They were pleasant to deal with, very active and obedient, and I never wish for better men than those I then had in my camp, nearly all of whom were from these parts.

The people were poor, but genuinely hospitable.

Of course they were ignorant, and might not, for instance, recognise a check unless it was green.

In each town, however, I found one or two men comparatively rich, who knew more of the world than the others, and who helped me out in my difficulties by going from house to house, collecting all the available cash in town, or what coffee and sugar could be spared to make up the deficiency.

One thing is certain, I should never have gotten on so well had it not been for the friendly and obliging attitude of the Mexicans everywhere.