them in the other frontier towns. They are somewhat troubled by the Apaches; and we noticed two crosses near the ruins, and four on the road to Correlitos, the evidences of their murderous propensities. We were up by sunrise, and found a cup of coffee ready for us; after which we again set out for the ruins, accompanied by four men, whom I had engaged to dig among them. We first dug in a large apartment where some metates had been discovered, and which it was believed had been a sort of kitchen; but we found nothing but broken pottery, an obsidian arrow-head, and some small marine shells. Leaving Dr. Webb to superintend these excavations, I set to work to take a ground plan of the buildings, as far as it was possible to do so; but the Mexicans who undertook to assist me were far from adepts in the business, and caused me much annoyance. This was not a little increased by the troops of men, women, and children, who flocked around me until it seemed that half the population had turned out, apparently with the idea that we possessed some secret information regarding buried treasures there. I was unable to complete my survey of the edifice and its numerous walls, which it would have required the labor of several men, for at least two days, to accomplish in a satisfactory manner. At 11 o'clock, being pretty tired and hungry, we returned to the house of our friend to breakfast; after which the wagon was brought up, and we set out on our return to Correlitos, where we arrived at four o'clock, well pleased with our excursion. CHAPTER XXXVI. CORRELITOS TO EL PASO. Leave Correlitos-Visit the Silver Mines of Messrs. Flotte and ZuloagaAttempt of a peon to escape-Rio Santa Maria-Recent fight of Americans with the Apaches here-Broad open plains-Continued rain-The Salado-The Médanos, or Sand-hills-Painful night's march -Samalayuca-Arrival at El Paso del Norte. August 18th. We left Correlitos at 8 o'clock, A.M., and took an easterly course over a plain of very gentle ascent for about fifteen miles towards a conical mountain. We then entered a defile, and soon after reached the base of the mountain, where we found water, and encamped. As In this conical mountain are the two silver mines of Señor Zuloaga and Mr. Flotte, whose smelting works we had visited at Correlitos and Barranca. soon as the camp was arranged, I set off with several others to inspect them. The mines are on the opposite sides of a ravine or indentation, which makes up into the mountain, and their entrances are not more than a hundred yards apart. On the hill sides, around and above the entrances, are the habitations of the workmen; most of them are built of the rock excavated in mining, and from a little distance have a most singular appearance. I first went to Mr. Flotte's mine. I presented my letter of introduction to the superintendent, a native Castilian, and was received by him with the politeness that characterizes his countrymen. After sitting a short time in his house near the entrance, we were each provided with torches; whereupon we descended the mine, following the footsteps of our guide, the superintendent himself It was quite muddy, owing to the late rains. The shaft was between six and seven feet high, branching off in various directions. We traced it to its bottom, which was eighty varas, or about 240 feet, from the entrance. The principal vein of ore is about five inches in thickness; there is also another of one inch. Both have a dip of about 45 degrees. The entire length of the various shafts is 300 varas, or 820 feet. On returning to the house of our attentive guide, he presented us with fine specimens of the ore. We did not go further than the entrance of the other mine; as it was late, and the mine did not materially differ from the one we had examined. August 12th. Our journey to-day was twenty-five miles. After leaving camp, our road wound for a couple of miles through the hills, and then emerged into a broad plain, interspersed at intervals of two or three miles with conical hills, from one to three hundred feet in height. Some of these were capped with a ridge or mass of stone, of a reddish color, resembling a work of art. Five miles further brought us to Walnut Creek, a small run of water, which is dry except at this season, and even then contains but little water. Half a dozen walnut trees of a small size, grow upon its banks, whence its name. After crossing this rivulet, |