38 
INDIANOLA 
From the lateness of the season there was an uncer- 
tainty about grass ; furthermore, by the recent arrivals 
from El Paso, I learned that the prairies had been 
burned by the Indians a considerable portion of the 
way, and that it would be absolutely necessary to trans- 
port a considerable quantity of corn to keep the ani- 
mals in good trim, and enable them to cross the desert 
portions of the route. The quartermaster, therefore, 
sent in advance to the military post on the Leona, 90 
miles distant, several wagon-loads of corn, and made 
arrangements to carry as much in the train as pos- 
sible, without overburdening it. In these various pre- 
parations, and the shoeing of the additional animals, 
about two weeks were spent. During this time the 
party remained encamped at the San Pedro Springs, 
about a mile and a half from the town. These springs, 
of which there are several, gush out of crevices in the 
limestone rock ; and their united waters form a small 
river, which runs through the town, and unites with the 
San Antonio three or four miles below it. 
The view of San Antonio from a distance, as it is 
approached by the Victoria road, is exceedingly beau- 
tiful. The place seems to be embowered in trees, 
above which the dome of the church swells with an 
air quite Oriental. But this pleasing impression is 
soon dissipated on entering the town, and making 
one’s way among the filthy buildings of the Mexican 
suburbs to the plaza, or public square. The town is a 
strange mixture of massive old Spanish buildings and 
recent American structures. But upon the plaza the 
modern buildings have for the most part superseded 
the ancient; though some few remain, seeming lost 
