TO EL PASO. 375 
the hills are easier to pass than at any other, on account 
of the rain, which packs the sand, and prevents the 
wheels from sinking as deep as they would if it was 
entirely dry. 
In this manner we pushed and pulled, making a 
eradual though slow headway, until one o’clock, when 
the mules refused to go further. The poor creatures 
held their noses to the ground, and patiently bore the 
beating of their cruel drivers. It was all to no pur- 
pose; further they would not go. In the five hours 
we had been tugging, we had not made more than 
four miles through the hills, and there were yet about 
two miles more before we should get through. There 
was no alternative left but to remain until morning, by 
which time the animals would get a few hours’ rest. 
As my carratella (little wagon) was quite light, and 
my mules in good condition, I pushed forward, going 
myself on foot, and before four o’clock in the morning 
passed the hills, and reached the place where Mr. 
Leroux had stopped with the packs. Several of the 
wagons also managed to get through, leaving only 
three behind. 
This had been one of the most tedious nights of 
our long journey. Iwas on my feet from 7 o'clock 
in the evening, when we entered the sand-hills, till 
four in the morning, making nine hours, in which time 
we advanced but eight miles. It rained the whole 
night; yet such was my fatigue, that several times, 
when the mules stopped to rest, or became stalled, I 
threw myself on the wet sand and stole a few moments’ 
sleep. 
On reaching camp, I sent back six mules, which, 
