Page:Pictures of life in Mexico Vol 1.djvu/89

Rh peacefully and honestly, and in consequence more happily, than had been his habit heretofore. "In appearance" said my friend, "he was above the average height of the Mexicans of his class; his frame was more muscular; his countenance less repulsive; and although his narrative was a wild and dreadful one, his manner as he delivered it, often betrayed the existence of a heart by no means reckless or unfeeling".

"Perhaps you may be aware that the prairies of Attakapas are neither more nor less than tracts of land formed in the course of ages, by trees which have either fallen or floated upon lakes—since deserted by the rivers of which they once were portions. These deposits have in time formed a compact surface, and present the appearance of portions of solid land, so that lean-tos and shantys may be built, and cattle reared, and men may reside upon them. The thinness of this coating is so remarkable, however, in some places, that a tremulous motion is given to it by the weight of a few oxen—hence their title of quaking prairies; the earth occasionally falling in, especially round the outskirts, and small holes and crevices being formed, into