It's quite a place; come out and see it." But I did not go ashore.

Of all dreary, miserable-looking settlements that one could possibly imagine, that was the worst.

An unfriendly, dirty, and Heaven-forsaken place, inhabited by a poor class of Mexicans and half-breeds.

It was, however, an important shipping station for freight which was to be sent overland to the interior, and there was always one army officer stationed there.
Captain Bernard came on board to see us.

I did not ask him how he liked his station; it seemed to me too satirical; like asking the Prisoner of Chillon, for instance, how he liked his dungeon.
I looked over towards those low white walls, which enclosed the Government corral and the habitation of this officer, and thanked my stars that no such dreadful detail had come to my husband.