The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1892-11-05

q railroad with the termini respectively
at Ell Altar, on the Rio de la Asuncion,
and at the city of Hermosillo, on the
(the idea was subsequently abandoned
as impracticable). BY reference to the
map it will be observed that these
places are some one hundred and thirty
miles apart, and i was thus obliged to
employ large corps of assistants and
devote my personal attention continu-
ally to the work in order that the sur
vey might be finished upon the date
stipulated in the contract.
had established camps or work sta
tions over the entire distance ut about
twenty miles from each other, and it
was my custom to make a journey OF
inspection to these stations once every
fortnight AS the work progressed
found it necessary to increase these
visits and was obliged to spend all of
my time in passing back and forth over
the line.
This was, of course, tiresomc and
monotonous. but the work in itself was
not difficult, as the terra templada is I'M
usually free from natural distractions.
The only really Objectionable feature
was the presence of a large number of
native Indians and Mexican half breeds,
who seemed to regard us intuitiyely as
worthy of nothing better than the most
hearty contempt and as the source of
continual apprehension.
1t was evident that they considered
ms as trcspassers, and was aware tn at
most of our movements were slyly
watched by them, and they became IA
miliar with the course of our work and
appeared to avoid us as if in fear.
For time was inclined to view
them askance, for knew the aborig-
inal characteristics of cunning and
treachery. As time wore on, however,
] came to look upon them differently,
and considered that they had become
reconciled, as it were, to our presence
and that we need fear no outbreaks
from them as long as they were not
molcsted. l was mistaken, as the in,
cident which l am about to relate will
demonstrate.
Along in the latter part of Septem-
Der, near the completion of the survey,
in fact it was the very last trip made
over the southern division of the line,
had been to Hermosillo for imple-
ments and supplies, and had occasion
to run down to Maytorena, near Haro
on the gulf. While at this latter place
i met an old tar who had formerly
been in my employ and who was do
ing service on a merchant-man, then
in the docks at Long Bridge. Like
most of his fellows he was, to use the
sailor dialect, ''winded" financially.
Seeking about for some article to
offer me as security, and as an induce
ment to advance cash, he hauled from
the hold of the vessel and brought to
me an old ffty-two inch Columbia ex-
pert. | owned wheel myself, and
while home was in the habit of riding
continually. The thought occurred to
me that l might obtain considerable
pleasure and also physical exercise by
using this one; and so, advancing a
few dollars, took the machine.
recollected that a large portion of
the northern part of the. survey lay
over an old mining trail, the surface of
which was of a clayey composition,
well-beaten and resistible; so l re-
solved to surprise the men some fine
day by riding gracefully into camp on
q bicycle. The idea was certainly