Mexico to the Mountains 105 



times like these, especially when a deviation from 

 our contemplated route is in question. 



The country we have passed through is desolate 

 in the extreme, parched, arid, barren, except 

 where irrigated. 



Parral is a mining town where silver is found, 

 but there is no proper machinery for satisfactory 

 work. There are about seven thousand inhabitants 

 of the usual mixed variety. 



June 2Jth, l84g. Here at Parral we have 

 found some Americans, and, as ever, friends 

 among them; Mr. Hicks and Mr. Miller in 

 particular; but here unfortunately Hinckley, 

 Liscomb and Teller were taken ill, and our 

 departure was delayed. Teller was very ill from 

 the first with a sort of cholera. We took him into 

 the town for better accommodation and rest, but 

 he sank rapidly; we were unable to save him, and 

 could only alleviate his sufferings. His cousin 

 and myself watched over him with heavy hearts, 

 and depression again settled heavily on our camp. 



