LIFE IN THE FAR WEST 23? 



rise, on the eastern side, abruptly from the plain, and 

 the view over the great prairies is not therefore ob- 

 structed by intervening ridges. To the westward the 

 eye sweeps over the broken spurs which stretch from 

 the main range in every direction ; whilst distant peaks, 

 for the most part snow-covered, are seen at intervals 

 rising isolated above the range. On all sides the scene 

 is wild and dismal. 



Crossing by this pass, the trappers followed the Yuta 

 trail over a plain, skirting a pine-covered ridge, in 

 which countless herds of antelope, tame as sheep, were 

 pasturing. Numerous creeks intersect it, well timbered 

 with oak, pine, and cedar, and well stocked with game 

 of all kinds. On the eleventh day from leaving the 

 Huerfano, they struck the Taos valley settlement on 

 Arroyo Hondo, and pushed on at once to the village of 

 Fernandez sometimes, but improperly, called Taos. 

 As the dashing band clattered through the village, the 

 dark eyes of the reboso-wrapped muchachas peered 

 from the doors of the adobe houses, each mouth armed 

 with cigarito, which was at intervals removed to allow 

 utterance to the salutation to each hunter as he trotted 

 past of Adios, Americanos, " Welcome to Fernandez ! " 

 and then they hurried off to prepare for the fandango, 

 which invariably followed the ad vent of the mountaineers. 

 The men, however, seemed scarcely so well pleased ; 

 but leaned sulkily against the walls, their sarapes turned 

 over their left shoulder, and concealing the lower part 

 of the face, the hand appearing from its upper folds 

 only to remove the eternal cigarro from their lips. 



