318 "IN HOT HASTE." 



for we scorned the idea of a regular uniform. Our eqiiip- 

 ment was a medley of Mexican, Indian, and American 

 styles ; none of our arms even were of the same make or 

 calibre. The more experienced hunters carried long-bar- 

 relled rifles, according to the old fashion, simple pistols, 

 and hunting-knives; while those who, like myself, had 

 recently arrived from the United States, were provided 

 with quite an arsenal of new inventions, six-barrelled re- 

 volvers, double-barrelled rifles, and a variety of other 

 weapons, which were very beautiful, without doubt, but 

 in practice proved to be rather embarrassing than useful. 

 Our horses, some of whom were mustangs, and others 

 of American blood, had all been selected with the greatest 

 care; and, therefore, they were admirable beasts with the 

 exception, however, of the little man's pony, which could 

 not be included in any category of known horses. 



Our phalanx of warrior-hunters, after quitting the 

 streets of the wretched little town of San Antonio, plunged 

 into the open plain, which spreads beyond it like a vast 

 and boundless sea. It was, I assure you, a magnificent 

 spectacle to see so many noble steeds galloping " in hot 

 haste " over this wild area ; and one's imagination grew 

 more and more exalted as we advanced toward the moun- 

 tain, and felt more keenly the breeze which came down 

 from its verdurous heights. 



We arrived, after a rapid journey across a charming 

 country, whose aspect changed every moment like the 

 varied scenes of a panorama, on the banks of a little 

 stream, where it was decided we should halt for the 

 night. Our encampment resounded with mirth and hil- 

 arity ; we emptied the contents of our gourds, and as 



