Page:Appleton's Guide to Mexico.djvu/279

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THE MEXICAN NATIONAL RAILWAY.
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The latter town lies eastward of the track. Mexican blankets are manufactured here.

Opposite Lampazos is the Mesa de los Cartuhanes, a terrace rising about 2,000 feet above the plain. Its area is about 20 X 15 miles, and it is accessible from only one point. This plateau affords good water, grass, and timber. It was formerly used by Indians as a hiding-place. The Varieties of Cactus. mesa is owned by Patrick Milmo, Esq., an Irish settler, who married the daughter of an ex-Governor of Nuevo Leon. Mr. Milmo is also the proprietor of an immense amount of real estate in Monterey and the adjacent region.

Leaving Lampazos, the train passes Mojina (109 miles) and Rodriguez (124 miles). Just before reaching the latter place the track makes a bend to the east. The elevation of Rodriguez is 651 feet. The country is now covered with nopal-bushes and mesquite. The mountain-ridge gradually subsides into the plain. We cross the Salado River, and reach Huisachoto (135 miles), where the road-bed curves eastward. The next station is Jarita (148 miles). Here the altitude is 674 feet. The surrounding country is flat and uninteresting as far as the frontier. Passing Sanchez (150 miles), New Laredo (166 miles) is reached. The Mexican National Railway crosses the Mexican Southern just before reaching its station.