Across the Mexican Mountains 107 



and water. The question was brought up as to 

 whether or not brandy was essential, except in real 

 illness. As we sat in the dim light of our lantern, 

 drenched and cold, we decided in the affirmative, 

 and if our friends could have seen us, they would, 

 I think, have sanctioned the vote. 



At ten o'clock I turned myself and my guard 

 out, and Henry Mallory and his twelve men were 

 my relief; the guard being unusually large, thieves 

 here being so numerous that guards must be 

 close enough to see each other, even on a dark 

 ilight. 



June 2Qth. We passed through patches of 

 beautiful scarlet lilies, that sometimes were an acre 

 in extent, gorgeous and splendid, and contrasting 

 with an equally abundant blue-flowering plant 

 like larkspur, but alas, I am no botanist. We here 

 came to the first great ascent we had made for 

 some time. Had we not been told that La Zarca 

 was the highest point in central Mexico, we should 

 have thought ourselves a thousand feet higher 

 than at any previous time on our trip. Up we 

 went through scrub, post and live-oaks filled with 

 mistletoe, and a most beautiful laurel, with the 

 stems and branches bright cinnamon orange. At 

 last we arrived at the top of the ridge, and came 

 to a jutting point giving a view of the most magnifi- 

 cent mountain pass that can be imagined. Our 

 men gave a shout for mere exultation, and I par- 



