A444. CHIHUAHUA 
present quite a picturesque appearance. Rocky strata — 
of various colors are seen, and the summits of the hills 
are crowned with masses resembling works of art. 
About half way through, on the right, is a fine spring, 
and near by a deserted rancho, now in a state of ruin. 
What object any one could have in occupying such a 
spot, I cannot imagine; for there seemed to be no land 
fit for cultivation or for grazing. In this cafion isa 
conical hill, around which winds a spiral road, and on 
whose summit is a stone parapet, the work of some 
ancient people. 
A. little further on, we passed another rancho ; from 
the top of the parapet peeped a few heads, and in 
. their midst a huge blunderbuss mounted on a swivel, 
probably to overawe the Indians. On emerging from 
the cafion, we entered a broad plain, extending to the 
south as far as the eye could reach. A few isolated 
hills were alone seen in the far distance. The plain 
here was about twenty-five miles wide. Tive or six 
miles further brought us to Bachimba, a cluster of 
about a dozen houses, with a fine spring of water, 
which is retained in a pond by a wall below it. From 
this, the water is conducted to some gardens, in which 
I noticed many fig-trees. This place is noted for its 
fine apples; but. we were unable to procure any to 
satisfy us of the truth of the report. Here we encamp- 
ed, after a march of twenty miles. 
November 3d. A train of wagons from Chihua- 
hua, belonging to Sefior Olivares, joined us last night, 
and left again before daylight. We continued our 
journey over the same plain as before, in a direction 
about south south-east, the road being excellent. Grass 
