90 



1 



FROM MOUTH OF DEVIL S RIVER TO EL PASO DEL NORTE. 



Here 



mil 



Pilaris 



was once a military colony, and^ from abundant signs still visible^ the smelting of silver ore was 

 carried on extensively. It has long been deserted^ and I could not learn from what mount- 

 ains in the vicinity the ore was procured. The river continues the same general course through 

 a valley, bounded by high ridges of mountains, for some eighteen miles, when it enters a large 

 canon of six miles in length. On emerging from this it changes its course to northwest, through 

 an open valley of eight miles in length, the bearing of which is north and south. 



" Tt now iiasses between low hills for some eisrht miles, when it breaks throuo;h an immense 



mountain ran<re, w^here its banks are of perpendicular rock, ot Irom 



height. 



many 



m 



possible^ except at a very high stage of water. 



" One mile above the canon, on the American side, is a level plateau of rock, about one-half 

 mile square, near the centre of which are two warm springs, their cavities having a funnel- 



shape, and of great depth. 



temperature 



about 180^ Fahrenheit. 



From these springs the river continues a northwest course, through a narrow valley, for twenty- 

 four miles, to the caiion where the San Antonio road leaves it." 



From the caiion up to El Paso, a distance of eighty or ninety miles, the valley of the river 

 will average from six to ten miles in width, and is, almost everywhere within the w^ater-level 

 of the river, capable of cultivation. On the American side, however, there is no settlement 



9^ 



SocorrOj Texas, 



military 



s 



Imndred inhabitants each. From 



; of sixty miles from the caiion. On the 

 Guadalupe and San Ignacio — of about five 



