Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1891-12-05

"a labyrinth of mountains, which,
arid and desolate, lose themselves in the
distance; infinitely varied in form, sug-
gesting inexpressible and awful contor-
tions; full of deep, sad shadows, lonely,
terrifying. like a somber and tempestu-
Gus ocean suddenly petrified with awe at
the whisper of God"
So has Mexican writer impressively
described the region Of the great Sierras
that lift their desolate heights above the
fertile tableland The fanks of these
vast ranges, as they stretch down to the
terra caliente. are clothed with tropical
forests, but as they rise above the plateau
in itself from six to eight thousand
feet above the level of the sea-they are
all bare of vegetation, and their rugged
forms, rent and torn by volcanic action
into deep chasms and gorges, wild, in
accessible peaks and wonderful serrated
ridges suggest the immediate presence
of natures most terrible and resistless
forces. No one can shake off a sense Of
awe and of distaste amounting to re-
pugnancs in travelling through these
regions. 80 wild. SO desolate and so for
bidding.
1t was in the midst of such a region
that Derwent found himself three or
four days after leaving Guadalajara A
journey on muleback of twenty leagues
had brought him into the heart of the
great Sierra Madre, and when he was
Cold that the mine was at hand he looked
on scene that for wiidness, sublimity
and loveliness could hardly be matched
in the world. They were threading their
way along one of the great barrancas-
immense gorges that divide the noun
tains and descend often to depth of
three or four thousand feet-while all
around great peaks thrust themselves
against the sky. varying only in the alb
rupt ruggedness of their forms, invaria-
BILE in the desolate barrenness of their
aspect.
The group of riders passing in single
file along the shelflike road that over
hung the barranca added the only touch
of life to the scene. There were five in
the party-Derwent, Fernandez. Mexi-
can named Amanda whom Fernandez
introduced rs one of the owners of the
mine. and two servants, known in Mex
leo as mozos, The two riders in front of
Derwent were continual source of
pleasure to his eye, from the picturesque
appearance which they presented, with
their silver inlaid brides, their elabo-
rately decorated saddles, their leggings of
stamped and fringed leather, and their
short jackets. which afforded an excel
lent view Of the pistols they wore in a
belt around the waist, The two mozos
behind were, in modified degree, not
less striking in aspect, and Derwent had
humorous sense Of his own common
place appearance in a tweed suit and
soft felt hat
Presently a rare and welcome sound
came to their ears-the sound of falling
water, From gorge that opened upon
the barranca small stream issued, and
crossing their path fell in succession
of leaping cascades to the depths below,
A road turned off into the gorge, and
this they followed 1t was hardly more
than a trail along the bank of the stream,
ever mounting higher in the midst OF
scenery that grew more wildly plctur-
esque with every step. Wherever there
is water in Mexico, luxuriant verdure
follows; and the ravine was full OF
greenness absolutely enchanting after
the arid desolation of the scenes over
which they had passed
Turning to Derwent, Fernandez said
that the stream would lead them imme-
diately to the mouth of the mine, and,
while he was descanting on the great ad-
vantages that water 80 near at hand al
forded for the reducing of the ores,
sudden turn of the winding way brought