* TO CORPUS CHRISTI. 521 
appear a long line or belt of these trees, extending a 
mile or more. At noon, stopped in a grove of mez- 
quit, and sent our animals to a lagoon half a mile to 
our left for water. After letting them graze an 
hour, we resumed our march. We reached a pond four 
miles further, and a little beyond a second and larger 
one. This water was covered with wild ducks and 
geese; but they took the alarm at the first appearance 
of the train, and were off before we could get a shot 
at them. Keeping on a few miles, we encamped on 
the open prairie. Large numbers of deer, antelope, 
and wild horses were seen during the day; but the 
latter kept at a fespectful distance. Two deer were 
killed. 
December 30th. Off by break of day. The rolling 
prairie continued without trees or shrubbery, save 
here and there a little mot or group. As we approach- 
ed Loma, Blanca (White Hill), some low hills appeared, 
whose sides showed banks of white sand. Herds of 
mustangs, going at full speed, crossed and recrossed 
the broad prairie, presenting a beautiful spectacle as 
they stretched for a mile or more, with their long bushy 
tails streaming in the wind. They did not venture 
within a quarter of a mile of us. Deer and antelope 
were also seen in great numbers bounding over the 
broad plain or feeding in herds. They too were shy, 
and had evidently come in contact with man before. 
As there was neither tree nor bush to be seen, and no 
cover of any sort, all our efforts to get within eurdenti 
were unavailing. 
Near Loma Blanca is the bed of a laguna, which 
extends for more than a mile on both sides of the road. _ 
