Page:Mexico in 1827 Vol 2.djvu/546

526 safety, even with the greatest precautions. In the rear of the flocks, the Coyotes, or Mexican jackall, might be discovered prowling in considerable numbers; and at a little distance from San Ignacio we met a band of Rancheros, returning in high glee from the tanque of Juan Perez, where, they informed us, they had been lassoing some wolves which had committed great devastations, and driven the cattle from the water. Every thing, in short, was characteristic of a state of things in which civilization had made but little progress: the natives possessed both the honesty and the hospitality of a primitive race; for our horses were brought back to us on the evening of our arrival at Sierra Hermosa, with even the holster-pistols untouched, notwithstanding the eagerness with which European fire-arms are always eyed in America; and at the Hacienda we met with a most friendly reception from the Administrador and his family, who insisted upon giving up to us all the best apartments in the house.

The estate of Siērră Hĕrmōsă consists of two hundred and sixty-two Sitios: the lands extend from Cătōrcĕ, (to the East,) and Măzăpĭl, (to the North,) to a little beyond the Hacienda in the direction of Zăcătēcăs, (about forty-five leagues.) The stock consists principally of "ganado menor," sheep, and some goats. Of the first, the Conde himself has 200,000, which produce annually from 25 to 30,000 yearlings for the Mexican market. The goats are sent to the Căsă dĕ Mătānză (slaughter-house) of the Jărāl.