The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1877-07-05
SAY LrcAs SpR1sns
STATE OF CoAHUILA, MEXICO,
juno Is. 1877.

0ubS loi loii.
\ Editors Democratic iStateSman- I'm
PEELED by desire TO recover the para
mount object and most precious boon
Of hfe-heaith-I have at length wan.
dered away from scenes familiar and
dear and sought refuge among the
mountains of the Sierras IN this won
derful '.ltaly OF the Occident." And
q, bethink me Of promise to com
municate with you in my travels, will
lGridt the present passing moments
and attempt to ride them in
your interest and service. Some
three weeks past, while stopping
at Eagle Pass with Captains Halls
company Of rangers. ] met u Mr..
Dial, a lawyer Of Uvalde, who, |
learned, while in conversation with
him one day, was contemplating trip
to the springs for the recuperation OF
his health. IL occurred me as this was
my only object and aim in travelling
West, had better avail myself of this
happy opportunity and become his
companion in his travels. Intimating
this notion, he Immediately besought
me to accompany him as he was about
to make the trip alone. very readi-
ly acceded to his wishes, and in few
days we were ON the road, seated in a
wagon behind two Texas ponies. We
found no trouble in passing from Pie
dras Negras to this place; saw but
very few troops, although We could
hear OF quite number on the war
all. Gen. Valdez (Winker), the only
officer in arms for the restoration OF
I4erdo de Tejada to the pres dcncy
of this Republic, is causing a little ex
element along the Rio Grande and for
nearly hpnds-1 - - si'S az III
the Mexicans further in from the river,
nor single one who would assume his
cause. All that creates any excitement
or CONSERVATION among them is the
fear OF his rushing in upon them and
seizing all their worldly goods as well
. as their pesos and doubloons.
Dlaz is decidedly the fsvorite claim
ant of the place of power, and he has
quite large body OF troops in close
proximity to the Rio Grande ready at
any time to resist an invasion or quell
an instruction. But as / am not much
interested IN Mexican politics or who
shall reign obviously over this waYward
country, opulent in braying burrOs and
drowsy buzzards, l will, pass to scenes
and subjects which will prove far more
interesting and agreeable to your fair
and gallant readers.
The road from Piedras NegraS, as far
out as the mountains, Is almost as level
and free from impediments as a turn
pike. In fact, / never drove over Il
finer natural road; but as my compan-
ion suggested it is capital for making
a successful end of horse. The
wheels of vehicle chase each other
80 easily, you see. We found plenty
of food for us and provender for the
horses along the way; but the vendors
of said articles demanded price which
at time made our American eyes stare
and .tw nkle. Beef 12 1-2 cents per
pound; Il, rs, % cents dozen; corn
81. 80 per bushel, and other things, nc
matter II it was dog, in proportion.
Speaking of dogs reminds me just here
ofthe Gu rent price of such animals
along the Q highways. Iasked a greaser
one day what he considered his canine
companion worth, and he very blandly
answered, and that, too, with patron
izing, patrician air, that he could not
think of parting with his little flee
dorg for any amount less than twenty
pesos ($20)-yes, sir, only ta0enty great
bright, argent dollars for an ugly cur
canine. Upon receiving such stun
ming and startling reply, / forth with
wilted, and in few moments thereaf.
ter was happily lost I'm maiden medi,
tation," dreaming not of maids, but
fancying what a grand success thai
cheeky ''greaser" would have manu-
featured of himself had he only beer
horn Yankee, but now (alas, for the
thought he must exc out an otherwise
noble xistence in his own unapprCci
alive country, "a youth to fortune and
to fsme unknown" But, however
upon second consideration of this sub
iect, / am inclined to the belief
that man who can ask twenty dollar.
for worthless ''purp" might not in
the course of events be backward il
demanding the scepter and the crown
of this land of fugitive rule. But "a
Grant. In good spirits and with broker
down horses, my genial and agreeable
companion and myself arrived at Sar
h asa rancho in three miles of tht
springs-after five days out from Eagle
Fass-that being two weeks since.
tins rancho we procured fresh animals
and proceeded to ascend the noun
famous road that led through q Ions
and awful canyon up to the springs
At this salubrious watering place We
expected to find many other American!
who had preceded us, but as VT
reached our point of destination
we discovered that it had beer
deserted by all save few Mexi
cans, the white families having
left the day before our arrival
At first thrill OF distrust and vague
feeling of suspicion passed through
my mind as / contemplated the situa
ton. Here We were, only two Amer
cans, forced to camp among, and com
panion with, lot OF Mexican pel0H
and surrounded by mountains SO higl
and rugged that before fellow go
fairly started up one Of them he woulC
aAdly need the aid OF a bellows, o
some other germinator of wind to re
place his exhausted lungs. To speal
the truth, things looked ominous and
dubious no little. and, to go further
We are still in the same predlcament
But we find 1t written IA house SCI
upon a rock, that house shall stand,
or something to that effect and hav,
my bed upon rock, for verify there
Is nanght else but rocks in all this dis
NAL region.
The boss OF the Mexican part,
here Is oapitdR in the arm,
OF Diaz. He is very unwell
in fact, he seemeth afflicted like unit,
the pious old man which we are told o
by the prophets. BY name job, but
not like job, this gallant warrior ha
money, and although his friends may
have deserted him, yet his servants ar
not few who minister unto his wants
But despite this advantage over tn
poor Knocked man of God, think
would far rather have been in his raw
hide sandals than now to step into IN
fine Morocco boots Of this once dash
irg cdhalleFo. And Pm not making
''theologicsr antithesis of this, either
The springs here flow out of q cave
The largest, and the one whose ours
tive properties are most powerful, is a
the ea;rAnce, while many other smalle
ones spriug up far back in this CAV
ern, and il requires the aid c
lighted lamp to explore thei
sources. Many of the springs ar
Of clear, cool water, while the create
are tepid and have strong miners
taste. The effect which / have exper