, that
shoots upward like a signal-staff, to the height of twenty feet. As
already observed, its uses are manifold: the fibre of its leaves can be
manufactured into thread, cordage, and cloth; fences are constructed of
the growing plant, and thatch of the blades when cut; its sap,
distilled, furnishes the fiery but not unwholesome mezcal; and the large
egg-shaped core or stem is eaten for food. Tribes of Indians--Lipans,
Comanches, and Apaches--use it extensively as an article of diet. One
branch of the great Apache nation are distinguished--"_Mezcaleros_"
(eaters of the mezcal-plant). They bake it in ground-ovens of heated
stones, along with the flesh of the wild-horse. It is firm when cooked,
with a translucent appearance like candied fruits. I have eaten it; it
is palatable--I might say delicious. The mastication of it is
accompanied by a prinkling sensation upon the tongue, singular to one
unaccustomed to it. It is a gift of nature to the desert regions--where
it grows in greatest luxuriance, and where it serves the same purpose in
the economy of the savage natives as the _ixias, mesembryanthemums_, and
_zarnias_ (the Caffre bread), upon the arid karoos of Southern Africa.

One of the most esteemed qualities of this bromelia is the cauterising
property of its juice--well known to the natives of the Mexican
table-land, and to the Peruvians, where several species are found of
like virtues. It will cause ordinary wounds to cicatrise in a few
hours, and even "ugly gashes" will yield to it in time.

My companions had full knowledge of its effects; and, having extracted
the sap from its large succulent leaves, and boiled it to the
consistency of honey, they applied it to my wounds. This operation they
from time to time repeated, and the scratches were healed in a period
marvellously short. My strength, too, was soon restored. Garey with
his gun catered for the cuisine, and the ruffed grouse, the prairie
partridge, and roasted ribs of fresh venison, were dainties even to an
invalid.

In three days I was strong enough to mount; and bidding adieu to our
camping-ground, we all three set forth, taking with us our beautiful
captive. He was still as wild as a deer; but we had adopted precautions
to prevent him from getting away from us. The trappers led him between
them, secured to the saddles of both by a lazo.

We did not return in the direction of our old trail; my companions knew
a shorter route--at least o