362 JESUS DOMINGUEZ. Book IT. 
Villa de la Concepcion, and on the road to the mines of 
Jesus Maria, perhaps simply to correct the injustice of 
Dame Fortune at the gaming-table. In proportion, how- 
ever, to the degree of courage needed for snch a journey 
was the flattering nature of the invitation to me ; and, as I 
had been looking out for a travelling companion who would 
afford me some security in an excursion to the Sierra Madre, 
I could return the same compliment to DonGuillermo which 
he had paid me, and therefore agreed to his proposal. A 
carriage with two excellent horses formed our means of 
locomotion. Don Guillermo drove, while in dangerous 
places I sat next him with my gun on my knees, ready to fire. 
I had a double-barrelled gun, and he the same, with the ad- 
dition of a rifle, in the carriage. Each of us, besides these, 
had a pair of Colt's six-shot revolvers of the largest calibre. 
A servant, the same Jesus Dominguez of whom I have 
already made honourable mention in the foregoing chapter, 
rode before our carriage, and was armed with a rifle and 
two single-barrelled pistols. Altogether we had thus 
thirty-two balls always in readiness. 
Jesus Dominguez was of as much value to us as an 
escort of ten common servants. Courageous men prefer 
in this country a small but trustworthy travelling party to 
a large caravan. Our servant would have been scalped 
alive rather than have deserted us ; and I would willingly 
give the reader some description of his character. He 
was as gentle as a child, and this gave a great charm to 
his large and powerful frame. His temper was hot, but 
completely under control, and on this account he would 
never be tempted to touch spirituous drinks. Withal he 
was a humourist and a philosopher, and liked to make 
his remarks upon any phenomena. He was an excellent 
mimic : he could perfectly imitate the Indians in the 
