Page:Face to Face With the Mexicans.djvu/308

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302
FACE TO FACE WITH THE MEXICANS.

mining region of El Oro and others—also the Cañon de las Zopolotes (turkey-buzzard)—and at length we reach Pomoca, near Tepeji del Rio. Here we have a reminder of the heroic death of one of Mexico's bravest sons—Melchor Ocampo. A house in ruins and a garden in dilapidation are interesting mementoes of his tragic death.

The quaint old towns of Maravatio and Acambaro, founded in the sixteenth century, also come forward with their stirring revolutionary recitals. Everywhere we are reminded of the unparalleled struggles of the Mexican people for liberty.

WATER-CARRIER OF GUANAJUATO.

The town of Acambaro is the dividing point of the National Railway, one branch extending to Celaya, with a prospect at some future day of reaching Saltillo, the present terminus of the eastern division. By the western division we proceeded to Morelia, then the terminus. The traveler, so desiring, may make a pleasant tour through the middle States by the National, and return to the capital by the Central road.

In closing our journey of twelve hours from Toluca to Morelia, we passed beside the lovely lake of Cuitzco, just as the lingering rays of a semi-tropical sun, with all their bright-tinted hues, were thrown across this picturesque lake. Cuitzco is the result of a volcanic convulsion, and its waters are salt. The wild scenery surrounding it is in keeping with the peculiar little mountains in the background, its rich