:::::::::C TWO BIRD- LOVERS IN MEXICO B-"-"" 



often our cots swayed and creaked with the strange 

 motion, and our canvas roof undulated, when not a 

 breath of air was stirring. 



The days were growing longer and more spring-like. 

 No rain liad fallen for many months, yet a freshness 

 was spreading over everything. One night, a mighty 

 chorus of frogs arose, a rhythmical bellowing, which 

 reverberated throuo-h our little g^lade. The undertone 

 of nocturnal chirping and fiddling small folk increased 

 in volume. The twittering-s of mioratino- birds came 

 to ns in our tents. Flowers became more abundant, 

 quickened by some unknown source of moisture. The 

 occasional combats between the little furred creatures 

 which haunted our camp became nioie fierce and de- 

 cisive. 



One day about four o'clock in the afternoon, a tiny 

 cloud obscured the sun for a moment, something very 

 unusual at this time of year. The following days, at 

 the same hour, larger and still larger clouds passed 

 across its face. We knew at last what it all meant 

 — the rainy season was rapidly approaching, and all 

 Nature was awakening to welcome it. The dusty 

 country, except close to the stream-bed, ached for 

 moisture. This was the spring of the tropics — a 

 change not so much from cold to heat, as from dust 

 to life. The most parched, heat-cracked places now 

 showed a little oreen. Lioht thunder was heard now 

 and then, and one day, without warning, great drops 



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