290 FROM ARISPE BACK TO 
restraim him from indulging in these as long as he re- 
mains under the influence of liquor. Towards night 
we heard noises approaching, which we finally decided 
were intended for music. A rabble at length reached 
our camp, headed by two fellows, sawing lustily upon 
violins of domestic manufacture. They performed 
several pieces, among which I noticed ‘‘ Oh, Susannah,” 
“ Dan Tucker,” and other popular airs which had pro- 
bably been introduced by the Sonorians, who had 
returned from California. Having entertained us suf 
ficiently, one of them stepped forward, and informed 
us that there was to be a fandango in the evening, and 
that we were invited to attend. They then gave a 
few more morceaux and left us. 
Mezcal, or aguardiente, is a spirituous liquor of 
great strength, much more so than our strongest whis- 
key. It is obtained from the bulb or root of the 
maguay or agave mexicana, and is the common alcoholic 
_ drink throughout the country. The-process of making 
this liquor is as follows: A hole is first dug some ten 
_ or twelve feet in,diameter, and about three deep, and 
is lined with stones. Upon this a fire is built and 
kept up until the stones are thoroughly heated. A 
layer of moist grass is then thrown upon the stones, 
and on this are piled the bulbs of the maguay, which 
vary in size, from one’s head to a half bushel measure, 
resembling huge onions. These are again covered 
with a thicker layer of grass; and the whole is al- 
lowed to remain until they are thoroughly baked.* 
They are then removed to large leathern bags, and 
* My readers in Rhode Island and Massachusetts will notice a strong 
