ACROSS THE SIERRA MADRES. 



J. S. BRAITHWAITE. 



Photos by the Author. 



The route chosen by our party followed 

 closely the line of the proposed Kansas City, 

 Mexico & Orient railway from Mihaca, in 

 the heart of Mexico, to Topolobampo bay, 

 on the Pacific. This route is, as far as I 

 could ascertain, the only one through this 

 gigantic range, of mountains; and the 

 scenery along it is of unsurpassed gran- 

 deur. The small Mexican towns and In- 

 dian villages on the route afford opportuni- 

 ties for observing the quaint customs of a 

 people who as yet are ignorant of the out- 

 side world and unspoiled by the tourist. 



provisioned for a month, consisted of 10 

 mules, of which 6 were pack mules, each 

 carrying a load of about 200 pounds. In at- 

 tendance on the mules were 3 Mexican 

 mozos. These are wonderful fellows. They 

 never tire, and are always cheerful and 

 contented. As long as they are provided 

 with sufficient dried beef, beans, coffee and 

 sugar they give no trouble. They pad along 

 behind the mules for any distance, whis- 

 tling and singing, and around the camp fire 

 at night they sing weird, plaintive choruses. 

 I do not know the record on the road for 



MULES WATERING AT A SPRING ON THE TRAIL. 



The American, or, as he is known in Mex- 

 ico, the "Gringo," has an important part to 

 play in that remarkable country, and I was 

 greatly impressed with the admirable tact 

 and patience which characterize his dealings 

 with the Mexicans. Americans now have 

 a reputation for fair dealing with the na- 

 tives. 



The Mexican people are genial, kindly, 

 courteous, and free from impertinent curi- 

 osity. 



For a trip through the Sierra Madres 

 some knowledge of Spanish is imperative. 



We outfitted for our trip at Chihuahua, 

 on the Mexican Central railway, and March 

 16 we took the train to Mifiaea, about 180 

 kilometers West of Chihuahua. There were 

 3 in our party, and our outfit, which was 



these tough, wiry chaps. Our longest con- 

 tinuous performance was 45 miles, at the 

 rate of 5 or 6 miles an hour. We only had 

 one mozo with us on that occasion, but he 

 seemed perfectly fresh on arrival, and start- 

 ed on the return journey the same evening. 

 They wear sandals to protect the soles of 

 their feet, but their heels get horny and 

 cracked. 



The 4 saddle mules were for ourselves 

 and the Chinese cook, a boy, who proved 

 hopelessly incapable. His preposterous at- 

 tempts at bread making, and the confusion 

 to which he reduced our provision boxes 

 were exasperating. 



We each carried blankets in canvas bags, 

 and an ordinary tent fly in case we should 

 need shelter. The latter we used little. 



\7;7 



