I put some inquiries to him in relation to the object of our expedition.

The zambo pointed to the south, saying in Spanish that mules were plenty in that direction.
"_Hay muchos, muchissimos_," (There are many), said he, as he indicated a road which led through a strip of forest on our left.
Following his direction, we struck into the new path, which soon narrowed into a bridle-road or trail.

The men were thrown into single file, and marched _a l'Indienne_.

The road darkened, passing under thick-leaved trees, that met and twined over our heads.
At times the hanging limbs and joined parasites caused the major to flatten his huge body upon the horn of the saddle; and once or twice he was obliged to alight, and walk under the impeding branches of the thorny acacias.
Our journey continued without noise, silence being interrupted only by an occasional oath from the major--uttered, however, in a low tone, as we were now fairly "in the woods".

The road at length opened upon a small prairie or glade, near the borders of which rose a "butte", covered with chaparral.
Leaving the party in ambuscade below, I ascended the butte, to obtain a view of the surrounding country.