the "patio." The "portero,"
when summoned by knock or bell, admits us by a small door, forming part
of the great gate already mentioned. We traverse an arched way, the
"zaguan," running through the breadth of the building, and then we are
in the patio. From this we have a view of the real front of the house.

The patio itself is paved with painted bricks--a tessellated pavement.
A fountain, with jet and ornamental basin, occupies its centre; and
several trees, well trimmed, stand in large vessels, so that their roots
may not injure the pavement. Around this court you see the doors of the
different apartments, some of them glazed and tastefully curtained. The
doors of the "sala," the "cuarto," and the sleeping-rooms, are on three
sides, while the "cocina" (kitchen), the "dispensa" (store-room),
"granero" (granary), with the "caballeriza" and coach-house, make up the
remaining part of the square.

There is still an important portion of the mansion to be spoken of--the
"azotea," or roof. It is reached by an "escalera," or stone staircase.
It is flat and quite firm, being covered with a cement that is proof
against rain. It is enclosed by a parapet running all round it--of such
a height as not to hinder the view of the surrounding country, while it
protects those occupying it from the intrusive gaze of persons passing
below. When the sun is down, or behind a cloud, the azotea is a most
agreeable promenade; and to render it still more so, that over the house
of Don Ambrosio had been arranged so as to resemble a flower-garden.
Richly japanned pots, containing rare flowers, were placed around, and
green boughs and gay blossoms, rising above the top of the wall,
produced a fine effect on viewing the building from without.

But this was not the only garden belonging to the mansion of the rich
miner. Another, of oblong shape, extended from the rear of the house,
enclosed by a high wall of adobes on either side. These, ending upon
the bank of the stream, formed the boundary of the garden. Along the
stream there was no fence, as it was here of sufficient breadth and
depth to form an enclosure of itself. The garden was of large extent,
including an orchard of fruit-trees at its lower part, and it was
tastefully laid out in walks, flowerbeds, and arbours of different
shapes and sizes. Don Ambrosio, although but a rich _parvenu_, might
have been supposed to be a man of refined taste by any one viewing this
garden--the m