Page:Face to Face With the Mexicans.djvu/138

132 faces of all satisfaction was evident that one belle had not arrived before the others.

The Rio Concho and the Rio Florida flank Santa Rosalia on either side, and from them open ditches run through the town, supplying water for domestic purposes. Policemen are stationed at intervals to prevent children from playing in the water, the water-carrier here as elsewhere being an important factor of domestic happiness and comfort. The Rio Concho is so well utilized for irrigating purposes



that the haciendas for thirty miles on either side are amply supplied with water. The absence of timber along the streams is noteworthy, the only forest tree in this section being the cotton-wood. This fortunately occurs in abundance, and furnishes fuel.

In towns the size of Santa Rosalia, hotels are not yet considered necessary to the well-being of the inhabitants, the méson supplying their place. Below will be found the "Notice to Travelers," as I saw it in that old adobe town. This and the water-spouts jutting out like giant arms across the street, afforded equal diversion.