The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1869-01-15
sOJOURN IN LOWER CALIFORNIA.

AHO J1ldt WOHQTOuS NISAOn
SOJOURN IN LOWER CALIFORNIA.
The obstacles usually in the way of
camping out at night are foreign to this
climate. AT this season of the year
rain is stranger; the air is slightly
impregnated with moisture and the sea
breezes prevail day and night, hence
there is no dew. AS we lay down i'll
the sand to rest we had nothing to fear
but the sorio. They resemble our skunk
in all respects but size, being smaller.
They have the hydrOphobia during the
dry season and become SO bold as to at
tack one at any time, when he is lying
down, and grasp him by the nose. The
natives avoid such unpleasant collisions
by wrapping serrappa or light blan-
aet around the face.
As we resumed our journey the day
following we passed over country al
ternating with hills and valleys. About
mid-aftern0on we take northeast
course across an extensive plateau.
About the time when fowls seek lodg-
ings we were out OR the barren waste
far from hamaA habitations, hungry,
thirsty and weary. About nine o'clock
we came to a small stream coursing
along over the sand. 1t was indeed
WCkCOIi0 ulCSSChzSI1 Sldu IL
dings to our faint hearts and our faint
er stomachs. The stream was spread
over so much surface that we were
obliged to scoop out pools in the sand
to enable our beasts to drink. In or
der to quench our thirst we lay down
fall length on tire sand, and intercept
ing the stream turned it into our capa-
cious mouths. All the water is quite
warm, whether it comes from the heart
of the mountain or the sandy plain, ow-
ing, doubtless, to the high temperature
of the tropics. Our provisions consist
ed of sardines and crackers, and after
satisfying our appetites with these we
went about four miles farther, over
road as rocky, as thorny and as tedious
as history can boast of, and suddenly we
came to halt; when we forced from
our guide the fact that he had thought
to lead us by shorter route, but had
lost his way. Imagine our Indignation
when we were Informed that we mus
retrace our steps over this wretched
road of four miles. We camped here,
however, mid snakes, scorpions and
other nuisances, determined to rest ere
retracing our steps, that by day light
VIC might see for ourselves.
About sunrise next morning we reach
ed the stream again which we crossed
the night previous, and taking the plain
road we went on our way rejoicing.
After crossing several hills we reached
the summit of the last about nine a. m,
and espied lone hut down at the foot
of the sierra. Being hungry and thirsty
we scampered away over rocks and
brush, in advance of the train, hoping
to find something to refresh us. We
soon reached the cabin, and dismount-
ing we entered and found two dark
nd foVT onln or
selves to the elderly one, viz: "Tienne
" leche v pan para cOmer," and we
were soon furnished with all the bread
and milk about the premises, which was
about a quart of milk and a piece of
| bread as large as q canteen. Having
consumed this we plead for more, but
neither our necessities nor our silver
could induce them to get more. Ask
ing what our bill was, they agreed to
let US off at one dollar. On another oc-
casion we met with a generous soul
who provided all our company from a
large tin pail with all the milk we could
drink, aud proposed to charge us TWEEN
| ty-fve cents i'll toto. There was evident
ly quite a difference of judgment be-
tween these individuals. Alas for con-
science! it is sadly perverted i'll some
persons.
About three p. m. we passed through
the town of Las Gallinas (the hens,
which is situated on the east bank of 8
stream, along whose margin are groves
of orange, lemon, pomegranite, etc
We bought several hatfujs of the form
er for the sum of one dime. A more
delicious moysel than fine ripe orange
believe we never tasted, When jus
from the tree they are of a golden hue
almost bursting with juice, the rind 50
| full of oil that it gushes out forciblN
when the fruit is penetrated by the nail
About four miles east of Las Gallina
is a chain Of hills running north anC
south, and on the east side of the chail
are three spurs reaching out toward thu
gulf. The middle spur terminates quit
abruptly about five miles east of tn
chain, and at its base is situated tn
town of San -Antonio-the other tyVt
spurs continue to the gulf. The tow
is cut into three divisions by a stream
coming from the northwest around til
base of the spur and forming junction
with the main stream, which come
from the west. In the western quartz
of the town and near the foot OF tn
spur is q spring of water clear as crys
| tai aud of sufficient volume to suppl
the whole town. The water boils u
through the sand and gravel. 1t ha
been enclosed in neat stone building
which Is kept locked, ana the Key is
the care of the alcalde, who seems to b
q the father of the town and regulate
] these public institutions according t
his pleasure. The spring is on the wes
side of the plaza or public square an
about ten feet above its level. In tn
center of the plaza is a fountain but
of masonry and the basin is OF suff
cient capacity to allow score of beast
e TO drink at 6nce. The principal bus
ness houses of the Mexicans border o
the plaza, while most of the foreign e
ement is found in the eastern quartz
of town. On the south of the aroy
Gas all these dry streams are ealled) an
E, along the foot of the hills the native
have congregated their huts- The built
:, ings are on the old Mexican plan, While
shall have description in subsequeI
IA article. Population about 900, inelat
ing foreigners There Is little or
/; arabic land about here; the gener
physical aspect Is rough, rocky and ste
;; lie. Water Is scarce, hence irrlgatac
u il difficult. Occasionally . garden
II grove may be seen along the stream
Tobe continued
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