114 NEW TRACKS IN NORTH AMERICA. 
; 
Here we had a score or more of the most complete cing 
of the stage brigand. A black matted beard, and a huge 
sombrero drawn well over the eyes, effectually hid their 
faces ; they wore mantles thrown across their shoulders, long 
boots reaching far above the knee, with huge silver spurs; 
the fringes of their leather breeches hung over their boots; 
and knives and revolvers were but half concealed beneath 
their mantles. Van Alstine was, as usual, quite master of 
‘the occasion ; he had a hearty word for the men, and chatted. 
so much with the women, that it seemed as if he had never | 
in his life been in such agreeable company. We watered and 
fed our mules, and succeeded in disposing of supper, after 
talking enough had been gone through to drive me — 
wild; for, alas! I was unable to join, and could not conceive 
how they could find so much to talk about. The men, having ' 
also supped and inspected us thoroughly, smoked a cigaritta 
and gradually dispersed. When the place was pretty quiet, 
and the gates were being secured for the night, we saddled ; 
up and took our leave. This was a master-stroke of policy, 
and very probably saved us from attack ; and as it is safer tO 
natives—we had good cause for mutual congratulations. 
_ Twenty miles further, we rode through the thick forest which 
had been reported so dangerous by the traveller we had met 
the day before, and then halted, as usual, in the bush, to giv@ 
ourselves and mules a little rest, having travelled fifty-seved 
miles since starting the morning before. We had campeé 
just at the outskirts of the mezquit forest, and, as it prove? 
next morning, on the edge of the dry, streamless plateau. * 
range of mountains bounded us, all through the day ane 
night, on our left, and appeared to be a continuation of ne 
