CHAPTER I.
Preparations for the Start--Our Dry Goods Relished by the Cattle--I Become a "Compadre"-- Beautiful Northern Sonora--Mexican Muleteers Preferable in Their Own Country--Apache Stories--Signs of Ancient Inhabitants--Arrival at Upper Yaqui River--Opata Indians now Mexicanised--A Flourishing Medical Practice--Mexican Manners--Rock-carvings--How Certain Cacti Propagate.
Heavy floods in the southern part of Arizona and New Mexico, with consequent wash-outs along the railroads, interfered with my plans and somewhat delayed my arrival at Bisbee, Arizona, a small but important mining place from which I had decided to start my expedition.

It is only some twenty odd miles from the Mexican border, and the Copper Queen Company maintains there well-supplied stores, where the necessary outfit, provisions, etc., could be procured.

The preparations for the start consumed more than two weeks.

Animals had to be bought, men selected and hired, provisions purchased and packed.

In the meantime I was joined by the various scientific assistants appointed to take part in the expedition.
The horses and mules were bought in the neighbourhood.