AND PACIFIC COAST GUIDE. 87 quoted in my life, and if the reader will excuse me this time, I will swear never to be caught doing so again. | WAHATOYA — is the next station, and a very appro- priate one it is. It is 6 9-10 miles south of Walsens. To the left, after leaving the station, a beautiful view can be had of the Spanish Peaks. The altitude of the east peak is 12,720 feet; that of the west peak is 18,620 feet. Con- tinuing a little far- ther, we have a fine view of Veta and the Sangre de Chris- to Mountains on the right. From _ the last station is 8 2-10 miles to LaVera—tThe first settler in this sec- tion of country was Col. Francisco, a Span- ish gentleman who came to La Veta 19 years ago, and built the house that he now lives in. La Vetais situated at an elevation of 6,970 feet, on the south branch of Cuchara Creek, at the northern base of the moun- tains, with the Spanish or “Twin Peaks” as immediate back-ground. The popula- tion is about 800. It boasts of some good buildings—a postoftice, a grist mill, and, if reports are true, good prospects for the future, as well as great present expecta- tions. It is reported that a silver mine has been discovered near, producing ore that mills $118 per ton; 100 claims have been staked; copper is also a late discovery, and coal seven miles west, on Middle Creek, and White Sulphur Springs, five miles south. At La Veta all extra cars are left behind, an extra locomotive is added, and the train starts out on an average grade of 211 feet to the mile, for 21 1-2 miles. In some places the grade is much higher, but the passenger need not fear, as the road is well built, the ties are close together and double it OVERLAND PONY EXPRESS—SEE ANNEX NO, at. spiked—the a and cars first-class, while the road-bed is blasted from the mountain side, making it as solid as the everlasting hills upon which it rests. Leaving La Veta, our course is ‘almost due west, winding up Middle Creek, and then on to a high plateau and up Veta Creek. As the train leaves the station at La Veta, the old Sangre de Christo wagon road, —stage road—can be seen on_ the left, where it winds around the side of the mountain. Continuing on up the creek, eight miles from the station, we arrive at Oso—At this sidetrack, by looking di- rectly ahead, away up on the top of around flat-topped mountain—called “Dump” Mountain apparently some great for- tress—can be seen a lone tree in the center. Now, notice the loug reddish line encircling that mountain near its top, Do you see it? That is our road, and there, in front of that low tree, we will be in half an hour, looking down at this station. Again we proceed. Look! on your right, away up—there! That peak is Veta Mountain, 11,512 feet above the level of the sea. Up! up we go! Keep your eye