20 
INDIANOLA 
brought his company into such a state of discipline, 
that it made a very respectable appearance. The 
saddles, bridles, and trappings, were the same as those 
of the U. S. Dragoons ; the uniform, blue flannel shirts, 
dark pantaloons, and broad-brimmed white felt hats. 
The dress of the rifles was scarlet flannel shirts, the 
rest of the uniform the same as the cavalry. 
The town of Victoria, which we have just left, is 
one of the most flourishing inland towns in Texas. It 
stands on the banks of the Guadalupe River, and, being 
in the midst of a fertile region, possesses a good trade. 
At the time of our visit, in September, 1850, it had 
three public houses, numerous stores, mechanics’ shops 
of various kinds, a weekly newspaper, and a court- 
house. The latter ediflce always brings with it, in 
new countries, numerous accessories. The court was 
in session at the time of our visit, and appearances 
indicated that a good deal of law and justice was dis- 
pensed here. The house, being of limited dimensions, 
could scarcely contain those whom business brought 
here, and the numerous idlers who have a propensity 
for hanging round country courts. Many were there- 
fore obliged to spend their time in the shade of the 
fences and trees near by ; and when required as wit- 
nesses, the constables came outside the building and 
called out their names to the full extent of their lungs ; 
a primitive mode of doing business, though attended 
with much more comfort for the witnesses, than if 
obliged to be pent up in a closely confined room for 
hours and days together. How the juries were dis- 
posed of I did not learn ; they could not, at any rate, 
carry them out into the high grass, as was customary 
