TO THE RIO FLORIDO. 451 
course of erection, built of adobe, except the doorways 
and windows, which are of the soft sand-stone of the 
country. Some of the arches which are to support the 
roof are already finished, and are well built. To raise 
these arches, the intermediate spaces are built up with 
adobe and a few timbers, and the arch laid directly on 
this wall. When the arch is completed, the adobe is 
removed. This seems a quicker and less expensive 
mode than to use a framework, as we do. 
South of the town are a redoubt and ‘fort erected 
by the Mexicans when they expected an invasion from 
General Wool, who they heard was approaching in 
that direction. These works are all of adobe, and are 
said to answer well, as a cannon ball will pass through 
them without making a breach. But the invasion came 
from the north; and Colonel Doniphan was so uncivil 
as to give them no opportunity to use their defences, 
but approached where there were none; so that the 
Jabor of the Santa Rosalians was thrown away. 
November 6th. We were detained several hours this 
morning to set the tires on two of our wagons, which 
gave me an opportunity to look about the town. Eleva- 
ted above the plain, I could see for a long distance the 
valleys of the streams which unite here ; they seemed to 
be quite broad, presenting a fine bottom for cultivation. 
We heard from the people here, that a large band 
of Comanches crossed the Conchos early this morning 
hear Las Garzas, and went towards the mountains on 
our left; evidently, with the intention of going south- 
Wwardly towards the settlements, and perhaps of lying 
in ambush for passing trains. 
At 1 o'clock p. uw. we again got off, and, ascending 
