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, 
ereat caution being needed in selection, as much 
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 seiioras 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. 
