CHAPTER SIX.
THE LANDING AT SACRIFICIOS.
Early in the month of March the troops at Lobos were re-embarked, and dropped down to the roadstead of Anton Lizardo.

The American fleet was already at anchor there, and in a few days above a hundred sail of transports had joined it.
There is no city, no village, hardly a habitation upon this half-desert coast.

The aspect is an interminable waste of sandy hills, rendered hirsute and picturesque by the plumed frondage of the palm-tree.
We dared not go ashore, although the smooth white beach tempted us strongly.

A large body of the enemy was encamped behind the adjacent ridges, and patrols could be seen at intervals galloping along the beach.
I could not help fancying what must have been the feeling of the inhabitants in regard to our ships--a strange sight upon this desert coast, and not a pleasing one to them, knowing that within those dark hulls were concealed the hosts of their armed invaders.

Laocoon looked not with more dread upon the huge ribs of the Danaic horse than did the simple peasant of Anahuac upon this fleet of "oak leviathans" that lay within so short a distance of his shores.
To us the scene possessed an interest of a far different character.