40 



TAMPICO ALTA. 



with the wild country into which we immediately plunged ; 

 while, in the eye of the predatory spectator, there was 

 that in the glitter of our arms and the resolute look of the 

 party which must have commanded respect, and quelled 

 the desire of plunder. But that you may better judge 

 yourself, I present you with the following extract from 

 our muster roll. 



In advance rode Don Alberto, Don Carlos, and Don 

 Carlos Jose, mounted upon three steeds of doubtful ped- 

 igree — Blanco, Rosso, and Pinto, which had been kindly 

 pressed upon our purchase by worthy acquaintances in 

 Tampico, as possessing a thousand virtues, fitting them 

 for the peculiar purpose for which we required them, 

 and no faults but such as were to be absolutely of no ac- 

 count to us. When they dozed — which was often — the 

 prick of the enormous Spanish spurs which jingled at our 

 heels incited them to action ; and when once upon a time 

 we found them too lively, the pressure of the powerful 

 Spanish bit soon reduced them to order. For the jour- 

 ney we preferred using the European saddle rather than 

 the Mexican, and had accordingly included them in our 

 purchases in New-Orleans. 



We were all armed with holster pistols and sabres, to 

 which Pourtales and myself added our double-barrelled 

 guns. M>Euen had furnished himself in New Orleans 

 with a formidable dragoon sabre of such length that it 

 quite put the light curved cimeters of his companions to 

 the blush. Our costume was a marvellous mixture of 

 European and Mexican ; the serape, the sombrero with 

 its silver band, the scarlet sash, and jacket of the latter 

 having been adopted, while the residue of the male out- 

 fit was European. 



Our train was very long, and composed as follows : 

 Two armed and mounted, ill-looking serving men, clad 

 in the costume of their country, by name Juliano and 

 Miguel — rogues both. The former had now been our 

 equery and valet for a month. He was a smooth-look- 

 ing varlet, with a soft voice, small and active person and 

 habits. Now that he had money, there was an affecta- 

 tion of spruce trimness in his clothing. He was in all a 



