New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-11-15

moment, has kept him in position, and i'm
mediateiy the petate with its living load
| plides down the inclined plane, the guide
steering it with his stock, and retarding its
speed if necessary by pressing his heels into
| the snow.
In this manner, one after another, we
went sailing down the long. smooth slope,
| the gentlemen hallOOing. the ladies laugh
ing. the snow flying of upon either side like
water from the prov OF fast steamer, and
| the guides calling to US continually to keep
steady on our seats. 1t was a novel and
exciting race, / assure You. and ali agreed
! that il was the most splendid "cOasting"
| we had ever experienced. Our only regret
was. that it was SO soon ended, for n six
minutes from the time of starting we ae-
cornplished the distance which II had re-
quired nearly six hours hard labor to
traverse in an opposite direction. Ex-
hilarated and refreshed by our easy and
exciting ride we set off through the sand
for the Rancho, some on horses and some
on foot and in an hours time found our.
selves in tho Same smoky but hospitable
apartment, whence We had set OFT 70
eOlemnly at one o'clock in the morning.
Although it was only q little after midday
when We arrived, it was not deemed expe-
dent to return to Ameca- that same
Afternoon. and we remained, therefore,
another night at the Rancho. the dscOm-
forts Of which were lost sight OF entirely
under the influence OF the excellent dinner
Or bread coup, boiled chicken, and frijoles,
prepared for us 10y Senior Conchado. and the
subsequent nights rest. which We now
enjoyed.
morning. greeted upon the way by mag
niticent view of the TOluca range of noun
tains, among which the captain of the host,
Nevada de TOluc2. was distinctly recog-
nized by his shake. For some miles before
reaching our destination. the extensive and
indescribably beautiful valley OF Ameca-
MEGA, with it's far famed sacred mountain,
its numerous villages, its cultivated fields,
and it's panorama of surrounding peaks,
formed an exquisite picture beneath US.
Such was the interest manifested in the
village to see the first ladies VINO had ever
assembled to the top of the Vulcan, and
such the generous pride felt by the warm
hearted administrator, Senior Llanos, in the
three herOines, that it was soon determined
TO give ball in honor of the latter.
Whereupon our dear old friend had no
sooner furnished us with a sumptuous dim
ner than he started off. the ladies protest
ing, in search OF musicians and to invite
the guests. In this he was eminently sue
cessful, tor, at nine o'clock in the evening,
in marched a band of six performers, fol-
lowed, few minutes later. by forty or fifty
ladies and gentlemen in very unpretendiDg
costumes, who, having paid their respects
to the fair trio, after the manner of the
country, were soon engaged in dancing
the dignified "Habanero." Later on. by
special request, one of the more popular
fandange dances was performed tor our
benefit; cakes, cheese, pulque and wine
we're passed around and as no Spanish OF
Mexican entertainment is complete without
at least q mOrsel of poetry. an extempore
metrical address was pronounced by Senior
Torres as a toast, followed by one OF shorter
dimensions, but equally complimentary in
its language, by Senior Conchado. Mr..
Wilson, of our party, replied effectively in
simple prose for the ladies. and soon after
midnight we all slipped off to our much
coveted beds. leaving the gay company to
finish the night without our presence. The
next morning we took the diligence and
returned to Mexico after the most remark
able and one of the most agreeable of the
many excursions which we have made
since We have been in this country OF mag.
nlfcsnt and beautiful scenery. To Mr..
George SkiIton, who SO annually and skill
FULLY managed the affair. we feel most
deeply grateful. I. G. X.