After several adventures and misadventures, during a march of several days to the southward, over a broken, hilly country, in which we lost the Spanish trace, we came to the broad, shallow channel of the Arkansas River. Here Wilkinson and a party consisting of Ballenger, four privates, and the two or three Osages who had continued with us thus far, were detached to the river for the purpose of exploring the unknown reaches of its lower course to its with the Mississippi. A canoe was hewn out for them from the trunk of a cottonwood tree, and another made of skins on a frame of branches, and they set off bravely downstream, though the river was at the time covered with drifting ice.  
Having seen our companions on their voyage through the almost unknown country to the southeast, we set off on our of the stream which they were . Despite a snowstorm and the ice in the river, we crossed and recrossed the channel, until at last we rediscovered the camps and trace of the Spaniards, which here indicated a force of six hundred soldiers.
 
After this we marched upstream, along the trace, for over two weeks, despite the and resulting from the weakness of the greater number of our horses, three or four of which had finally to be abandoned. Unfortunately we lacked both the skill and the means to replace the beasts from the of spirited wild horses which we frequently saw among the great droves of . Yet despite the of our pack train and the grim of being weather-bound for the Winter out on these plains, we felt assured that where the Spaniards had led the way we could follow, and so pushed on into the , ever farther and farther from home and civilization.
 
Since the second day after leaving the Pawnee Republic we had encountered none of the habitants of the prairies. But now at last we were again put on our guard by the discovery of occasional Indian signs along the river banks. As a precaution against falling into an ambuscade, Pike and I took to some little distance in advance of the party.
 
On the fifteenth of November, a day ever to us, we were riding along in this manner, when, two hours or so after noon, as we topped one of the numerous hills, the Lieutenant drew and off to the right.
 
"Indians?" I demanded, looking to the priming of my rifle.
 
"No," he replied. "Wait."
 
At the sight of his levelled spyglass, I too stared off a little to north of west, and at once made out what appeared to be a faint, half-luminous point of cloud. Its color was a silvery blue, much like that of the moon when seen in the daytime. Before I could utter the word that sprang to my lips, my friend me.
 
"'Tis a mountain!—the Mexican mountains, John!"
 
I caught the spyglass which he thrust out to me, and it upon that distant peak with burning eagerness. The Mexican mountains, the sierras of New Spain! Had we at last sighted the snowy of their nearest peak? Was this one of that sierra of which Alisanda had spoken, my Barrier of Rock, the Sangre de Cristo?
 
We rode on, too overcome to speak, held in between delight over our discovery and lest it should prove to be some illusion of cloud and light. But within another two miles there came an end to all doubt. Before us, from one of the higher hill-tops there stretched out along the western horizon an enormous barrier of snowy mountains, extending to the north and south farther than eye or glass could see. My heart gave a great leap at that wonderful sight. In my mind there was no longer the slightest doubt. I knew that before me upreared the barrier that I must cross to reach my lady.
 
Not until the men came up with us and burst into cheers for the great white mountains of Mexico did I rouse from my of Alisanda. Before me, as real as life, I had seen imaged her beautiful pale face, with the lips parting from the pearly teeth, and the black eyes gazing at me full from beneath the edge of the veiling mantilla. Such was the vision—whose reality I knew to be awaiting me somewhere south and west, beyond that snowy sierra. I drew in a full breath and joined in the loud cheering of my comrades.
 
While the air yet rang with the last of our wild cheers, our commander faced about, with upraised hand, and called in tones: "Men! we have , we have undergone dangers. We know not what dangers lie before us: Winter is at hand; our horses are fast failing; we are only for Summer travel. Yet what of all that? We have outfaced the Pawnees; we have traversed this vast desert; we have held to the track of the Spanish of our territories. Before our eyes uprear the unknown mountains of the West,—mountains upon which our countrymen have never before set eyes; of which no American has ever heard, unless it be the vague and misleading reports of the Spaniards. Men! we will not turn back with the goal of our toilsome marches in view!"
 
"No! no! Lead us on, sir!" shouted Sergeant , and every man caught up the cry: "Lead us on, sir! lead us on! No turning back!"
 
Our commander flushed, and his blue eyes sparkled. "Ah, my brave men! I was certain of your ! We will these mountains; we will explore the utmost boundaries of Louisiana; and if the Spaniards seek to check us—"
 
"We'll raise a little dust, sir!" cried young Sparks, flourishing his .
 
"Perhaps!" returned the Lieutenant, looking about at us with a shrewd smile. "If it comes to that, they will not find us backward. But do not count too much on . We are here, not to fight, but to explore the limits of the Territory."
 
"But, sir, should we fall in with the Spaniards?" ventured Meek.
 
"Should we meet a Spanish party, we may be invited to go in with them to Santa Fe. It would serve our purpose no little to be the guests of the Spanish authorities. Enough. Fall in! By to-morrow night we should be encamped at the foot of that grand peak."
 
He wheeled his horse about, and rode off again in front. I hastened to join him, my thought intent upon a from his last speech. When we had ridden ahead beyond earshot of the others, I put my thought into words.
 
"Montgomery," I said, "you have other orders from General Wilkinson than those given out. It is not I alone whose instructions are to attempt communications with the Spaniards."
 
"And if your guess is right?" he asked.
 
"God forbid!" I cried.
 
"What! I see no cause for dismay in the simple fact that I am to further your efforts to obtain information. I and the party will be in much less danger from the Spanish authorities............