In the good old days, before there were railroads, such trains as this were frequent.

From Manteca the road penetrated into contracting valleys, until finally it might, with propriety, be called a canon road.

At half past eight we reached San Carlos, a mean town with no _meson_ or other regular stopping-place.

We left the horses under the shady trees with the old farrier.

While we rested and waited for breakfast, I called upon the _jefe politico_, who had received several communications from me, and had become interested in my work.