cans with the Apaches here-Broad open plains-Continued rain-The Salado-The Medanos or Sand Hills-Painful night's march-Samalayuca-Arrival at El Paso del Norte. PAGE 366 SIXTH DIVISION. EL PASO TO THE GULF OF MEXICO. CHAPTER XXXVII. INCIDENTS AT EL PASO DEL NORTE Preparations for completing the Survey of the southern boundary of New Mexico Withdrawal of the military from El Paso-Importance of El Paso as a military post-Its business-Encroachments of the Apaches -Depredations of the Comanches-Suggestions for a better protection of the frontier-Colonel Langberg-Visit to Fort Fillmore-The Mesilla valley-Visit to the Organ mountains-Silver mines-Grand scenery-Return-Bracito and its battle-field-Preparations for leaving El Paso-Mail party attacked by the Comanches-Decide to go by way of Chihuahua-Laxity of the Mexican custom house-Departure of Lieutenant Whipple and party for the Gila-Organization of parties. 381 CHAPTER XXXVIII. EL PASO TO CHIHUAHUA. Departure from El Paso-Accident at the start-Farewell to friends-San Eleazario-Fording the Rio Grande-Wagon upset-Guadalupe-Ascend the table-land-Grassy plains, and open country-Ojo de Lucero -Laguna de los Patos-Country overflowed-Wagon mired-More accidents-Carrizal-Ojo Caliente-Rio Carmen-Encounter with the Apaches-A man killed-Animals lost-Ojo de Callejo-Mexican soldiers-Precautions to avoid a surprise--Laguna de Encinillas-El Penol-El Sauz-Rio Sacramento-Battlefield-Notice of the battle -Arrival at Chihuahua. . 401 CHAPTER XXXIX. CHIHUAHUA AND ITS VICINITY. Repairs on wagons-Mr. Flotte and his persecutions-The road infected by Comanche Indians-Guard hired-General Trias-Governor Cordero -A dinner and ball-Ladies of Chihuahua-Dinner to General Trias -Obtain important documents relating to the boundary-Description of Chihuahua-Causes of its decline-Its mines-The expulsion of the Spaniards-Labors of the Jesuits-Aqueduct-The Cathedral-Mine of Santa Eulalia-Casa de Moneda-Commerce-How carried on-Agricultural products-Alfalfa and its value-Heaps of scoria-Grazing lands-The plateau-Immense herds of cattle-Height of the table land-Climate-Diminutive dogs. PAGE 424 CHAPTER XL. CHIHUAHUA TO THE RIO FLORIDO. Departure from Chihuahua-Additional escort-Mr. Flotte with his family join us-Bachimba-Santa Cruz-Grist mill-Smelting works-Saucillo-Attack of the Comanches-La Cruz-Las Garzas-Ford the Conchas-Santa Rosalia-Its defences erected against the Americans during the war-Ramada-Rio Florido-Guajuquilla-Fertile valleyMonument to our Lady of Guadalupe-Search for meteorites-Hacienda-Blanca-Wagon upset in an acequia-Hacienda de Concepcion-Curious mass of meteoric iron-Account of meteorites in the vicinity— Hacienda del Rio Florido. 442 CHAPTER XLI. RIO FLORIDO TO PARRAS. A mule kidnapped-La Noria-Cerro Gordo-Enter the State of Durango --Another escort-Miserable condition of the Mexican soldiers--Recent battle here with the Comanches-La Zarca-Vast herds of cattle and horses-Scarcity of wood-Droves of horses-San Pedro del GalloRio Nasas-Fertile valley-Culture of cotton-Corn-fields without irrigation-La Noria de Pedrecina-Silver mines-Cuencame-Another escort of civilians-La Noria Curena-Rio Buenaval-Pozo CalvoDepredations of the Comanches-Alamo de Parras-Viesca mines— La Pena-Break down-Cold weather-El Pozo-Recent incursion of Indians-Reach Parras. . PAGE 465 CHAPTER XLII. PARRAS TO SALTILLO. Parras-Its vineyards-Numerous springs-Orchards-Plantations of the Agave Extent of its cultivation-Pulque-Hacienda Arriba-Its extensive wine vaults and granaries-Visit to the churches-The Alame. da-Departure from Parras-The Hacienda Abajo-Don Manuel de Ibarra and General Wool-Cienega Grande-Ceguin-VequeriaGigantic Yuccas-Hacienda de Patos-Don Jacobo Sanchez-His large estates—Claims for indemnification on the United States-Village of Peons-Encantada-Arrival of a courier with despatches from Washington-Buena Vista-The Barrancas-Ramble over the battlefieldRelics found-Reach Saltillo-No work on a feast day-Fine churchCotton factories-Dr. Hewison-Economical use of water. . . 482 CHAPTER XLIII. SALTILLO TO RINGGOLD BARRACKS. Leave Saltillo-Accident at the start-Enter the Rinconada Pass-A night in the defile-Los Muertos-Ampudia's redoubt-Magnificent scenery -Hacienda of the Rinconada-Sierra Mitra-Santa Catarina-Suburbs of Monterey-Loma de Independencia—Arrival at Monterey-Pronunciamentos-Visit the Bishop's palace—Beautiful valley—The citadel— Prosperity of the city-Its climate-Elevation-Departure-MarinRamos-Carrizitos-Dense chapporal-Miss the road-Cerralvo-Puntiagudo-Bad road-Mier-Trade for serapes-Texan Mier expedition -Character of the Rio Grande above Mier-Ascent of a steamboat to Loredo-Ancient oyster beds-Rio San Juan-Mexican brigade-Camargo-Cross the Rio Grande-Arrival at Ringgold barracks. . . 499 CHAPTER XLIV. RINGGOLD BARRACKS TO CORPUS CHRISTL Rio Grande surveying parties-State of the Survey-Despatches from Washington-Proviso affixed by Congress to the appropriation for the Commission-Letter of the Hon. Alex. H. H. Stuart, Secretary of the Interior-Money withheld-Compelled to disband the Commission and return home-Unfortunate situation of the party-Send the train and government property to San Antonio-Leave for the coast -The grassy prairies of Texas-San Colorado-Wells at Santa Teresa -Ravages of the Comanches-Night alarm from mustangs-Abundance of deer and antelope-Los Olmos-Immense drove of mustangs -Exciting race over the prairie-Horse lost-The prairie on fire-Rio San Francisco-Agua Dulce-Arrival at Corpus Christi. PAGE 513 CHAPTER XLV. CORPUS CHRISTI TO WASHINGTON. Corpus Christi-Its fine position-Geographical features of the countryNueces bay and river-A norther-Its effects on the fish in the lagunas-Leave Corpus Christi in an open boat-Shallow bays and lagunas of the Gulf-Vast numbers of water fowl-Bays of Aransas and Espiritu Santo-Reach Decrow's Point-Matagorda bay and its commerceEmbark for New Orleans-Galveston-Arrival at New Orleans-Voyage up the Mississippi, and by way of Louisville, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Buffalo, and Albany to Providence-Arrival at home-Proceed to Washington. RESULTS OF THE LABORS OF THE BOUNDARY COMMISSION. NATURAL HISTORY. The Natural history of the regions traversed-Animal life on the deserts -Quadrupeds-Reptiles, their great variety and number-Peculiar vegetation of the deserts-The "prairie dog" and its habits-The antelope, etc. ADAPTATION OF THE COUNTRY FOR A RAILWAY. Brief remarks on the geography of the countries traversed by the Boundary Commission, and upon its adaptation for a railroad connecting the Atlantic with the Pacific. 528 539 . 555 565 |