National Republican., 1883-07-03
Their Adventures, sunerlngs, and Disap-
pointments.
Spscfdi Letter.


gether the most forsaken looking place ever
saw, nothing in sight but one long, white,
sandy, alkali plain not green shrub or blade
of grass to relieve the eye; not stream of
water to refresh the dry lips; nothing save
occasionally wagon train or a band of In
dams.
Ou crossing the Colorado line into New
Mexico we assembled the highest range of
mountains early in tho morning, going over
5000 feet above the level of the sea the grade
Of the road being 1856 feet to the mile, and two
engines were required to handle the train,
Upon reaching tho top we entered tunnel
one mile in length and as we emerged there
from we found ourselves in New Mexico. All
nature seemed teeming with beauty. The
morning sun kiss cd our faces, and the cool
mountain air famed our brows, imparting to
us new life and vigor.
We now commenced the descent. Here for
the first time we met with Mexican life
adobe houses, old towns. older than the
United States, in which live the much writ
ten about Pueblo Indians They are quiet,
hard working clas of people, the majority of
them being engaged in agricultural pursuits.
Among other things the soil here produces what
are said to be tho finest grapes in the world.
The Indians deal in trinkets and gems of
many varieties, and at very low figures-the
turquoies the topaz, and the emerald, which
sbound in this section, forming large part
of their wares.
Leaving New Mexico we enteped Arizona
where we again met with the aIkalb sandy
desert, and where could have sworn that
was approaching beautiful lakes and green
fields but alas, ii was a fatal deception, a
delusive mirage which has caused many a
traveller in the flush Of hope to become mad
from despair.
On nearing Mexico tropical scenes pre-
sented themselves to our view, and upon en-
tering that country we beheld cactuses of
every conceivable color, size, and species in
full bloom, some of the plants reaching
height of twenty feet, the air laden with
their perfume. Here we find also the
oleander, the orange, the cocoanut the
palm, the fig, and the date in all their luxuri-
ance
At Hermossilo l was introduced to the
United States consul Mr.. Willard, from Phil
adelphia, who has been here some twenty
years, and who appears to be the right man
in the right place. met him often Mt dinner
at the hotel where put up. The bill of fare
there is choice. Among other things are
served the purest, finest black coffee and the
most tempting wines. Speaking of luxuries,
would say that here had the finest cigars |
ever smoked.
/ was introduced to the club room by the
German consul. The members of the club
support q fine library containing many
paintings, besides books, papers, and periodi-
calls of the day; bowling alleys, billiard sa-
looms, &c. One meets aJ these rooms the best
class Of people. In the town was especially
struck with the surprising beauty of the
women.
The streets are deserted during the day
except by the water carriers The inhab-
tants take their siesta about 4 p. M, after
which they drive until dark, then have sup
per, and about 8 p m. begin to make their
appearance on the plaza The fountains are
set in play, and the scene presents an appear
ance of unwonted gayety and enjoyment.
The houses are principally but one story in
height, but this story covers space equal to
a Washington square. Tho windows have
neither sashes nor glasses, nothing but iron
bars which project from the house, so that
one from the inside can look up and down
the street. The rooms are very high, being,
III consequence, cool and comfortable. The
Aoors are covered with mating, and cots are
used instead of beds.
have not seen n cloud since / have been
here The sun is hot, but there is always
cool breeze from the gulf, and the air is ex-
tremely dry, SO much SO that fresh beef is not
even tainted by being exposed to the sun,
Notwithstanding the fact that the average
temperature is about $50 Il. / feel better
here than ever before in my life.
At Guaymas passed my first Sunday in a
Spanish town. On looking from my window
the first thing saw was Mexican dressed
in fantastic costume, heading u procession
and distributing handbills. The bull-fghters
came next, followed by mounted men. The
people attend church in the morning, and in
the afternoon they are seen at the bull fight.
Much excitement was caused by one of the
bull-fghters being killed. The custom is to
fight number of bulls, aud when the contest
is about over they bring in the widest bull,
and fasten purse of silver on his horns,
which is held up as prize to the one who
conquers the bull The man this time cnti-
tied to the purse waved his large red cloth to
spur Oh the animal. Too soon the bull at
tackled and threw him, but he quickly arose.
When the bull had made the circuit of the
ring he made another dash, caught tho man
in the side of the neck with his horn and
threw him up in the air, tearing his head
completely open. AS they carried him out
the band played and the sport went on as
though nothing unusual had occurred.
We have just had news from the new gold
fields" $50 miles inland from Mulje, on the
coast of lower California, where can be found
millions and millions" of lump mixed with
gravel only one foot under ground aud cover
ing an area 40 by 10 leagues. The gold is
likely to remain there forever for those who
went out (about l50) have most OF them died
by the roadside for want of water, so that
others dare not make " similar attempt.
The first vessel heard from from the gold
fields arrived while | WAS in Guaymas. /
have talked with Miss Nellie eastman, the
first person who left for tho diggugs. She is
woman about 80 years of age, of slight
build, weighing about 100 pounds; is about
A feet 3 inches in height, has dark blue eyes,
brown hair shading an oval face, and is re-
markably intelligent. She came here from
Tombstone, Ariz., with Capt. Joyce and
men. About the middle of April they left
here well equipped for II two months alb
sence. When they landed Mt Trinidad, ON the
coast of lower California, they were all in
good health and spirits, They travelled about
fifteen miles day. On going into the in-
terror they run short Of water, hence made a
halt. Miss eastman told the men that she
would 60 ahead and look for water, and re-
quested them to fire ut intervals so that she
would not get lost. She started on her
perilous journey, climbing high mountains,
picking her steps through crevces falling
among the rocks, and tearing off her clothing
against tho cactus. She hero unfastened q
small bundle she carried, and donned q suit Of
male attire, vowing that she would find water
for the men or perish. Starting again, she
struggled and fought her way down the other
side of the mountain, not living thing in
sight, but burning sun beating down.
Her face became blistered, her lips swollen
and cracked, until she at length realized that
she WIS losing her senses She wandered
around and around, and fell exhausted ON the
rocks, where she was found by some Indians
rla.s .tsfN AaIn