We had for hours noticed the huge volumes of smoke as they ascended from the plain, and attributed the flight of animals towards us, which we had seen. during the day, to this fire. It stretched for miles in both directions, and was sweeping directly towards us. Whenever it reached a patch of high grass, volumes of dense smoke rose up, while the vivid flames leaped with greater rapidity over the plain. We rode up and down for some distance, but could find no opening through. At length a place was seen where the fire raged with less fury. Here the horsemen led the way; whereupon the teamsters put the whips to their animals, and uttering a loud whoop dashed through the flames.

A short distance beyond we passed another chain of lagunas, or small ponds, known as Santa Gertrude. The water was good here; but finding that we could make a few more miles, I hurried forward. Five miles. further, over an excellent road, brought us to San Francisco River, which unfortunately had no water in it.

The prairie had been more level to-day, and, except where burned, was covered with excellent grass. The bed and banks of the San Francisco were lined with large trees overhung with moss. We made thirty miles to-day, for about half of which distance the road was excellent.

January 1st, 1853. At an early hour breakfast was despatched; and the tents were struck, and the party was in motion at the break of day. The prairie was now a dead level, the grass short, and the road very good. Not a bush or a tree was to be seen; yet there

was no lack of prominent objects; for thousands of deer and antelope were scattered over it. Never before had we seen such numbers. Droves of mustangs also appeared. The deer and antelope were usually grazing in herds of from ten to fifty; and as we approached they leisurely trotted off to a short distance, and again stopped. We shot none; for as I was desirous to reach Corpus Christi before night, we were pushing forward on the run, and could not be delayed for the sake of game, tempting as it was. Among the antelope I noticed several of a pure white.

Ten miles brought us to Agua Dulce (Sweet Water), where there were some filthy pools of water and several ranchos; and twelve miles further to the Oso, a small pond, or rather mud-hole, the water in which was so bad that the animals would not drink it. The road being good and the weather cool, we again dashed off on a run, when an additional nine miles gladdened our sight with the blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico, which stretched out before us in a long line, bounding the horizon for many miles. This was a delightful spectacle to us after an absence of two years and a half, and especially as it was the termination of a land journey of nearly two thousand three hundred miles. At three o'clock, P. M., we reached Corpus Christi, and drove to the excellent hotel of Mr. Noesler. Here we met Captains Gibbs and Rhett, Dr. Jarvis, and other officers of the United States army, from whom we were gratified with late news from home.

My first inquiry was for the means of reaching New Orleans; and finding there was no steamer running, and no means of reaching there except by tak

ing an open boat through the lagunas to Indianola, a distance of about one hundred and forty miles, or making a land journey around the shore to the same place, I chose the former. I had had quite enough of land journeys for the present; and hearing there was a small boat at the wharf, I lost no time in chartering her to transport me and such others as chose to acShe could stow away four persons becompany me. neath a piece of deck over the bow, by crawling in on the hands and feet; but there was not sufficient height to sit up. However, it was a change, and I determined to try it. The Captain agreed to leave in the morning.

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.

THE town of Corpus Christi is more pleasantly situated than any place I had yet seen on the Gulf of Mexico, having the advantage of a bluff from eighty to one hundred feet high above the shores of the Gulf. The business portion of the town stands chiefly on the beach below; but the bluff is now being covered with dwelling houses, and is by far the most pleasant situation. Like other places on the northern shores of the Gulf, it is separated from the sea by a broad bay. Here there is plenty of water; but on the bar which connects it with the Gulf there is only about six feet.

Corpus Christi Bay is about forty miles from north to south, and twenty from east to west. Connected with

it, and making far up into the land, is Nueces Bay, about ten miles long and five wide, which receives at its head the Nueces River. This river has its rise in the Guadalupe Mountains about three hundred miles distant. The stream, which is deep, narrow, and rapid, with very steep banks, is navigable for small boats, about forty miles from its mouth; and with some improvement the navigation might be extended to the point of confluence with the Rio Frio, its principal tributary. The latter has a course of about one hundred and fifty miles, and has for its tributaries the San Miguel, Atascoco, La Parida, and Tordillo rivers. The San Miguel is about one hundred and twenty miles in length, and runs nearly parallel with the Rio Frio. The Laguna, the Leona, the Arroyo Saco, and the Arroyo de Uvalde, are also branches of this stream-the last named "being formed of nearly a hundred springs of crystal water, that gush from the munificent soil of the valley, which is headed by a singularly difficult defile, named the Cañon de Uvalde." West of Corpus Christi Bay, several small streams enter the Laguna del Madre, among them the Agua Dulce, Las Pintas, San Fernando, Santa Gertrude, Los Olmos, and Escondida. Most of these we passed in crossing from the Rio Grande; but the water in them was so low that we hardly recognised them as running streams, and some were entirely dry.

The land near Corpus Christi is very fertile. Groups and belts of timber are found near the coast; but after leaving this, a vast undulating prairie extends from the Nueces to within three or four miles of the Rio Grande. This plain is covered with the richest grass, and abounds

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