288 ON THE FRONTIER. 



country not to be despised, a most irrepressible "Cosa de 

 Mejico." 



But what did I care for Lozada? In a few days 

 I was going to leave the country, and he was in the 

 mountains. In reply, therefore, to my friend, I asked 

 him to introduce me. He flatly refused, so, seizing 

 a favourable opportunity, mustering my best Hispaiio- 

 Mexicano, and to the extent of my ability, assuming the 

 true lounging swagger of the Mexican cdball&ro I ap- 

 proached the senorita, laid my hand on my left breast, 

 bowed profoundly, waved by sombrero gently, and an- 

 nounced myself. Then I said, " I kissed her feet ; that I 

 had too good taste to ask any other lady in the room to 

 dance until I had requested that favour from her ; and 

 having observed she was as gracious as beautiful, I had 

 felt emboldened to pray her to accord to me that great 

 honour and happiness." A proceeding and speech which, 

 though they would in an English ball-room have been as 

 improper as ridiculous, and have astonished even the most 

 advanced girl of the period, were, under the circumstances, 

 quite the correct thing to do and say. I had behaved 

 with distinguished politeness. The little speech sounded 

 there quite pretty, and my petition was rewarded with a 

 smiling consent. 



When the entertainment ended, I requested to be 

 allowed to escort the senorita home (custom of the coun- 

 try). She answered, "Impossible;" but I might come and 

 see her, to-morrow, if I liked. Was I fond of music ? 

 She would play the guitar and sing to me. She loved 

 singing, and she had heard I had recently come from 



