Year: 1874

VERA Sept 8, 1874.
Vera Is a village OF 1900 inhabitants situated
in the valley of the Bidassoa, about ten miles
from the 1t Is only two miles from the Frehch
frontier, from which 1t Is separated by spur OF
the Pyrenees, impossible for vehicles bat easy Tor |
mules; and it Is by this route that great part OF
the articles termed contraband OF war hnd their
way into the Cariist lines.
MOUNTAIN TRIP BY HERALD SPECIAL CoRRE-


sPONDENT.
Having crossed once by the high road to Pampe-
luna, had some curiosity to try the mountain
route and see what observations would be thrown
In my way. accordingly procured a couple OF
mules In st. Juan de Luz and started one
morning just at sunrise. The road was
as bad as II well could be, being for
the most part o mere bride path, rough, crooked
and stony; but the ride was, nevertheless, avery
pleasant one. The way was lined on either SIDE
with hedges Of blackberry bushes, OF whose rich
black lrut you could eat your Oil from the saddle,
taking at the same time q shower bath OF dew,
delightfully."- refreshing in the cool morning air,
and getting your hands scratched till they bed
into the bargain.


AT A CRITICAL POINT IN THE DIVIDING LINE.


In an hour and half you reach the French Gus
tom House, situated in pleasant little val
ley which here comes down out OF the
mountains. There are four or five houses
here, uncovered in iruit trees, and post
OF soldiers who look after smugglers and are sup
posed to prevent the expectation OF all articles
considered contraband Of war into Spain. l can
not say they look very closely after people going
into spain, whatever they may do to those coming
back, for / had passed the Custom House fully
hundred yards before 1 was even seen. A
gendarme at last happened to look around, saw
od m N which l accordingly
did


FRENCH OFFICIAL ETIQUETTE


was somewhat amused at his behavior when
ne came up. He was very polite, not knowing, OF
course, but that might be some great parsonage
In disguise, OF which there are q good many
crossing the frontier these days, and commenced
asking me questions in a way that made II evident
ne wished to ascertain whether had any papers
before committing himself by demanding them.
am thoroughly convinced that If had not had
the scratch OF pen to show would have passed
all the same; but when he learned l had pass
port he instantly as sumed that air OF Importance
which French gendarme knows so well how to
put on, and ordered me in severe tone to pro-
duce IT, evidently GLAD that was en- re0le, and
that he would not have to wink at any rregu-
larity.


OVER THE POINT OF DEMARKATIoN-wHERE NRxT
half an hour later passed the stone marking
the frontier. 1t was in little rocky, woody dell,
down which a little stream came tumbng and
brawling, making enough noise for a large river
the mountains on either hand were covered with
trees almost to their very SUBMITS, and every
where were paths reversing them In all direc-
tons. 1t would certainly be difficult
task to prevent mules though loaded
with arms and munitions OF war, from
passing the frontier here, especially in the night,
| = mi rad hQt a ia mil
two hours from st. Juan de Luz; thar the whole
| distance may, therefore, be made between mid.
night and daylight that any quantity OF arms and
munitions may be sent to St. Juan de Luz as
ordinary merchandise. subject to no right OF in
specton by police. The ascent to the top OF the
mountain takes about half an hour by road so
rocky that my mule cast one shoe and broke
another in accomplishing It, One Is well repaid
the trouble, however, by the splendid view
obtained from the tOp-a view comprising q vast
extent Of country both sides OF the frontier, as
well as the towns OF vera (nested down in Its
little valley. Behobie, Hendoze, Fontarabia and
the ocean.


| THE DESCENT


Is by path as steep II not as rocky as the ascent
aud required about the same length OF time. anc
arrived at Vera at nine in the morning, alter
three hours march from st. Juan de Luz.


THE TOWN OF VERA


Vera may also be reached from the Frencl
frontier town OF Behoble, near the sea, on tht
banks OF the Bdass "a, which here forms tn,
frontier between France and Spain. From this
point two good macadamized roads, foiiowin
either bank Of the river, lead to the place an
branch of 10 other points, In spite OF 1t
somewhat unpleasant reputation In cOnnectlO
with the sinister santa cruz, who made II for Ion
time his headquarters, Vera Is pretty, pleasan
little place-pleasant on account Of its Isolation
It's quiet air OF content the clear, pure mountai
stream that goes brawling through its streets; tn
clatter Of the mill, which may be heard this qule
sunny afternoon mInRling with the ring OF tb
anvil in the blacksmth's shop around the corner
where my mule IS being shod. 1t Is especial
pleasant, too, after the French seaside place
because the people have not yet learned TO loo
upon you as their natural prey, to regard you q
their bread ana butter, and do not therefore, la
themselves out as In Biarritz to make their livin
out OF you. The mountains around are full
iron ore, and there are several iron furnace
and factories in the vicinity Indeed, 1t is OWN
to this reason that the place has lately assumed
much Importance in the present war. The Carlis
have turned one OF these factories into foundr
for the manufacture OF shells and are aread
turning out shells Of 1our or five different kinds
q rate sufficient to supply their cannon, some fit
or sixty pieces, for all the needs Of the ensuin
campaign.


THE RoYALIsT ARM AND MUNITIONS FOUNDRY.
ittn more advanced state OF activity than ha
supposed. 1t has only been IN operation abOU
two months, and as yet one small water wheel


tl.A ts..