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valley of the Rio Grande is narrowed, as it approaches Sierra Blanca on the east side. The expedition could have crossed the river at this point and followed the present highway from McNary to Finlay and on down to Van Horn, but having passed this point it became impossible for them to cross for a distance of almost a hundred miles, as the mountains hug the Rio Grande on the east side closely, as far as the vicinity of present day Presidio. On December 20, they turned southeast in order to approach the Rio Grande and, after traveling twenty-four miles, more or less, camped at a place they called Nuestra Senora del Transito. Mendoza remarks that the country was rougher than before and that they passed many high hills. About halfway they came upon a hot spring. From this spring to the river the country was rolling and almost impassable, he declared. In these almost inaccessible regions they found a number of rancher,as, whichwere deserted at this time. Perhaps this is the reason why Mendoza failed to point out the tribe that lived here. There were abundant grass and wood and a fairly spacious clearing surrounded by hills, where the camp was pitched for the night. The next day the course was first to the west and then to the east again. The canyon through which the river passed at this point had to be aban- doned in order to go around a very high hill. The advance was slow and difficult and the expedition halted after traveling four leagues or about twelve miles on the river. It is evident that the distance southward covered on this day was very short. They passed through three rancl,enas of Zuma Indians and they called the place where they camped, Nuestra Senora del Buen Suceso. On December 22, they continued the march and experienced extreme difficulty over the mountainous route followed. They were now opposite Eagle Mountains, which attain an elevation of about seven thousand five hundred feet on the Texas side of the river. The Rio Grande flows down a canyon along this region and Mendoza and his men were forced to find their way without getting too far from the stream. After traveling the usual twenty-four miles, more or less, they again camped on the Rio Grande, at a place they called Nuestra Senora del Rosario, where they found a number of rancltenas of Zuma Indians, good pasture, abundant wood, and water. Mendoza crosses into Texas. Continuing as close to the river as pos- sible, the expedition reached a place which they called Nuestra Senora de Belen on December 24, after marching about forty-eight miles from
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