Graham guardian., 1901-03-08
entertainments that ,

have been accorded were many and
most generous. On my errands to
secure accommodations for 8 men
and from % to 25 animals, / never
yet have found the place where |
would be refused from the lack of
goodwill. And what is wholly un
explaniable is that those applied to
were not always natives but full
blooded Spaniards. l shall be
pleased to go over few days of
travel and let you notice how
ag1 eeably these instances read in
the Journal of the explorer.
About week before reaching
the City of Mexico, we had to cross
a small range of mountains, the
first ones for a long time to OBJ
struct cur path. Arriving at the
top we found feed, as we'll as other
requisites for camping, to be Of the
very best and though it was rather
early in the day, yet Prest. Cluff
decided to stop travelling. So we'll
did we enjoy this camp that in the
evening while gathering round the
fire, we expressed regret to have
to leave such rare spot early in
the morning. No alternative, how
ever, seemed to offer itself until,
during a conversation with a native
| | learned that the owner was on
his land. | did not doubt but that
by appealing to him, he would re-
duce his charge to a minimum in
case we should decide to lay over
a day, and consequently offered to
make the attempt, which was ac-
cepted by Prest. Cluff. Next morn
ing early | started on my errand.
The day had opened encourag
ingly beautiful and the contrast be-
tween hill and vale and the scenery
typical to them, proved especially
charming in this bracing autumnal
forenoon. There was first cover
ing the top Of the range, dense oak
forests, valuable source of income
in the vicinity Of any city and more
so that of Mexico. Then followed
a belt Of shrubs and grass where
cattle were grazing, while down
below lay the valley veiled by
blue haze, yet disclosing to the eye
the newly plewed lands, the areas
Of harvested corn and barley; the
green wheat patches and the sheen
OF many reservoirs. For 2 hours
l wended by way down by creeks
and washes, when finally turn in
the road disclosed the white walls
Of the hacienda and awakening
from my pleasant contemplation,
spurred my mule and rode up to
: the hacienda.
Here everything was lively as
the owners of the different haciends
were together Upon my approach
a man of some fifty years of age,
!. his appearance such as to command
l. my confidence, came up to me.
e After introducing myself l stated
: the object Of my call and had the
= satisfaction of seeing my anticipa-
T. tion come true. Not only was the
t gentleman pleased to have us stay
on his ground, but he offered to aid
n us in whatever way he could. 1t
: is unnecessary to say that [ felt
!. very grateful to him for his kind
a ness and thanked him accordingly.
) Eventually this call grew into
t visit Of few hours duration. The
8 old gentleman proved to be widely
/ read and scholar and no sooner
e had he heard of the object of the
expedition than he became all in.
s terest in our enterprise. AS it
1 happened there were two ancient
g boundary lines, marked by monu-
i mcnt, running through his land.
During our walk / found blocks
Y of volcanic glass that had actually
e been shaved down as we do wood.
s Later | saw some of the shavings
l and they were as regular and of as
: fine an edge as you would wish
: for your razor. The noon hour
e had struck when q young man rode
] up who proved to be son of the
= gentleman who was entertaining
;: me. He is pupil in the military
.. college at Chajoultepec and upon
t hearing ofour expedition was more
: enthusiastic than his father. Final
!, ly dinner was called and another
( pleasant hour was spent after
which took my leave, and accom-
e panied by the old gentleman and
| his son, who wished to visit our
camp, set out to return. AS con
t sequence we let our animals out