After dinner my kind host saddled up and took me to Providencia; there introduced me to the manager, who next morning sent me to Namaquipe, where I met the family of the good old patriarch, Francisco Vasques, formerly spoken of.
In this way I was forwarded from place to place with dispatch, making through in good time with little expense.
I met Brother Snow at Coralitos, and showed him the following letter:
"Messrs. Snow, Burton, Preston and others:
"Dear Sirs:—At the request of Mr. Jones I write this letter. I have bonded the ranch, W——, for the period of sixty days, for $30,000 in good and lawful money of the United States. I have agreed with Mr. Jones to sell the same to his people if he can take up the bond within the time I have given him. Mr. Jones and I have been traveling together, looking at lands——Mr. Jones in the interest of his people and I for myself, looking for grazing. Mr. Jones has been of great benefit to me as an interpreter, and is well posted in Mexican lands, and I do this in appreciation of his friendship and services. This land is mostly farming, with plenty of good timber. After the payment of $15,000 the property can be delivered to purchasers. This property cannot be held long without much expense, which I cannot conveniently do at present; besides, delays are dangerous. I have given Mr. Jones my price on the land, which contains 31,000 acres, all told.
"This is good country, which Mr. Jones is thoroughly competent to detail to you.
"Hoping to hear from some of you gentlemen soon, I am "Very respectfully yours, "F. G. South. "Temosachic, Mexico, "May 25th, 1886."
This was written on the back of the letter:
"I have considered the foregoing and can say that, while I regard the tract favorably located along the Sierra Madre, some eighty to one hundred miles south of Corralis Basin, and, according to Mr. Jones' representation, is a desirable place, I am not in any condition, at present, to entertain the proposition; but hope in the future to see our people stretching out in that direction.
"E. Snow."