t the
prison-like aspect, so characteristic of Mexican country-houses. This
is further modified by the appearance over the parapet of green foliage.
Forms of tropic vegetation show above the wall; among others, the
graceful curving fronds of a palm. This must be an exotic, for although
the lower half of the Rio Bravo is within the zone of the palms, the
species that grow so far north are fan-palms (_chamaerops_ and _sabal_).
This one is of far different form, with plume-shaped pinnate fronds, of
the character of _cocos_, _phoenix_, or _euterpe_. I note the fact, not
from any botanical curiosity with which it inspires me, but rather
because the presence of this exotic palm has a significance. It
illustrates a point in the character of him--it may be _her_--who is the
presiding spirit of the place. No doubt there is a fair garden upon the
azotea--perhaps a fair being among its flowers! Pleasant thoughts
spring up--anticipations. I long to climb that sloping hill, to enter
that splendid mansion, and, longing still, I gaze.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

The ring of a bugle startles me from this pleasant reverie. 'Tis only a
stable-call; but it has driven sweet reflections out of my mind, and my
eyes are turned away from the bright mansion, and rest upon the piazza
of the pueblita. There, a far different scene greets their glance.

CHAPTER THREE.

THE RANGERS ON PICKET.

The centre of the piazza presents a salient point in the picture. There
the well (_el poso_), with its gigantic wheel, its huge leathern belt
and buckets, its trough of cemented stone-work, offers an Oriental
aspect. Verily, it is the Persian wheel! 'Tis odd to a northern eye to
find such a structure in this Western land; but the explanation is easy.
The Persian wheel has travelled from Egypt along the southern shores of
the Mediterranean. With the Moors it crossed the Straits of Gibraltar,
and the Spaniard has carried it over the Atlantic. The reader of the
sacred volume will find many a familiar passage illustrated in the
customs of Mexico. The genius of the Arab has shaped many a thought for
the brain of the Aztec!

My eye rests not long upon the well, but turns to gaze on the scene of
active life that is passing near and around it. Forms, and varied ones,
I trow, are moving there.

Gliding with silent step and dubious look--his wide _calzoneros_
flapping around his ankles, his arms