Chap. XII. ELECTEIC BED — KETUKN. 401 
in their fullest beauty. The whole scene was exceedingly- 
picturesque, and would have yielded an artist subjects for 
numerous pictures. 
The first indications of the approaching rainy season 
appeared during our sojourn in El Paso, towards the end of 
April. Hitherto the sky had been clear, but now the clouds 
collected dark and heavy. We had thunder and lightning, 
but no rain, and the sky again became clear. At night I 
was completely frightened, by the electric fire which appeared 
at every movement I made on my couch, in my travelling- 
carriage. I had two woollen blankets over me, and as I 
separated these the sparks flew about me, cracking and 
snapping, and lighting up the whole inside of the carriage. 
When I took hold of the blanket sparks came from the ends 
of my fingers, and I felt a slight pricking. After a time this 
ceased, but it returned again after I had laid still for a while 
under my blankets : beneath me I had a buffalo's skin. 
My commission terminated April 30. I requested of 
the general an escort of ten soldiers for my journey back, 
which was immediately granted me. Thus, in some degree 
tranquillized as to our safety, we set off on the evening of 
the above-named day. Our waggons were light, and we 
therefore resolved to take the much shorter road over 
the Sandhills— los Medanos — as the natives call them. We 
then began to ascend to the right from the valley, drove 
through the night, and arrived the next morning in good 
time at the last watering-place, before our entrance into 
this American sahara in miniature. 
The spring of Samalayuca is a beautiful and delightful 
spot ; a small oasis covered with numerous interesting 
shrubs spreading round a clear spring. Numberless doves 
flitted among them ; and flocks of quails came to drink at 
the water's edge. 
2 D 
