The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-07-04
THE HAYDEN SURVEY.
PROGRESS OF THE EXPEDITION NoRTE--
SCIENCE AND SHELLS.

oN1ENNG AMI DhDAAA>
SAN JUAN CITY, June %, 1875.
The town OF Del Norte lies near the south bank
OF the Rio Grand Del Norte. Its population is est
mated at $500. but q large percentage Of this is
merely transient, leaving when warm weather
sets in and the passes are opened for the San Juan
mining districts. A considerable portion OF the
Inhabitants OF Del Norte are Mexicans, whose
Villas N we may use the expresslonl are built all
around the suburbs. These aDodes consist OF ore
story log cabins, plastered externally with adobe
clay, IN front OF which is the inseparaDle dome
shaped little oven, resembling q miniature Esqui-
maux hut, for all their baking ID done in the open
air. Sometimes there are several cabins sdjoin-
ing, looking ike one long dwelling from
the back, where there are openings,
but they are separated internally into small
square apartments, with q window ana door in
front opening out on continuous poruco. Rough
as these structures are they suggest the idea OF
comfort which Is only dispeed by sight OF the
swarms OF ragged Orown-faced urchins ana Idle
men and women who lounge around the premises.
A little incident occurred to us in connection with
one OF these Mexican men which may be worthy
OF note, and the story might be written in novel
form under the title, "1he Adventures OF War
Bag; or, the Homes, Greaser." Mr.. Jackson and
having gone on ahead OF the train 70 see to our
mail in Del Norte, waited at the Post once for the
boys to come up. When they arrived we discov-
cred that one Of the war bags had been dropped
along the way, ana as 1t contained all the ward
robe and ersonal effects OF one OF the party we
sent back Bob, one Of the packers, 10 make
inquiries on the Ioad About an hour after
Mexican rode up the principal street
at rapid gait with roll OF blankets
strapped behind him on the saddle.
noticed that the bundle was almost too bulky for
a MRyIeau,a and in
vicious state | ran out and stopped him. We
must have been she very parry he had been
searching lor Judging from the startled look with
which he greeted my familiarity. Taking the
liberty Of brief acquaintance, pseped II at one
end OF the blankets and discovered what had
strong likeness to the butt END OF war bag. Not
being coDversant with the Spanish language, and
my companion being equally innocent OF all Eng
sh, our conversation concise and to the point.
pointed to the bag, then to myself and then down
the road. throwing In such intersections and
grunts az l thought might emphasize the idea.
This might be translated, THAT bag was dropped
by me down the road.n The fellow put on an In
jnred look OF surprise, but seeing that he was
cornered, repaired with me TO the curDstone TO
negotiate with me for the plunder In the mean
time Mr.. Jackson had come ont TO assist, and he
seemed 10 be the most astonished man In the
group.
The Greaser united the blankets. delivered over
the bag meekly (Which noticed looked rather
naboyl and tnen proceeded to disencumber him.
SELF First he pulled q clean handkerchief out OF
one pocket and returned II, then he took look
ing glass from another, g brandy nask from
third, towel and soap from fourth and so on
through the whole catalogue Of pockets. His gar
ments seemed to have been constructed solely or
old pockets. Feeling kindly toward the old man
after these harro wing performances, we offered
him . drink from the mask and dollar as re-
ward for his painstakInR honesty. But alas for
human greatness, the flask was empty; however
he accepted the money as a natural consequence
counted over the quarters deliberately, looked
at rs as ne appreciated our nberatty
but, nevertheless, thought honesty 8 cneap
drug in the market where we came from,
and then, wishing TO have US prove
our property so as TO &c sure OF no
mistakes, muttered the WORD cdrrettd (which
means in the vernacular ''cart'9, accompanied
by signs illustrative OF cropping, and seemed
satisfied wnen we told him it nad dropped from
our wagon and that we had been hunting for It,
No doubt he had fingered behind after he saw
it drop. to give us d greater surprise when ne
should return 1t alter we had given 1t up for
lost Wishing us "adtos' ne rode slowly away, a
sadder but Q wiser man.
The Del Norte ana Animas wagon road which
runs up the Rio Grande, was constructed ana
is owned by a company About fifteen miles
above the south FORK OF the river is toll house,
and In order to compare the rates OF toll In
this country with the penny tolls OF our eastern
macadalnIzsd roads, the notice conspicuOusly ex.
hioited at this place is given below
RATES OF TOLL.