20 COMICAL APPEARANCE OF A MEXICAN COMPANY. 



exclusively of political opponents. The evidence was so strong he had 

 little to expect from their hands, and consequently threw up his commission, 

 to avert the disgrace of being cashiered, since which he has been engaged 

 in his present business. 



He appeared to be a man of general information, and well versed in 

 science and literature. Indeed, I felt highly gratified in making an acquain- 

 tance so far congenial to my own taste. 



An accession of two waggons and four men having completed our 

 number, the morning of September 4th was ushered in with the din of 

 preparations for an immediate start. The lading of the waggons was then 

 severally overhauled and more compactly adjusted, and our arms were depos- 

 ited with other freight until such time as circumstances should call for them. 

 All was hurry and confusion, and ofttimes the sharp tone of angry dispute 

 arose above the jargon of the tumultuous throng. 



At length the word was given to advance, and in an instant the whole 

 caravan was in motion ; those disconnected with the waggons, mounted 

 upon horseback, led the van, followed by the teams and their attendants in 

 Indian file, as the loose cattle and horses brought up the rear. The scene 

 to me portrayed a novelty quite amusing. I began to think a more comical- 

 looking set could scarcely be found any where ; but the events of the day 

 soon convinced me of my mistake. 



Travelling leisurely along for some six or eight miles, strange objects 

 were seen in the distance, which, on nearer approach, proved a company 

 of Mexican traders, on their way to Independence for an equipment of goods. 

 As they filed past us, I had full scope for the exercise of my risibilities. 



If a mountaineer and a mountain company are laughable objects, a 

 Mexican and a Mexican company are triply so. The first thing that excites 

 attention upon meeting one of this mongrel race, is his ludicrous apology 

 for pantaloons. This is generally made of deer or buflTalo skin, similar to 

 our present fashion, except the legs, which are left unsewed from the thigh 

 downwards ; a loose pair of cotton drawers, cut and made in like manner, 

 and worn beneath, imparts to his every movements a most grotesque appear- 

 ance, leaving at each step of the wearer his denuded leg, with that of his 

 pantaloons on one side, and drawers on the other, fluttering in the breeze ! 

 The next thing that meets the gaze, is his black, slouching, broad-brimmed 

 hat, {sombrero,) though little darker than the features it obscures, and far 

 less so than the coarse, jet-colored hair that protrudes from beneath it, and 

 falls confusedly upon his shoulders. Next, if the weather tolerates the 

 habit, a coarse parti-colored blanket {charape) envelopes the body, from his 

 shoulders downwards, fixed to its place by an aperture in the centre through 

 which the head is thrust, and securely girted at pleasure by a waist-band 

 of leather. His arms, if arms he has, consist of a rude bow and arrows 

 slung to his back, or an old fusee, not unfrequently without flint, lock, or 

 ammunition ; but doubly armed, and proudly, too, is he who can carry a good 

 rifle with powder and lead — even if he he ignorant of their use. 



Thus appearing, these creatures, some mounted upon mules, with heavy 

 spurs attached to their heels, (bearing gafl^s an inch and a half in length, jin- 

 gling in response to the rolhng motions of the wearer,) ensconced in bungling 

 {Spanish saddles, (finished with such ample leather skirts as almost hid the 

 diminutive animal that bore them, and large wooden stirrups, some tliree 



