364 THE COPPER MINES 
and gradual slope to a vast open plain, uninterrupted 
by hills, and bounded on the west by a high range of 
mountains about twenty-five miles distant. North and 
south there were no mountains to obstruct the view. 
Our guide here pointed out to us El Peloncillo, or 
Sugar Loaf, a mountain of this form in the high range 
alluded to, with an opening near ‘it, where he said 
General Condé was encamped. He told us we should 
find no water until we reached there, which it seemed 
impossible to do before dark. At 3 o'clock in the 
afternoon we encountered a violent shower of rain. A 
few of the party had been so prudent as to have their 
india-rubber coats behind their saddles; but many 
had left theirs in the wagons which were a mile behind, 
