Page:Mexico in 1827 Vol 1.djvu/618

588 up the stream from twelve to eighteen inches deep some distance, there being no side paths. This would have been impracticable for horses; mules only could have passed over a bottom composed of loose stones, of all sizes and forms, under the water, and even they frequently sink a foot or more at a step. The first night we slept in a shed, that we found about five leagues up the glen, completely drenched with rain; and the following day we accomplished eleven leagues more to the rancho de San Jose, where we passed a most uncomfortable night. Early in the third morning we performed six leagues more, which were worse than any which preceded them; for the ascent through the cañada became so steep, that we were continually annoyed by cascades or falls of water, from three to twenty feet in height. In some places it was necessary to dismount and lead the mules, or we might have been washed away if the animals had lost their footing. However, we cleared this glen about one o'clock, and arrived at a few huts, called Los Vivores, situated upon a plain, three leagues in breadth, which seemed to form a first tier of the Sierra Madre, about four thousand feet above the level of the sea. The morning had been delightfully fine, and the continued change of mountain scenery, clothed with an endless variety of trees and shrubs in full bloom, with the hollow roaring of the waters, and the echo of our voices, had an enchanting effect. I observed nothing of volcanic appearance in these mountains. They seemed generally to be formed of lime-stone, granite, and porphyry, of various kinds. The soil was a red and grey clay. Towards the bottom there are fine beds or veins of beautiful jaspers; the strata of minerals are also very abundant, not only silver, but iron and copper. Towards evening I resolved to gain the summit of the Sierra, and to sleep at the top, which now lay before us, and seemed almost perpendicular. I confess, that I felt a little repugnance, after so much fatigue, to cross a place, which, to me, appeared terrific and impassable; but my guide told me that the road was good and dry, and that there was no danger. The evening was fine, and in less than half an hour after commencing the ascent, I found myself amongst young pines. We continued to ascend by abrupt windings, so steep that we could