404 RETUKN TO THE UNITED STATES. Book II. 
CHAPTEE XIII. 
Return to the United States — From Chihuahua to the Presidio del Norte — 
Magnificent Desert Scenery — The Presidio and its Environs — The 
Norteiios — Leaton's Fort — An Episode of the Middle Ages — Orological 
Features of the Country from the Presidio to San Antonio de Bexar — 
Details of the Journey — Watering-places — A Cuguar Lair — El Saucillo 
— Porphyry Terrace of San Estevan — Ojo del Berendo — Puerto del 
Paisano, and Ojo del Paisano — Ojo del Leon — Breakfast with a Cuguar 
— Agua Delgada, and Road from El Paso — Ojo de Ahuancha — Ojo Escon- 
dido — Vegetation at the end of May — The Rio Pecos — Post from El Paso 
and bearded Nursemaids — 'Life Oak Creek — Howard Springs — Strayed 
Buffalo — Trees and Shrubs between Pecos and Devil's River — Valley of 
this last — Wild Scenery — Indian Brutality — Gloomy Wilderness — The 
Devil's River again — Old Hut and terrible Recollections — Character of 
the Country farther to the East — Abundant Game — Military Station — 
First Settlement on the Road — Return to Civilization — Stay at San 
Antonio — German Settlement on the Upper Guadalupe — Sudden Rise of 
Texan Rivers — Dangerous Adventure — Indianola — Return to New York. 
The trade in the interior of North Mexico is in such a 
primitive condition that remittances for goods are almost 
always made in coin. The time, therefore, arrived, when 
my friends had to send some cartloads of Mexican dollars 
to the United States : the consignment was to go via 
Texas, and I determined to take this opportunity for 
returning to the East. Our caravan was headed by Don 
Guillermo, of whom I have spoken in former chapters. 
It consisted of seven waggons and about 100 mules, with a 
proportionate body of men ; Don Guillermo considering it 
advantageous to have a surplus of Mexican servants with 
the mules, who, on their return to Chihuahua, would 
become drivers, as it was intended to bring back a fresh 
transport of goods. 
The preparations were soon made. The money was 
