IN SOUTHWESTERN CHIHUAHUA. 269 
red, yellow, and green, magnificent and 
fantastic, fading away into other bar¬ 
rancas to the right and left. Here we 
paused, seven thousand feet above the 
valley, and looked at the wonderful pano¬ 
rama spread before us, celebrated even 
among these grand old mountains—by 
the few who have penetrated their fast¬ 
nesses—as one of the most famous views 
and formidable descents in the whole 
range. The guides carefully examined 
all the packs and saddles, and every strap 
and rope was tightened and made secure. 
All were directed to remain in their 
saddles, as the descent was too steep and 
the way too dangerous for walking, the 
path or trail being covered with loose 
rolling stones. We had been told to 
give the mules their heads, and trust to 
their being perfectly sure-footed, for in 
