Mexico to the Mountains 103 



meteoric iron, almost pure in quality. It is, at its 

 highest point, four feet above the ground, and 

 from two to five feet one way, by two to three the 

 other, very irregular. Where it is worn by the 

 passers by rubbing their hands it is bright, and 

 looks like a lump of pure ore. 



A long, steep zigzag descent, rocky beyond 

 belief, and painful to our poor mules, many of 

 which had lost shoes, brought us into Parral, which 

 is wild and picturesque in situation as well as in 

 buildings, but yet desolate. 



The balconies, so to speak, built in front of the 

 silver mines, high on the sides of the mountains 

 which entirely surround the town, give it a fortified 

 appearance, and convey the idea of a respectability 

 which we have not seen since we left Saltillo. We 

 skirted the town, and are encamped on the banks 

 of the river or creek that runs through the centre; 

 our tents were soon in place and guard set, for we 

 were immediately surrounded by at least a hun- 

 dred idlers. While talking to some Americans, 

 Lieut. Browning had his pistol stolen from his 

 holster, while standing within three feet of his 

 mule. This makes the fifth lost in this way. He 

 drew his revolver and ordered the crowd off, and 

 in an instant the ground was clear, and the fear that 

 characterizes these miserable creatures was shown 

 as they hurried off, holding their hats to shield the 

 back of their heads. 



