodged so we hitched our ropes to it and let it float downstream a little further, where there was a smaller side-creek emptying into it. It reminded me of Dad telling about how his family traveled on the Erie Canal when they were headed west to settle the old homeplace. I don't think our mules were cut out for the work, though, like the draft horses on the Erie.

We finally got the wagon out of the creek only to find that both front wheels, the axle, and shaft were missing. I guess they are out in the Gulf of Mexico by now. Valentin chopped down a willow tree and tied two poles end-to-end, and then fastened it under the wagon's bed. Then he rigged up a sort of sling to fasten to the mules' collars, and away we went like a rag merchant with a two-wheeled cart! The Trinidads were afraid to ride in the contraption, but when they considered the option of walking the climbed on board anyway. They were ready to jump at any moment, but soon settled down and admitted that it rode better than the four-wheeled version. I think the long willow pole was so springy it helped take up the road shock.

Anyway, we finally arrived at Los Jaboncillos and they agreed to part with eight horses and two little red mules. The “ caporal ” or ranch foreman said they were sure top quality mules and would do anything except wash dishes. Valentin took me over to one side and said, “Watch this! The Trinidads are fixing to get slicked by the caporal .” He said to look at the mules' eyes and the way they used their ears to “look around” with. They were nothing but trouble from the start. But keep in mind the Trinidads where desperate to get their fields plowed for spring planting, so they struck a deal and we all started back home.

The Trinidads were riding five horses and driving three plus the two red mules. I might say that the Jaboncillos wouldn't part with any of their using horses, and the ones they sold were supposed to be “green broke.” Well, I guarantee the green part, but am in doubt abut the “broke.” It was one big rodeo all the way back to Trinidad. Every couple miles the little mules would break out of the pack and head down the back-trail towards home! When the green horses saw them running loose they would go to squealing and pitching and putting on a real show. We finally had to blindfold the mules and tied them and the loose horses nose-to-tail to keep them from running off. I'm sure that those two will high-tail it for the Jaboncillos the very first chance they get!

Well, I'm about to use up all my new supply of writing paper so I better quit. We finally made it to Trinidad and sure slept good that night! The next morning we struck out on the Laredo road. We made it to Palo Blanco Creek and are camped at a little lake on the creek called “Charco Redondo,” which means “round waterhole,” so Valentin says. We are going to keep to the Laredo road for a ways to see if we can cut the hostiles' sign or talk to someone who has some information about them.

Write real soon.

Your son,

Henry

( Jim Warren is an archaeologist living in George West .)