MESSING AROUND IN MEXICO 



badly soiled except along the edges; a straw 

 hat with half a brim, and neckties of purest 

 silk with bouillon polka dots. The chief an- 

 nexed these offerings and grinned so pleasantly 

 that our Mexican pilot shuddered and backed 

 into the whistle cord. 



We showered presents upon our visitors, 

 and practically everything we gave them they 

 either ate or put on. When we signified that 

 we were going ashore for a more intimate pow- 

 wow, they shouted vociferously and stirred 

 the water to foam in their eagerness to go and 

 prepare for us. 



Prompted by affection and respect, our na- 

 tive navigator made one last appeal. These 

 were bad people, he declared. They would 

 probably make drum heads of our hides, and 

 how would we like to be served up with dump- 

 lings and have our jewelry worn by people like 

 these? As individuals we meant nothing to 

 him, but his friends in Guaymas would be 

 bound to talk if he returned alone. 



There were perhaps twenty Seris in sight 

 when we put off in the skiff, and they came 

 leaping across the rocky beach to welcome us. 

 They dashed into the water, seized the boat 

 and ran it ashore, then examined us with much 



275 



