Chap. III. EL PASO. 469 
began to assume a more cheerful aspect. The poplars by 
the water side were nearly in leaf. Crossing an arm of 
the river we reached the island, which contains three con- 
siderable villages, — San Eleazario, Socorro, and Ysleta. 
Peach and pear trees were here in bkssom. No one who 
has not spent months in travelling across an inhospitable 
wilderness can understand the feelings with which I beheld 
once more the indications of civilization and friendly inter- 
course. The island is in some measure protected from 
Indian attacks, and is in part well cultivated. A great 
part, however, consists of sandy tracts, which lie too high 
to admit of irrigation, and are overgrown with saline vege- 
tation and chaparral. 
With Mr. K., I drove on in advance of the caravan to 
El Paso, where we arrived March 23rd. 
