The city of San Luis Potosi is a large and beautiful place, and the capital of the state of that name. Its population has greatly decreased since the commencement of the revolution in 1809. It is situated in an extensive plain, surrounded by high mountains, and the cultivation carried on, and the cattle watered from numerous wells worked by mules. These wells are usually deep, and dug in the form of a parallelogram; [186] the mode of raising the water has been greatly improved since the Honourable Joel R. Poinsett travelled through this country in 1822.21 It is, however, exceedingly simple, and might be used with great advantage in many portions of the United States. A mule, blindfolded (for almost everything is hoodwinked in that country), is hitched to a shaft which turns a perpendicular spindle, to which is attached a crude vertical cog wheel, working a drum over which a leather band is passed, and upon which is attached small buckets, one foot apart, upon the plan of elevators in a flour mill. This band extends to the water, be the well deep or shallow. The water is consequently passed over the drum, and falls into a trough, which conducts it to an extensive reservoir, from which the cattle and farm are supplied. The hoodwinked animal works his day without a driver, and is then turned upon the common to recuperate, while a fresh one is hitched in his place, and thus a perpetual stream of water is poured forth from these numerous wells. [187]
 

Chapter Thirteen

MARCH TO THE CAPITAL UNDER COLONEL TERRIS

Hacienda de Plata. Bad Treatment. Xaral, Marquis of. Horses taken from us. Made to walk over the Mountain. Our Remonstrances with the Colonel. Billy Reese & the Catholic Crosses. Bugler, his Wife, and Sister. Suffer for Water. Punishment of a Soldier. Dolores. Hidalgo.