Page:Mexico in 1827 Vol 2.djvu/542

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MEXICO IN 1827

part of the day to hunt down a portion of the remainder, whose tracks they followed across the endless plain until they were themselves quite bewildered amongst the rows of dwarf palms, and could only return to the Bŏzăl by retracing their steps. With the assistance of some Rancheros from the Hacienda of Sierra Hermosa, to which the Bŏzăl belongs, the search was renewed, and towards evening all our stud was brought in, with the exception of eight of the carriage-mules, which, being bred in Durango, appeared to have taken a northerly direction by themselves. As there was nothing to stop them between the Bŏzăl and the United States, pursuit seemed useless, and we gave them up for lost, after begging the Rancheros, should any stragglers be discovered amongst their own herds, to send them after us to Siērră Hĕrmōsă, where we resolved to stop one day for the chance of their coming up. The wind continued with undiminished violence during the twenty-four hours that we passed at the Bŏzăl; it did not, however, cause us much inconvenience, as we all took refuge during the day in Mrs. Ward's apartment, which was not only nearly air-tight, but curiously adorned with household furniture, some cocks and hens, and a fine collection of religious plates.

Provisions would have been scarce, however, had not the flocks of the Conde del Jărāl, upon whose estates we again were, come down most opportunely to water at the "tanque." With much difficulty