Here I had to stop for a few days to reconnoitre the road.

I was told that the grass had been burned by the Indians almost as far as the ranches of Guachochic, our main objective point.

The Indians at that time (May) always burn the grass, and the entire country is wrapped in smoke.

This, they think, is necessary to produce rain; smoke-clouds and rain-clouds, in their opinion, bringing about the same ultimate result.

But it is exceedingly trying for travellers, man and beast.