Sketches of the campaign in northern Mexico : in eighteen hundred forty-six and seven / by an officer of the First Regiment of Ohio volunteers.

CANALES! CANALES! 129
sad countenances and heavy hearts amlong the villagers, who,
from their lofty situation, watched the column as it uncoiled
fiom the valley, and stretched, like a huge serpent over the
hills. Far away to the south-west, a moving cloud of dust
told the position and progress of the advance corps. For a
long distance, the road could be traced by the bright bayonets that heaved and flashed like breaking waves, over the
dark, green thickets, while near at hand, battalions and batteries were wheeling successively into column, as prompt to
execute, as to hear the loud, quick words of command.
Iamer's brigade being the last to march that day —the
brigades of the volunteer division led by turns —we did nrot
get in motion till 9 o'clock. Just before that hour, and
while the companies were standing at ease, awaiting further
orders, a fat, greasy-looking Mexican, mounted upon a little
sway-backed nmule, came galloping up the valley toward us.
Though the animal was goaded to the top of its speed with
whip and spIn's, the rider yet continued to use his arms and
legs so industriously, that it was evident that his progress
was not satisfactory, or at all equal to his notion ot the
importance of his errand. As he drew near, it was perceived that the man was badly frightened. The mule, too,
seemed to participate in his master's fears, and was honestly doing his petite possible in the race. To the many
questions, in imingled English and Spanish, with which he
was greeted as he came within ear-shot, his only reply was,' canales! Canalcdes! " 1 ycleped at every jump, as he dashed
* The name of a partisan leader of some celebrity among the border Mexicans;
and who, according to their many and conflicting rumors, was ubiquitous. He
owes the newspaper notoriety which he gained during the war, mnore to the extra