Graham guardian., 1901-03-01
EXPEDITION LETTER.
Regular Correspondent to GUARDIAN.
THROUGH SONORA AND sINALc

~ Ah"hy N"A AiiSD NAAiANo, AANHh N'S
mountains down to the sea level,
that an account of all the changes
dependent on altitude, soil and peo.
pie, and their way of influencing
and being influenced would fill a
volume. Southern Sonora, for in
stance had both the fertile and the
sterile; while Sinaloa was a COM
plete disappointment,
Mazatlan standing on the brink
of the ocean will not pass easily
from our recollection. The beach,
the bay, the ships, the market furn-
ished few hours of genuine enjoy
ment. Then followed a stretch Of
swampy coast with surprisingly
lovely scenery animated by par
rots, ibises, terms, cranes and in
Vulnerable small fowls, but also
abounding with mosquitoes, gnats
and fever. Topic again, around an
Eden. Here we saw our first vol
canoes, Sangiiengay and Cebornco.
Here, too, we encountered the first
remains of the Spanish dominions,
churches. dams, bridges and roads,
testifying with their massiveness,
solidity and size to the ancient eX-
tent and resources Of the crown OF
Carlisle. The roses stood in full
bloom, the season was like spring.
As we ascended the high plateau
Of Mexico, cities, villages, ranches,
haciendas, population and industry
increased. Leon furnished a few
example Of an industrial center.
Guadalejaca that of an opulent
metropolis surrounded by untold
resources. Then followed some
parts of the interior states, Michoa
can, Guanajuato, Ouerelero, with
rich and extensive haciendas. Fin
ally Popocatapetl and Tzlaccibuatl
loomed up in the distance, bespeak.
ing the vicinity of the valley Of
Mexico where stands surrounded
by immense maguey plantations
the city workers of the land.
Ever since we left Topic the
weather has been beautiful, oul
'health good, the people kind anC
hospital. No accident of any kline
marred the pleasantncss the trip
the continuously changing country
awakening interest from hundred
points of view. (You will under
stand now why our spirits were
perfect and why we look upon this
trip as one of the rare privileges 0.
life. Already a deep sense Of salts
faction is ours which / hope The
future will increase and ripen. Too
much speaking in general way
to illustrate what ! attempted t.
outline, / shall relate the incidents
and experiences more at large. Ii
doing so | can speak ofthings only
as they have appealed to me in
dividually for which, especially j
at times it becomes too personal,
beg the readers kind indulgence.
That day we expected to driv,
as far as the hacienda de la FORE
but it proved that said locality wa'
two miles off the main road. In
stead, therefore, Of halting we de
cided to go on until suitable
camping place was reached. i
was late; the full moon was
out ere we found what we were
looking for, but we did find it a
last and supposing that the particu
lar spot belonged to the hacienda
de Loles, a neighboring estate,
was commissioned to obtained the
necessary permit while the rest
Of the company struck camp.
expected to be done with my ex
ira work in couple Of hours and
rather enjoying the cool of the
night after a day Of shine and dust
mad my animal trot up briskly
over the road that showed plainly
in the moonlight.
/ am glad to say that eventually
l did arrive at Lolis. A large
building, two stories high, and
with all the resemblance of a castle
was before me, white and spotless
in the moonlight. There was q
chapel corresponding in dignity
arcades and bridges dating from
Spanish times, inches with the cru
cifx and fountains by the roadside
forming q picture absolutely grand
and making you feel as though you
were approaching palace enchant
ed. / was by this time, however
fully conscious of what / had come
for and throwing castles and senti
ments to the four winds, made
straight for the porters lodge
Poor devil, ! could hear him swear
sixty yard away, but business
is business. Tapping at his door
my knocks set all the dogs in the
neighborhood to barking. 1t was
enough to revive the dead, and out
came my porter, frightened and
shivering with cold, to answer my
summons. / stated my case and
he listened respectfully. He sait
the "padrone," or owner, was
asleep; but proflered to take me tC
the house anyhow. The dogs still
barked as | followed him over tn,