Jack had just finished
strapping on his Mexican saddle; and seeing me, up he ran to assist in
serving my breakfast. This was hastily despatched, and our party took
the route in silence through the sleeping camp. Shortly after, we were
joined by the major, mounted on a tall, raw-boned horse; while a darkie,
whom the major addressed as "Doc", rode a snug, stout cob, and carried a
large basket. This last contained the major's commissariat.

We were soon travelling along the Orizava road, the major and Jack
riding in advance. I could not help smiling at the contrast between
these two equestrians; the former with his great gaunt horse, looming up
in the uncertain light of the morning like some huge centaur; while Jack
and Twidget appeared the two representatives of the kingdom of Lilliput.

On turning an angle of the forest, a horseman appeared at some distance
along the road. The major gradually slackened his pace, until he was
square with the head of the column, and then fell back into the rear.
This manoeuvre was executed in the most natural manner, but I could
plainly see that the mounted Mexican had caused the major no small
degree of alarm.

The horseman proved to be a zambo, in pursuit of cattle that had escaped
from a neighbouring corral. 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 countr