A TOLTEC BABYLON. 
77 
There was but very little out of the 
usual routine of travel for a day or two, 
until we came to the third crossing of 
the Casas Grandes River, at a point so 
near its entrance into Laguna Guzman 
that we felt sure we would have no 
trouble in getting over. For, as I have 
already explained, most of the rivers in 
this country are larger the nearer you 
approach their heads. There had been 
no rains to swell the streams, and our 
surprise can therefore be imagined when, 
upon reaching the river, we found it a 
raging torrent. A long experience had 
taught me that it does not pay to await 
the falling of a swollen river; so we 
set at work to get over the obstreperous 
stream. The loads were all piled on the 
seats, above the empty wagon beds, which, 
being thus weighted and top-heavy, acted 
