MODE OF CONVEYANCE. 357 



handkerchief round the middle. These men 

 are of a mixed race, between the Indian and 

 the original Spanish settlers ; they are for 

 the most part fine athletic fellows, with good 

 features, and well limbed ; their complexion 

 is dark, and hair the same. 



Most travellers take with them a silltro, 

 who carries a chair similar to the machine 

 above mentioned, except that it has a rest 

 for the arms, and a swinging step for the 

 feet. Placed on this, the traveller is carried 

 on the peons back. I was advised by the 

 Alcalde to take a mule in preference, as I 

 should not be obliged to stop so frequently 

 to rest the peoii. Each peon, except the sil- 

 lerOy takes his own provision, placed on the 

 top of his load, and, in addition, twenty or 

 thirty couple of leaves of the beau-tree, used 

 for covering the rancha, which it is neces- 

 sary to form every evening, to sleep in, as 

 there are but few habitations on the moun- 



