368 CORRELITOS 
our course was north-east without variation, over a 
slightly undulating plain, covered with grama grass. 
A. dark line of trees now showed itself far in the dis- 
tance, indicating a water-course, which we reached at 
5 o'clock, and which proved to be the Santa Maria. 
The road had been excellent since leaving Correlitos, 
including the mountain defile. A heavy cloud arose 
as we approached the stream ; and we had barely got 
our tents pitched and well stayed, before it burst over 
our heads, accompanied by a violent wind. 
When a few miles from camp this morning, a man 
eot up from behind a bush, where he appeared to have 
been concealed, and joined the train. He proved to 
be a Mexican, who wished to accompany us to El 
Paso. Soon after two men on horseback overtook us, 
and handed me a note from the superintendent of the 
mine, stating that one of his men had run away, and 
asking permission to take him in case he had joined 
our train. I could not, of course, interfere in the 
matter, and gave orders that the men should not be 
obstructed in arresting the runaway. The poor fellow, 
who was a peon, was very reluctant to return; but his 
captors were armed with sabres and rifles, and all 
resistance was unavailing. As we journeyed on, we 
saw blows inflicted on the poor creature, who was, no 
doubt, destined to spend the remainder of his days at 
hard labor for the benefit of his owner. Our Mexican 
arrieros were anxious to liberate him; but as we were 
on Mexican territory, with liberty to go whither we 
pleased in the performance of our official duties, inter- 
ference would have been unjustifiable. 
August 13th. We remained two hours longer than 
