the flowers boiling for food. The uncooked flowers have quite a bitter taste; but this may probably be removed by boiling. The roots of a narrow-leaved species called amole are used, instead of soap, for washing clothes; bruised between stones, they afford a mucilage when rubbed upon the clothes, which seems to possess considerable detergent properties. The root is generally kept for sale in the towns, and, where soap is so very dear, affords an economical substitute.

December 6th. Our intention was to reach the rancho of San Juan to-day. Soon after leaving, we saw through an opening in the hills on our left, about a mile distant, the Hacienda de Patos. This place is the property of Don Jacobo Sanchez, and is said to be the finest in the State of Coahuila. This gentleman is said to be the owner of three quarters of the landed property in the State, including several large and valuable haciendas, well stocked with cattle, mules, and horses. He has lost large numbers by the Indians, and, I am told, has made a claim on the United States for a million and a half of dollars as an indemnification for these losses. Yet he takes no pains to protect his property, not even arming his herdsmen, and never pursues the Indians or makes any efforts to recover what he has lost. In entering into a compact with Mexico for the protection of her frontier, the United States certainly expected either the Mexican government or the proprietors to do something for their own protection. The lands of Don Jacobo extend in a continuous line more than a hundred miles. Such a landholder could well afford to support a body of expert riflemen or rangers, who should be always on the alert

and pursue the Indians whenever found on his domain. Mules are extremely plentiful here, and are valued at twenty dollars a head on an average. I presume Don

Jacobo estimates his mules in his claim on the United States at from fifty to sixty dollars a head. This is about the advance that Americans put upon their property, of whatever nature, when the government is to pay for it; and we can hardly expect the Mexicans to be more moderate than our own citizens.

One of our wagons broke down to-day and so injured the axle-tree that it would not retain its wheel. It was, therefore, taken off and the axle sustained by a long pole.

Passed

These

Our road ascended gradually until we reached an elevated plain with high mountains around us. several ranchos, with large fields of maize. fields were in the depressions of the plain, and derived sustenance from the drainage of the mountains. The corn looked as well as when artificially irrigated. Among the villages passed was one exclusively of Peons. It consisted of a cluster of extremely rude dwellings or huts around a square, many of which were built entirely of the yucca tree. Its trunk set upright formed the walls and doors, while its leaves, placed on poles, after the manner of thatching, made the roof. Want and wretchedness were stamped upon these rude hovels, as well as on the poor cretures who occupied them.

We tried to buy corn-stalks here, but they had none for sale, which obliged us to move on. When opposite San Juan, a cluster of miserable huts a quarter of a mile from the road, I sent to see if fodder

could be procured; but, much to our surprise, the people would sell none, although there were large cornfields near. It was, therefore, necessary for us to push on and endeavor to reach Encantada, ten miles further. The road proving very good, we got along very well after dark by driving cautiously, and arrived at our place of destination in safety—a place rendered famous from its connection with the campaigns of General Taylor and the battle of Buena Vista. Distance travelled to-day, thirty-two miles.

December 7th. Before I had risen this morning, I was aroused by the arrival of a courier bringing me dispatches from Washington, and letters announcing the arrival of Major Emory and his corps of engineers at Ringgold Barracks, Texas.

Encantada (Enchanted) is a small village, where the American army under General Taylor was encamped at the time of the approach of Santa Aña with his army of twenty-five thousand men, previous to the battle of Buena Vista. Not finding the position an advantageous one, he fell back and took position at Angostura, the narrowest portion of the valley leading to and beyond Saltillo, which is six miles distant. This valley or pass lies between two ridges of mountain five or six miles apart, which approach towards the north-east, until at Angostura the space is not more than two miles. The eastern range is much the highest, rising ten or twelve hundred feet above the plateau; the western is about half that height. The plateau from the eastern ridge extends about a mile, or half way across the valley, when it drops off abruptly to the flat or alluvial bottom. In

this bottom runs a small rivulet, which takes its rise at Encantada; but at times, after heavy rains, it is so much swollen that it has cut for itself a deep bed, with perpendicular banks, from twenty to thirty feet deep. This bed is quite inaccessible from above, except in a few places. These deep gullies or ravines are called barrancas, and are peculiar to the country. The tenacity of the soil prevents it from crumbling, except at the base, where the water washes it away. The upper portion then projects, until it has become so much undermined that it cannot sustain itself, when it breaks off, leaving perpendicular walls. These barrancas extend for more than a mile above and below the narrow pass. They also intersect various parts of the bottom, rendering it impossible for a body of troops to traverse it. Hence all the operations were confined to the plateau above, which extends to the eastern range of mountains. The battery of Colonel Washington was stationed between the barrancas and a spur of the plateau, a narrow pass some sixty or eighty feet in width.

The road leads directly through this pass; and on reaching it, we stopped within the redoubt thrown up by Colonel W. I told the men to fasten their teams, and all that felt disposed to visit the battle field to do so. We walked up one of the steep hills or spurs, and reached the plateau, where the party strolled about in all directions as far as the mountains. I had a plan of the battle with me, which enabled us to find the positions occupied by our several bodies of troops. Many relics were found, such as grape shot, bullets of lead and copper, gun-flints, fragments of

gun-locks, cap trimmings, etc., also a few fragments of human bones. I took two sketches of the battle field, one looking south, the other towards Saltillo. About two miles distant is the small village of Buena Vista. The Mexicans call the place where the battle was fought Angostura, which means a narrow pass.

Leaving this ever-memorable spot, we pushed forward, and at two o'clock reached Saltillo. The town is completely hidden from view until one reaches the brink of the hill in front of it. We drove at once to a court-yard on one of the main streets, where we found accommodations for the whole party. The animals were placed in a corral near by.

We had been in town but a short time when our arrival became known; for our train of six large wagons, five ambulances and carriages, and about forty long-bearded men, armed to the teeth, always produced a sensation when we entered these quiet towns and villages. Several Americans residing in the place made their appearance before we had got stowed away in our quarters, and brought us the news of the result of the Presidental election.

December 8th. Having some repairs to make on a wagon, we applied to a blacksmith, but he declined working, as it was "El dia de la Purissima Concepcion," when a great celebration was to take place in the church. Before this man could work or allow his shop to be used, we were obliged to ask permission from the gefe politico-a privilege that was readily granted. This being done, we spent the remainder of the day in looking at the town and its fine churches. The principal church, which occupies one side of the