io8 



RUBBER PLANTING ON THE 



make myself comfortable, as had a half dozen Mexicans, each of whom 

 had a similar resting place. 



All were not asleep, however; in fact, my nearest neighbor, a mus- 

 cular young mozo, was just disrobing. While he undressed, his hat, 

 which lay on the cot, showed that it was preempted. Everything was 

 peaceful; the snores of the sleepers, the stamping of the horses outside, 

 the grunting of the pigs that had come in the open doorway and were 

 seeking what they could devour, and the scratching of the flea tormented 



LA FLORENCIA. TAPPING LARGE WILD RUBBER TREE. 



dogs, being the only sounds of life. Breaking in upon all this peace 

 came the big Swede, with a very substantial "jag," and took possession 

 of the nwzo's cot, throwing his hat upon the floor, whereupon the native 

 drew his knife, preparatory to a pointed argument. Not that I cared 

 particularly for the niozo, or for the Swede, but in the interests of fair 

 play I interfered, felling the latter that if he insisted upon taking the 

 cot, the niozo should have mine, whereupon he went out with some 

 grumbling, and wrapping myself in my blanket I went to sleep, feeling 



