CHAPTER XIV 



AROUND THE VOLCANO BY MOONLIGHT 



EFORE starting on the long trail back 



to Tuxpan, we spent an evening in the 



city of Colima. This, owing to its isolated 



position, is one of the most typical of 



Mexican cities. 



The evening was a perfect one and the band in the 

 Ijlaza was excellent. The orange-trees were in blossom, 

 and the little park was full-flowered. The governor's 

 palace, at one side of the lAaza, is Moorish in design, 

 and when the great yellow moon rose behind the 

 graceful building, its minarets and turrets were thrown 

 into sharp, black relief. 



In the bare light of day, the filth, rags, and squalor, 

 the low brows and bleared eyes, the tumble-down, 

 flimsy houses cannot be hid from view. But night and 

 the soft tropical moonlight changed all. It was impos- 

 sible to recall the unpleasantness. The rough-walled 

 houses were softened in outline ; the tumble-down 

 became the picturesque. The slouchy step of the 

 people was now befitting, as they strolled slowly about 

 the thronged iilaza, for it w^as Sunday and a gala 

 nio-ht. 



o^ 340 #* 



