Post by Blithian on May 18, 2005 1:47:49 GMT -5
Excerpt from the journal of
Capitàn Hernàn Cortès
translated from the Spanish
by Giacomo de Blithiano y Morini
12 Januar Anno Domini 1519
Today by the grace of God, we made good time on our inland march, in spite of a strange local event of nature. As we set out across a wide, dry plain, one of our native guides called our attention to a faint cloud of dust on the horizon. At first, I paid little attention to los Indios, for they are notoriously superstitious, however it soon became apparent that this dust-cloud was coming nearer to us with each passing minute.
Los Indios were becoming extremely agitated, pointing toward the cloud and shouting something in their foreign tongue which I of course did not, could not understand. As the cloud approached, we could now make out a sound very much like a million raindrops. Our horses and pack animals began to show nervousness. At last one of our party shouted something in Spanish, “Estampeda! Stampede!”
Fortunately, we were moving along a small natural ditch which was deep enough in most places for the expedition, including the horses and pack animals, to find shelter. And, in fact, we had no sooner hunkered down in the ditch when the first of the creatures leaped over us, followed by many more, perhaps thousnds.
I had never before seen such animals as these. Not at all the size of cattle or horses, nor like the "bulls" (Bison) encountered by DeSoto, but very small. It seemed hours before the last one passed over us. Many of us stood up to watch the thousands of animals as they stampeded away from us into the distance. I asked one of los Indios what kind of creatures they were.
“We fear them greatly when they all move together like that,” he replied, “They are known to us as the fearsome chihuahua herds.”
The next day we were met by a contingent of hostile natives and a tremendous battle was fought and won. But I will never forget the sight and sound of the great stampede of the wild chihuahuas.
+In Nomine Patri et Fili et Spiritu Sancti, Amen.+
Capitàn Hernàn Cortès
translated from the Spanish
by Giacomo de Blithiano y Morini
12 Januar Anno Domini 1519
Today by the grace of God, we made good time on our inland march, in spite of a strange local event of nature. As we set out across a wide, dry plain, one of our native guides called our attention to a faint cloud of dust on the horizon. At first, I paid little attention to los Indios, for they are notoriously superstitious, however it soon became apparent that this dust-cloud was coming nearer to us with each passing minute.
Los Indios were becoming extremely agitated, pointing toward the cloud and shouting something in their foreign tongue which I of course did not, could not understand. As the cloud approached, we could now make out a sound very much like a million raindrops. Our horses and pack animals began to show nervousness. At last one of our party shouted something in Spanish, “Estampeda! Stampede!”
Fortunately, we were moving along a small natural ditch which was deep enough in most places for the expedition, including the horses and pack animals, to find shelter. And, in fact, we had no sooner hunkered down in the ditch when the first of the creatures leaped over us, followed by many more, perhaps thousnds.
I had never before seen such animals as these. Not at all the size of cattle or horses, nor like the "bulls" (Bison) encountered by DeSoto, but very small. It seemed hours before the last one passed over us. Many of us stood up to watch the thousands of animals as they stampeded away from us into the distance. I asked one of los Indios what kind of creatures they were.
“We fear them greatly when they all move together like that,” he replied, “They are known to us as the fearsome chihuahua herds.”
The next day we were met by a contingent of hostile natives and a tremendous battle was fought and won. But I will never forget the sight and sound of the great stampede of the wild chihuahuas.
+In Nomine Patri et Fili et Spiritu Sancti, Amen.+
and 
all
time for me 
echoes, hope you all are doing well 
