The Arkansas advocate., 1836-05-20

l u HA aheH plillAaNe HaktdneSs- pc 1n- dian girl who appeared now and then as she moved in and out of the kitchen, vas dirty m the extreme, clad only in cheulisc ard petticoat, us dirty as herself. Dnestlnn ourselves of our blankets and extra cloth ing, we gave ourselves np entirely to the influence of the fire and the hopes of sup. pef--for your mountain storm is strange sharpener of the appetite. Contrary to our fears, ihe supper came m a reasonable space of time, and We did good justice to the pounded dry buffalo meat, the beans and the b!oodred dish of meat and pepper, all of them inseparable from New Mexi- can table, and forthwith consigned our- selves to the blankets and matrasses of our landlady.
 On seating ourselves by the fifeside the next morning, we found ourselves favored with the company of our hostess's father. 4 quaint looking old man was Don Diego, with his little sharp hat, and little sharp chin, with short leathern brooches, era5 stockings, and Apache mocasins, together with his coarse rough frock of woollen fla bric. During the age of preparation ne- cessary, as l before hinted, to prepare a meal, upon me, as the only linguist of the party, fell the task of conversing with the old tnan--aad seeth te say, ] found him neither q foolish nor an unnteresting com panion. Among other matters. was struck with one legend which he related 10 me, and for the truth of which he vouched. 1t struck me, not on account of any peeu- liar novelty in the incidents or the catastro- phe, but because 1t goes far to prove the fact, of which we are getting every day more Ind more convinced, that there is more of romauce in real life than in fiction, as also that the fire of passion and the depth of affection can exist under the most ad- verse circumstances, and in the toughest and most uncutivated breasts.
 It is now several years since a mounted man was seen, just at the close of fine day in August, 10 ride over the last small hills of the rocky barrier to the south of Fl Embudo, and approach the village, followed by two or three pack mules and Spanish servant. The sun was just approaching 10 the western naoiintains, filing the sky with the splendid flush of loveliness which rem ders the sunset scenes of New Mexico un- surpassed even by those of New England.
  Over the whole sky, even 10 the tops of the eastern hlls, the clouds were full Of surpass- ing brillidhcy and beauty. Hues of every shade, from the ligbtest silver to the deepest purple, and at every instant changing, gath cred in the heaven as the sun slowly fell be- meath the mountains. The valley, into which the trader was now entering, was but scantly greened over with grass and tall dry weed which, even in summer, has look of banenness; but just around the village, which; low. doll and silent, lay ill the centre of the valley, the level expanse of wheat and corn gave it an appearance of fertility, which in truth it hardly deserves.
 The the trader, as he approached the town, seemed an object of curiosity to various ln- divduals who were to be seen seated at the doors of. the houses, all of themi of both sexes, with their never failing companian, 2 segar of punche (their country tobacco,) rolled in slip of corn husk. At this time, which was just at the commencement of the American trade to the country, the common people were not so well accustomed 10 the sight of Americans as at present. Then, the high hat, the long coat, the boots, the fuii pantaioons, seemed to them odd and ouire; and they gazed upon the wearer as singular curiosity. Amid various ejacula- tions-for the New Mexicans are not people to restrain or hide their surprise or admiration-the foreigner moved steadily through the town towards the oute. edge of 1t, obedlent 10 mute sign of direction given by his servant. One group, particularly, seemed interested by his arrival There were two old men with their dress of lea ther and coarse woolen, woman with her hair turned gray, and one of middle age, a young man, and a girl of some fifteen years. In the door way, foo, stood an Indian girl, with her Nabajo blanket, black, with red border, just round her middle, and answer ing for gown.
 Mira! Don santiagon said one of the old men to the other--sthere comes one these strangers that have arrived now for years to our land'
 Yes, brohery' was the answer, and no doubt he comes well faden with goods to fish away the pesitos little dolfars) of us poor.'
 And good exchange resumed the oth- CT, to barter our musiy gold and silver for the useful and beautiful thiags he brings. Every pelayo has his hands full of dollars, and his legs cased in leather lay, and his back, for not til now has he been offered shirt
 s3s to your gold, Amigo Kamon,' an swered Don Santiago, T sec and know but little of if; but what little silver l have, yalgame Dios y La Yrgen! it is better be-
 | I. .f