n 



43 A MOTLEY CREW. 



should have ventured across the Prairies under 

 such forlorn auspices. Tliose who accompa- 

 nied us, however, were members of a Span- 

 ish family who had been banished in 1829, in 

 pursuance of a decree of the Mexican con- 

 gress, and were now returning to their homes 

 in consequence of a suspension of the decree. 

 Other females, however, have crossed the 

 prairies to'Santa Fe at different times, among 

 whom I have known two respectable French 

 ladies, who now reside in Chiliuahua. 



The wild and motley aspect of the caravan 

 can be but imperfectly conceived without an 

 idea of the costumes ot its various members. 

 The most 'fashionable' prairie dress is the 

 fustian frock of the city-bred merchant 

 furnished with a multitude of pockets capa- 

 ble of accommodating a variety of 'extra 

 tackling.' Then there is the backwoodsman 

 with his hnsey or leather hunting-shirt— the 

 farmer with his blue jeau coat — ^the wagoner 

 with his flannel-sleeve vest— besides an as- 

 sortment of other costumes which go to fill up 

 the picture. 



In the article of fire-arms there is also an 

 equally interesting medley. The frontier 

 hunter sticks to liis rifle, as nothing could in- 

 duce liim to carry what he terms in derision 

 ' the scatter-gim.' The sportsman from the 

 interior flourishes his double-barrelled fowling- 

 piece with equal confidence in its superiority. 

 The latter is certamly the most convenient 

 description of gun that can be carried on tliis 

 journey ; as a charge of buck-shot in night 



