272 
AGUA PRIETA TO 
and a hundred little articles. They seem different in 
many respects from those of the towns on the Rio 
Grande, where contact with the Americans has had 
its effect (would that I could say for good) upon the 
Mexicans. Their manners and habits of living are 
more simple, and their hospitality more warm and 
generous, though with much less means for its display. 
We observe that the oUa^ or earthen pot, which is 
almost their only domestic utensil, is different and 
better finished than that of El Paso. They are also 
borne differently when used as water-jars ; those of El 
Paso being carried on the shoulder, and supported by 
one hand, while the w^omen here, without exception, 
walk with a firm step and erect figure, with these frail 
vessels, frequently containing four or five gallons of 
water, balanced upon their heads. 
The morning before we left, a wild bull was 
brought to us. These animals are pursued by the 
Mexicans on horseback, caught by a lariat, and 
thrown. They are then secured by the horns, the 
tips of which are first sawed off, to a domesticated 
animal ; and thus tied, they come along quietly 
enough. We selected such portions of this animal 
as w^e wanted ; and the remainder, including the head 
and offal, was eagerly seized upon by the people, who 
had been watching the process of butchering with as 
much delight as the starving wolf or buzzard does a 
perishing mule. 
May 28^A Took our departure at seven o’clock, 
and at a short distance passed the first way-^ide cross. 
Though we met them frequently enough afterwards, 
we saw none as striking as this. It was about ten 
