ALAMO MUCHO. 117 
_ avoiding such a frightful mountain. It answers well 
enough for pack-mules, for which I presume it’ was 
constructed; but it was never attempted to be passed 
with wagons until Colonel Cooke crossed it in 1847. 
A variety of trees and shrubbery grow along the road, 
with the greatest abundance and variety of wild 
flowers, for the most part, as is usual in this country, 
of brilliant colors. 
The long descent from this mountain, after the 
higher portions had been passed, was comparatively 
easy. We then reached valleys covered with live-oaks, 
and affording an abundance of grass. Next, several 
small hills, with intervening valleys and patches of 
woodland, were passed, until we reached Santa Isabel. 
When within a couple of miles of this place my mules 
began to show the effects of their toilsome day’s jour- 
ney, and the wagon was nearly disabled. Fearing 
they would not get in, I took my servant’s mule and 
hastened on to our camp, which I reached at seven 
o'clock, and sent two fresh mules back to the assist- 
ance of my party. Soon after Dr. Webb came in, and 
reported that the axle-tree had given out, and the 
wagon could proceed no further; so that it was neces- 
sary to send pack-mules to bring in its contents, and 
also provisions for the men. I now took possession of 
my tent with its appurtenances, and sat down to an 
excellent supper, prepared in anticipation of my com- 
ing. It was pleasing to find myself once more ina 
tent for the first time since I was taken ill at Ures. It 
Was invariably the case, that we all enjoyed better 
health when in camp and on our march, than when 
shut up in quarters with little or nothing to do. An 
