Vermin Guerillas 



We then adjourned to a cafe, where we met another friend 

 of Don Alonzo's, an airified, black-bearded, young etnpleado ; 

 that is to say, Government official. 



He had lately been married, and wished to show his 

 house and wife to his friends, and a specimen of the majo 

 costume to me : so we all went with him. His wife was 

 young and pretty, and his holiday costume very gorgeous 

 — rich green velvet all covered with silver spangles. I 

 admired both, but expressed my admiration of the dress. 

 He instantly said it was much at my disposal ; and I re- 

 plied, in a useful phrase out of the handbook, that it could 

 not change its master without disadvantage. We took our 

 leave, and retired to rest in our cam de huespedesJ We 

 had three beds in the same room. All three having: un- 

 dressed, lit a long cigar apiece, and went to bed. The 

 lamp was put out, and the glowing cigar-ends were all we 

 could see of one another. I observed, " Ouando se pone 

 la luna, las estrellas se ven " (when the moon sets, the stars 

 appear), which was received as a brilliant sally by the com- 

 pany, who are very good-natured, and often much amused 

 with my efforts at the language. 



We talked and laughed till our cigars were done ; and as 

 we were getting drowsy, and dropping off, Don Alonzo 

 cried out lustily for a light, saying, " Los animalitos ya me 

 pican muchisimo" (the little animals have begun to sting 

 me exceedingly). I had nearly choked myself smoking 

 under the bedclothes, by way of dissuading the little animals 

 from approaching me ; but my torments shortly began, as 

 by little and little the love of blood overcame the dislike to 

 tobacco in the minds of my bedstead population. I waged 

 a blind and ineffectual warfare all night, to the loss of my 

 rest, and the maculation of my countenance. 



' House of guests. 

 6i 



