214 MULE-HUNTING EXPEDITION. 



torn out, to be broken into small pieces and con- 

 veyed to the bucket, and hauled by the engine 

 to the surface. The mining operations are con- 

 tinued night and day, seventy-four pounds of 

 candles being consumed every twenty-four hours. 



I finish the survey of this singular mine 

 perfectly free from foul air or fire-damp ; ascend 

 as I came down ; and, by vigorous rubbing with 

 soap-and- water, am slowly restored from bright 

 vermilion to my normal colour. 



The ore, on reaching the surface, is conveyed 

 by the tram-cart to the sorting-shed, where it is 

 broken and carefully picked over by skilful hands, 

 oreat caution being needed in selection, as much 



O O ' 



valuable ore might be thrown away, or a large 

 quantity of useless rock taken to the smelting- 

 furnaces. The picked ore is placed in large bags 

 made of sheepskin, weighed; and then hauled 

 by the mules to the lower works. 



Near the mine is a primitive kind of village, 

 the abode of the miners, sorters, and ore-carriers, 

 who are principally Mexicans; dirty senoras in 

 ragged finery, dirtier children devoid of gar- 

 ments, together with dogs, pigs, poultry, and idle 

 miners playing monte on the doorsteps, contrast 

 sadly with the exquisite little village at the 

 works. 



