444 .- CHIHUAHUA 
present quite a picturesque appearance. Rocky strata 
of various colors are seen, and the summits of the hills 
are crowned with masses résembling works of art. 
About half way through, on the right, is a fine spring, 
and near by a deserted rancho, now in a state of ruin. 
What object any one could have in occupying such a 
spot, I cannot imagine; for there seemed to be no land 
fit for cultivation or for grazing. In this cafion isa 
conical hill, around which winds a spiral road, and on 
whose summit is a stone parapet, the work of some 
ancient people. 
A little further on, we passed another rancho ; from 
the top of the parapet peeped a few heads, and in 
their midst a huge blunderbuss mounted on a swivel, 
probably to overawe the Indians. On emerging from 
the caiion, we entered a broad plain, extending to the 
south as far as the eye could reach. A few isolated 
hills were alone seen in the far distance. The plain 
here was about twenty-five miles wide. Five or six 
miles further brought us to Bachimba, a cluster of 
about a dozen houses, with a fine spring of water, 
which is retained in a pond by a wall below it. From 
this, the water is conducted to some gardens, in which 
I noticed many fig-trees. This place is noted for its 
fine apples; but we were unable to procure any to 
satisfy us of the truth of the report.. Here we encamp- 
ed, after a march of twenty miles. 
November 3d. A train of wagons from Chihua- 
hua, belonging to Sefior Olivares, joined us last night, 
and left again before daylight. We continued our 
journey over the same plain as before, in a direction 
about south south-east, the road being excellent. Grass 
