TO THE RIO FLORIDO. 457 
November 11th. Our provisions were spread out 
in the sun to-day on India rubber blankets and tent- 
cloths. The result of the disaster was the loss of all 
our sugar, and about one third of theflour. After afew 
hours’ drying, the coffee and rice were stowed away 
for a further drying in the afternoon, and we again set 
off. Finding that Totonilco was not on our direct road, 
we here took another, leading to the village of La Za- 
pata (The Shoe), eighteen miles distant, which we 
reached before sunset, and encamped. 
November 12th. Our next stopping place was the 
Hacienda del Rio Florido, about fifteen miles distant; 
but having heard of a remarkable meteorite at the 
Hacienda de Concepeton, about six miles from the 
direct route, I determined to let the train pass on, 
while I with a small party took the Concepcion road. 
Dr. Webb, Messrs. Radziminski, Seaton, Jacobs, and 
Force, with myself, made the party. Ten miles from 
Zapata, across the table-land, brought us to a small 
Stream, where, encompassed in a grove of cotton- 
woods, lay the pretty village to which we were des- 
tined. 
On our arrival, we stopped under the shade of 
some large trees, and dismounting at once discovered 
the object of our search about fifty yards distant, at 
the corner of a large building. This was the residence 
of Don Juan Urquida, the proprietor of the hacienda 
and large estates adjoining, and formerly governor of 
the State. That no time might be lost, Dr. Webb 
immediately set to work with his hammers and cold 
chisels to cut off some pieces from the huge mass of 
iron before us. This he found to be an undertaking 
