Lost in the Hills 193 
ran too fast up a rocky slope for the young one, which was 
left behind, and came towards us. It was very pretty, with 
its snow-white bushy tail laid over its black back. We were, 
however, afraid to touch it, fearing that, young as it was, it 
might have a supply of that fcetid fluid that its kind dis- 
charge with too sure an aim at any assailant. The skunks 
move slowly about, and their large white tails render them 
very conspicuous. Their formidable means of defence makes 
for them the obscure colouration of other dusk-roaming 
mammals unnecessary, as they do not need concealment. 
Hour after hour passed, and we reached no house, nor 
met any one on the road; and at last, about nine o’clock, we 
determined to stop at a spot where there was a little grass, 
but no water, as the poor jaded mules had been ridden since 
daylight, excepting for an hour at midday. We spread our 
waterproof sheet from the branch of a tree, and lay down 
dinnerless and supperless, having had nothing but a little 
sweet bread and native cheese all day; we were now too 
thirsty to eat even that. Hearing some frogs croaking in 
the distance, Velasquez went away in the direction from 
whence the sound came, hoping to find some water: but 
there was none, the frogs being in damp cracks in the ground. 
About eleven we heard the noise of men talking; and holloa- 
ing to them, our shouts were returned. We ran across the 
plain, through the bushes, and found two Indians, who were 
returning from some plantations of maize to their home, 
several miles distant. Both were nearly naked, the youngest 
having only a loin-cloth on. When talking to us, they 
shouted as if we were many yards distant; and as soon as 
one began to answer a question, the other went on repeating, 
in a higher key, what the first said. 
They told us that we had come two leagues past Palaca- 
guina, and were on the road to a small town called Pueblo 
Nuevo, and directed us how we should find the right track 
in the morning for continuing our journey to Ocotal. They 
were highly amused at our misadventure, and laughed and 
talked to each other about it. Rito also laughed much at 
the mistake he had made, and though disposed to be angry 
at his obstinacy in bringing us several miles out of our course, 
we knew that he had done his best. All the native servants, 
when they make a mistake, or do any damage accidentally, 
