the camp and lay upon the way side, to attack the Indians when they would be stealing upon us. I replied that I should rest myself that night, though the mountains should be covered with howling devils, threatening to devour me alive.

He was meditative a short time, and again remarked, that as I was unwilling to accompany him, and he did not want to see me taken by surprise, as I had been on the night previous, he wished permission to adventure alone, that he might give the alarm before the enemy could storm my camp. A thought at the moment gleamed through my mind, and I resolutely informed him, that he might leave as soon as he liked, but that all the arms in the camp belonged to me, and that he should carry none of them with him. Suiting the action to the word, I stepped between him and the weapons. The interpreter instantly sank to the earth, as if death had overtaken him.

I raised my belt and buckled it round my person, then put my gun and holster-pistols in my cartera, and motioned to my servants to put on their arms. I noticed that the conversation and actions of the interpreter had attracted their attention, and they all obeyed me. Marcelino drew his knife, and seated himself behind the suspected man, and signified by a motion of his hand, that if he moved he would let him have it-to which I nodded assent.

With a heart and head that ached, I could eat but little. My good servant seeming to insist so much, by his signs, that I should lie down, I concluded to do so, but not to sleep. Exhausted nature, however, was supreme to my will, and I no sooner extended myself, than the world was lost to me. Marcelino awoke me in the morning before my interpreter had arisen. I had him aroused, and when chocolate was over, for fear of an attack, and thinking that, perhaps, I had judged him too harshly, I handed him back his weapons.

We commenced our day's journey by ascending the next

mountain. Having travelled some distance upon its ridge, my interpreter dropped his hat, and dismounted to pick it up. I had passed him but a short distance, when I concluded to look around. Not hearing the tread of his animal, I suddenly turned my head and discovered the man in the act of pointing his gun at me, over his saddle. I wheeled instantly, and drawing my rifle pistol, made towards him. He said that he had a second time dropped his hat, and was only in the act of mounting his horse when I saw him. I commanded him to mount, telling him, that if he dared again to get behind me, under any circumstances, it must prove fatal to one of us, and we continued our travel.

The scenes of nature through which we passed were of the most stupendous kind, consisting of mountains, rocks, cataracts, and deep glens. The deer, the wolf, and the wild turkey inhabited the dense forests-nor was there any habitation between the Boca and where we then were. I heartily desired to see Caneles.

I was informed that there is a species of grizzly bear that lives in the clefts of these mountains. They are said to be as white, and in fact the same animal, as those found in the ice regions of the north. They are supposed to have made their way from the regions of the north, their native clime, upon the long range of the Rocky mountains. I had to admire the abundance and beauty of the game I witnessed. But my guns had not been loaded to harm them. I had no shots but for defence.

By the middle of the day we had ascended a mountain that overlooked all others in the vicinity. The air was cold, and we all drew on our serapis. My guide seemed desirous to show me some object. I inquired of my interpreter what it was. He informed me that it was the Pacific

ocean.

From the position I occupied, like Nuñez de Bilboa, on the heights of the isthmus of Darien, I looked over land until it was lost in the vast immensity of misty space-the vapours

of the waters of the ocean exhibiting a marked contrast to the dry and clear atmosphere of the parched land. The sight was sublimely extensive, yet I did not enjoy the view as much as if I had been more happily conditioned.

We descended a high mountain, and my guide gave the joyful intelligence that Caneles was in sight, and pointed out the opposite height that also overlooked the town. At length we came to the brink of the mountain, which commanded the view of a vast ravine, in the bottom of which, situated upon a bold and rapid stream, is the town of Caneles.

The mountain was precipitous. We made a slow zig-zag progress, making an angle at almost every ten or twenty paces. My journey down the height, with Caneles constantly in sight, was three hours at least. And thus, upon the evening of the 28th instant, I dismounted at the house. rented for me by my guide. While the sceptre of thought shall hold dominion over my mind, and when all other impressions are blotted out of my memory, I shall never forget the two little boys who came running, with tears streaming from their eyes, and exclaimed," Adios Teo?" "How do you do, uncle?" I clasped them to my bosom, and wept for an only and a departed brother

CHAPTER XVIII.

