482 PARRAS 
CHAPTER XLII. 
PARRAS TO SALTILLO. 
Parras—Its vineyards—Numerous springs—Orchards—Plantations of the 
Agave—Extent of its cultivation—Pulque—Hacienda Arriba—Its ex- 
tensive wine vaults and granaries—Visit to the churches—The Ala- 
meda—Departure from Parras—The Hacienda Abajo—Don Manuel de 
Ibarra and General Wool—Cienega Grande—Ceguin— V equeria—Gigan- 
tic Yuccas—Hacienda de Patos—Don Jacobo Sanchez—His large estates 
—Claims for indemnification on the United States—Village of Peons— 
Encantada—Arrival of a courier with despatches from Washington— 
Buena Vista—The Barrancas—Ramble over the battlefield—Relics 
found—Reach Saltillo—No work ona feast day—Fine church—Cotton 
factories—Dr. Hewison—Economical use of water. 
November 28th to December 1st. We remained at Par- 
ras five days, to repair our wagons. One wheel and 
an axle had to be made new throughout. The delay 
was longer than was needed for the work, in conse- 
quence of the loss of two days by the drunkenness of 
our most important mechanics. We had to submit 
quietly to this imposition, as no others could be found. 
The time passed heavily, as there was but little of 
interest in or about the town, and the sight-seeing was 
soon accomplished. 
Parras is the best built town we had yet seen in 
the country. Many of the houses are of two stories, 
being quite spacious, with courts in the centre, and 
