ct, they contributed nothing, and as a last resort, I was
compelled to offer my horse for sale; which venture was more successful,
and I soon disposed of him at a very fair price. I was now enabled to
buy the few articles of clothing that I was most in need of, and after
lingering a few hours in the village, I concluded to push on towards
Santa Fe, in the hope of falling in with some party of traders, or
miners, and then trust to the chapter of accidents for the rest.

Fortune favored me in my designs, as I soon had an opportunity to join a
party of Mexicans, who were _en route_ for the Capital of New Mexico, on
trading schemes intent. I accompanied them in the capacity of muleteer.

Arriving in Santa Fe, I immediately repaired to the largest inn, being
attracted thither by a number of uncouth characters, in hunting shirts,
and slouch hats. I entered unobtrusively, and took a quiet survey of the
scene. The room was the _cantina_, and all were indulging in potations,
more or less deep, of El Paso whiskey. The atmosphere was redolent of
the fumes of tobacco, and commingled with the shouts and coarse language
of the men, was the shrill treble of the women, who darted here and
there, through the throng, like sunbeams.

I was attracted by one rude specimen, who seemed bent on getting up a
fight. This great rough fellow, of six feet and over, called a trim
little _poblana_ to him, with, "hyar, my little muchacha! vamous, and
git me some of that'er Pass, good now, and clar!" Then, as the liquor
was produced, he offered the waiter a quantity of money, which was
unhesitatingly accepted, with a "_mucho bueno, senor_."

"Hooraw for you! come along, let's licker up all round, and have a
dance; you're the gal for my beaver; bully for old Missouri!" Suddenly,
a pistol was discharged in a remote corner of the room, and there was an
instantaneous rush in that quarter, succeeded by loud cries, oaths,
blows, shooting, din, and confusion.

Sick and weary of such scenes, I left the _cantina_, and sallying forth
into the _plaza_, wandered down the street, not knowing where to go, or
what was to become of me. I cared less.

CHAPTER XXVIII.

A NEW DEPARTURE.

Glad to escape from such a scene of riot and violence, I walked rapidly
along the narrow street, without any definite idea of where I was going.
I soon passed the low and squalid looking rows of _adobe_ buildings,
which compose the greater part of the famous "Cuidad de Sa