CHAPTER II.
HOTELS ON THE FRONTIER.--ACCOMMODATIONS AT LAREDO.--SMUGGLING OVER THE BORDER.--LAREDO AS A RAILWAY CENTRE.--THE RIO GRANDE AND ITS PECULIARITIES.--RIVERS BENEATH THE SANDS.--ENTERING MEXICAN TERRITORY.--EXAMINATIONS AT THE CUSTOM-HOUSE.--MEXICAN TARIFFS.--BRIBERY AMONG OFFICIALS.--LEAVING NUEVO LAREDO.--A DREARY PLAIN.--FELLOW-PASSENGERS WITH OUR FRIENDS.--A MEXICAN IRISHMAN.--PEOPLE AT THE STATIONS.--ADOBE HOUSES; HOW THEY ARE MADE.--THE LAND OF MAÑANA.--POCO TIEMPO AND QUIEN SABE.--LAMPASAS.--MESA DE LOS CARTUJANOS.--PRODUCTS OF NUEVO LEON.--SADDLE AND MITRE MOUNTAINS.--MONTEREY. 15