My first object. An American living at Caneles. ment made by Marcelino. Mineral of Caneles.

les.

Interested with my voice. DevelopSublime view of the scenery of CaneThe climate of Caneles. Mountains abound with silver. Quicksilver of Caneles. Mr. John Buchan, governor of an English company. Disease of goitre. Doctor Eberle. Feelings of myself. Did not repose at Caneles. Journey down the Caneles river. View of mountain scenery. All nature in Mexico at war. Mule more sapient than a horse. The town of Topie. Planting corn Emerge from between two Cerroes. View of open space beautiful. Species of birds. Remarkable account of the love of an Indian woman. Arrived at Tamazula. President Victoria. Hospitality of the Prefect and Curate. Children of priests. Tamazula river. Uniaya river. Culiacan river. Town of Cosala. Mazatalan. A voyage from China. Fish and oysters. Guadaloupe de Calvo. English silver mines. Mountains abound in silver. Mineral of Refugio. Return to the mineral of Caneles. Inhabitants of the hot and cold regions. Difference of temperature of the Pacific and Atlantic coasts. Departed from Caneles for Guanosebi. Unintelligible conversation. Met with Mr. Buchan at Guanosebi, Moon-shine in Mexico. A general, a priest, and a lawyer. Santa Anna's hacienda campus. Mexican attachment.

My first object, after my arrival at Caneles, was to refresh myself from the fatigues of travel; and accordingly, having partaken of a good dinner, I retired to my cartera, where, until the next morning, I indulged in delightful slumber, and many dreams-which was but living over again my hopes, my hazards, and my sufferings.

The 1st of March found me on my feet long before the sun had gilded the cloud-capped heights that overlooked the town. I had understood that an American lived in Caneles, and my solicitude was to see him, before my necessities would require me to transact further business through the interpreter whom I had in my employment, and whom I intended that day to discharge, regardless of all considerations.

A change of my condition was obligatory, and if I should not be bettered, my situation could be no worse, and I said to my little nephews, " traygame los Americanos.” They had arisen early to present me with some flowers; they took me by the hand and conducted me to the house of my fellow countryman, just in the same manner as a

blind man would have been led the way. I felt much interest in the sympathy of my boys; for they seemed to think that, as I could not converse with them in Spanish, I might also be deficient in eye-sight, and with the greatest care did they lead me along, pointing out every article and turn that we came to.

The imagination of my nephews that I was deficient in sight, was not more strange than the impression that the Mexicans often have, of those who do not speak their language; for they will talk in a loud voice to a foreigner as if he was deaf, and the oftener they receive the reply "no intende," the louder will they vociferate.

I explained to the American my misgivings, and the suspicions I had of my interpreter, and requested him to converse with my servants, and if possible to ascertain how far my conjectures were correct.

My friend was but a short time absent, when he returned bringing with him Marcelino, who related that my interpreter had informed my men that there was gold in my trunk, and had made them the proposition that I should be murdered, and they, with the spoil, make their safe retreat to the Pacific coast.

As for myself, I felt convinced of the truth of his statement, and could then well discern why the interpreter had expressed so many fears of my guide, which was done to prevent any suspicions of himself being otherwise than interested for my safety. Indeed, so strong were my suspicions of him on the day previous, that I should certainly have come to deadly conflict with him, had I not wished to reach Caneles on the same evening, as I was unwilling to camp another night with so dangerous a man. man. I therefore did not wish, if it could be avoided, to take his life, or run the risk of losing my own, knowing that, when at Caneles, I could easily relieve myself.

I had my interpreter and all of my servants summoned before the Alcalde, and in his presence settled with each.