Pike Reaches the Rio Grande.

After leaving this valley Pike and the remaining men of the expedition finally reached the Rio Grande, where the weather was milder and deer abounded.  Here they built a little fort over which they flew the United States flag, though Pike well knew that he was in Spanish territory.  When the Spanish commander at Santa Fe learned of their presence he promptly sent out a detachment of troops to bring them in, though showing great courtesy, and elaborately pretending to believe that Pike had merely lost his way.

    Pike is Sent Home by the Spaniards.

From Santa Fe Pike was sent home by a roundabout route through Chihuahua, and through Texas, where he noted the vast droves of wild horses, and the herds of peccaries.  He was much impressed by the strange mixture of new world savagery and old world feudalism in the provinces through which he passed.  A nobility and a priesthood which survived unchanged from the middle ages held sway over serfs and made war upon savages.  The Apache and Comanche raided on the outlying settlements; the mixed bloods, and the “tame” Indians on the great ranches and in the hamlets were in a state of peonage; in the little walled towns, the Spanish commanders lived in half civilized, half barbaric luxury, and shared with the priests absolute rule over the people roundabout.  The American lieutenant, used to the simplicity of his own service, was struck by the extravagance and luxury of the Spanish officers, who always travelled with sumpter mules laden with delicacies; and he was no less struck with the laxity of discipline in all ranks.  The Spanish cavalry were armed with lances and shields; the militia carried not only old fashioned carbines but lassos and bows and arrows.  There was small wonder that the Spanish authorities, civil, military, and ecclesiastical alike, should wish to keep intruders out of the land, and should jealously guard the secret of their own weakness.

    His Subsequent Career.

When Pike reached home he found himself in disfavor, as was everyone who was suspected of having any intimate relations with Wilkinson.  However, he soon cleared himself, and continued to serve in the army.  He rose to be a brigadier-general and died gloriously in the hour of triumph, when in command of the American force which defeated the British and captured York.

Lewis, Clark, and Pike had been the pioneers in the exploration of the far West.  The wandering trappers and traders were quick to follow in their tracks, and to roam hither and thither exploring on their own accord.  In 1807 one of these restless adventurers reached Yellowstone Lake, and another Lake Itasca; and their little trading stations were built far up the Missouri and the Platte.

    The West Gradually Fills with Population.