Mexico to the Mountains 97 



but with eccentric peaks, mitre-shaped, and har- 

 monizing well with the rugged mountains which 

 surround this dirty little town, where idleness and 

 dirt, dogs and fleas abound. 



June Qth. We rested a day at Mapimi, and 

 reached La Cadena this evening, having come nine 

 leagues ; we shall stay here tomorrow to have the 

 tires of our wagon set and to rest. This rancho has 

 a fortified appearance, and mounts one small 

 cannon, it looks able to resist a heavy attack from 

 the Indians. 



The road to this place is almost level for twenty 

 miles, when, entering a gorge with abundant grass, 

 it winds up a gradual ascent for two or three miles, 

 and to the west we had a grand view, in the middle 

 of which stood the hacienda. A long front of 

 white wall, a tower at each end, with the usual 

 archway in the center, over which was mounted 

 a small brass piece, made the whole show of the 

 establishment; and though formidable to the 

 Apaches, who are about here in numbers, to us 

 was only picturesque. Today we lost two of our 

 best horses with cholera; the poor beasts suffering 

 so much in the manner that men do, that it was 

 painful to have our own troubles brought back so 

 forcibly to our minds. 



June lOth. We left for Pantilla at eight last 

 night; it was eleven leagues distant; and being a 

 deserted rancho no food could be had there, so we 



