The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-05-13

pufllOliS Dou JOBo lie lkdbcOu, most lntci-
ligent and agreeable gentleman, and one Of
the great land atroprietors Of Mexico,
through whose land we had travelled many
miles. lie owns more than l, 900, 900 acres,
inherited through One Of the Spanish crown
grants, and cultivates sugar, corn and cof-
fee. He has recently erected sugar mill
on one OF his hHciendas, about thirty miles
from here, which cost him for machinery
alone over $l50,000, and we are using some
OF the sugar, the first white-loaf ever made
in Mexico. He has travelled in Europe
and the United States. Speaks French
and English we'll, his diction Of the latter
remarkably flne.. We regretted much to
part with him and hope to visit his haci-
enda. At the terminus OF the road we met
our animals. Taking only some necessary
articles, and leaving our trunks to come on
by pack-train, we started on our hard ride.
We took breakfast Tour dinner) at Benja-
min Camp, where we were nicely served,
and continued our ride until nearly dark,
and then stopped with Mr.. Corden at his
camp, just at the foot OF the mountain and
the great canon. We were most hospita-
bly, entertained by this Italian gentleman
in his large and well appointed camp,
beautifully located on the Canoas river,
and much interested in observing the
Mexicans, in their bamboo hats, make tor
tillas, etc., or strolling around with their
immense sombreros, and every man with
shawl or blanket wrapped around him,
and the end over the shoulder, all in Pc
culiar but graceful manner.
In the morning we started, the ladies on
bronchos and on burro, with too pack
burros and luggage, Mexican leader in
front MS boss" and We bringing up the
rear, all in single file over the finished
track OF the railroad for some distance,
and then commenced the rise OF the canon.
Having seen something Of the kind In the
Rocky mountains l was somewhat pre-
pared for what was 10 come. From the
first line Of the railroad We rode straight
up the side Of the canon 10 the second,
there being three lines, corkscrew fashion,
going up the side to the higher level. We
held on like grim death TO the pommel OF
the saddle, following the leader and think
ing Of nothing but holding ONT was fear.
fully steep and rocky, but rs the Jungle
on the sides OF the trail concealed the
precipice, no one was much alarmed. At
last we reached the highest line which Is
some 1000 feet above tho bed OF the
stream In the canon, and about the same
below the mountain slopes OF the same.
The road Is cut out on the sides OF these
enormous walls OF stone for twenty miles.
and we followed along the bed OF the road
where completed, with tolerable ease, but
many times, the work still going on, wo
had 10 20 outside OF the work In q tive
foot wide trail up and down steep
places, that was simply awful to
.l.f. al x.rhA n.
misstep OF the animal would precipitate
both 1900 feet below without break. II
was the most fearful ride could conceive
OF, and beyond all my experience and an
ticipation. But 1 trusted 10 Providence
and followed the Mexican leader, though
repeatedly dropped the bride, held on TO
the pommel and drew my feet from the
stirrups 10 fall az FAR from the animal as
could, for there was nothing to catch TO,
and my best chance was to fall above the
animal and clear from him. Sometimes
the ladies could not stand the ride and
Mac would dismount, send the horses after
me, and lead them step by step, around or
on the side Of the worst places. We rode
through six tunnels, sometimes half filed
mp with debris from the bias and finally
reached camp on the side OF the tunnel,
where we rested and dined. During cur
wholclridc through the day there was con-
slant cannonadc Of blasts going on; and,
once and awhile,sve halted In safe place
and saw them. 1he noise In the mount
aims is moro like that Of artillery In battle
than anything | had ever heard. While
resting, several blasts were fired by cleo
trio wires and sent up an immense mass
OF rock and earth, fragments OF which fell
upon the palm leaf-covered house and
bounded on-ii II had been tin, slate or
shingle they would have smashed through.
We passed one point where 5000 pounds
OF dynamite had torn off at a blow the
whole OF projecting side OF the canon,
some 1000 feet below tho line; another
1900 pounds Of giant powder had done a
similar thing. One OF the tunnels Il
through an immense perpendicular mount
ain OF rock cutting square into the face on
both sides.
Trembling with excitement and the
strain ON the muscular and nervous sys-
tenn, We arrived nj Canoas on the evening
OF tho 9th as the sun was going out Of sight
over the still rising mountains OF the west.
Here wo met our expcctant friends, all
well and hearty and eagerly awaiting our
arrival.
"Our house" Il built Of adobe, unburni
brick two feet long, one wide and four
inches thick, and looks like stone build.
ing. IL u plastcrcd and whitowashcd In
front and the walls also inside. II has a
beautiful roof OF bamboo matched tightly
and closely. and far projecting caves, two
windows and a door The young ladies
have house corresponding 10 ours, and
between us n sitting room opposite and
some twenty feet nom us Is a similar build.
ing. with two large rooms-one for Mac,
the other at present with an altar, cross
and figure OF our blessed lady, where they
had mass last SUNDAY. In rear OF the sit.
ting-room Is q good sized dining room and
kitchen next TO that The stables are In
an adjoining lot. The temperature has
surprised me; II was Coz TO SOP the day VIC
came, whilst In the terra callientc, between
the mountains and coast Il was hot sum.
fner. Tho day alter our arrival north
wind came on with rain, andit has been
about 90 until today.
There u always strong wind coming
from the west end Of the canon, caused by
the heated air OF the lowlands rushing
through tho canon like funnel and cool.
ing OF as Il reaches our end OF H. The
ladies' arc somewhat disguised with the
Mcxicans and camp life, aud think Il Is
not the place ipg girls. l am used "a
camp life ten tunes worse than this, and
have nothing TO complain Of. l have
taken two ridcsthis week-ono into the
canon, the other az toward the mountains
whence tho Canoas river or creek issues.
| IA IA a slfanrc thing 10 SEQ the sugar-cane.