TO SANTA CRUZ. 
387 
miglity convulsions had rent the mountain asunder, 
and deep ravines worn by the torrents of centuries, 
appeared on every side. Bare rocks projected here 
and there, gray and mossy with age, and appearing 
like ruined castles. But amid all this sterile grandeur 
there was a rich and varied vegetation. The graceful 
agave thrust up its tall and slender stem from among 
the rocks ; the yucca and Spanish bayonet monopo- 
lized as usual every spot where there was a few inches 
of earth or gravel ; while the fouquiera with its thorny 
stems was well represented. Cedar and stunted oaks 
jutted from many little depressions where there was 
sufficient soil to give them a foothold. 
Mr. Thurber, who went to examine the opposite 
side of the valley, reported that a passage for mules 
might be found in that direction by following an old 
Indian trail which passed the ruined hacienda; but 
for a wagon no egress could be discovered. No alter- 
native now remained but to retrace our steps with the 
wagon, or to transfer its contents to the banks of the 
mules and abandon it. I decided on the latter 
course. Being without pack-saddles, we took as sub- 
stitutes our tents and wagon cover, which were folded 
in a convenient form and laid over the mules’ backs. 
Our blankets were converted to the same use ; and 
then five mules were prepared for their loads. The 
contents of the wagon were then put upon the mules 
and fastened as securely as possible. The next, thing 
to be done was to cut a passage through the jungle with 
axes, to enable us to cross the stream and valley. This 
being accomplished, we moved off, leaving the wagon, 
harness, tables, camp-stools, and such other articles as 
we could dispense with without serious inconvenience. 
