Page:Pictures of life in Mexico Vol 2.djvu/137

Rh arrived within sight of the prairie before sunset; and by the time that luminary was sinking on the verge of the horizon, he had reached the spot indicated.

The Red Point was the name given to a spot where the soil was of an extremely ruddy colour; and as the sun now cast its last burning rays upon the earth, the glowing appearance was heightened, insomuch that it might have been mistaken at first sight for a sheet of water reflecting the gorgeous atmosphere above. Our traveller gazed for a little while on the scene before him; not that he could appreciate its beauty, but he was endeavouring to calculate from its aspect the degree of tomorrow's heat. He then slowly turned his eyes in the direction of the east, then towards the north, then towards the west again, taking in every object between himself and the horizon in his range. Apparently satisfied with his observations, he walked his horse to a slight hollow at a little distance, containing three trees and tied the animal to the trunk of one of them; then as the darkness came on he proceeded to select a grassy nook within a few paces of the tree, and after refreshing himself and horse, laid him down to rest. Deep sleep