126 GRAPE CULTURE AND WINE-MAKING. 



thing that came witbin reach, whether his own or not. When 

 his hands were full, he hunted for the person who had his own, 

 and then reclaimed it, making a mutual exchange. The scene 

 was highly comical, and worthy the pencil of Cruikshank, or 

 Cham, or M'Lenan. When all had reclaimed their effects, there 

 was found to be one package unreclaimed. Here a long parley 

 ensued between the conductor and the railroad officers. They 

 counted and recounted all the luggage, but to no effect. The 

 passengers were all called up, to see if any one would claim the 

 package. I was very much amused at the occurrence, as I felt 

 satisfied that mine was all right, having watched it during every 

 change from Madrid to this place. When the little struggle took 

 place for the baggage, I heroically withstood several fierce attacks 

 on my little valise and carpet bag. Not being able to find an 

 owner for the package, it was laid down, and there took place — a 

 stand-still. 



We walked up and down an hour waiting for something to 

 turn up. All this time the mules were hitched to the diligence 

 upon which was the luggage ; but, to our astonishment, no order 

 was given us to mount. At last the cold atmosphere had its ef- 

 fect upon the brains of the passengers, who became uneasy, and 

 they began questioning each other as to the reason for not start- 

 ing. As no one could answer, impatience soon turned to anger, 

 and one person stepped up to the conductor, who was musingly 

 leaning against a pillar, and asked him for an explanation. He 

 answered that it was on account of this package, for which he 

 was responsible ; he was certain it belonged to some one in the 

 diligence, and he could not take it out of the depot until some 

 one claimed it ; then, again, if he left it behind, the company were 

 responsible for it to the owner, and he did not wish to get him- 

 self into trouble. His answer was cool and philosophical. It was 

 in vain the passengers grew angry; his calmness did not desert 

 him. 



So matters stood when the passengers gathered together again, 

 and consulted vehemently on the subject. At last, when their 

 indignation was fully aroused, they determined to go to a fellow- 

 passenger who was a Delegado, and rouse his energy to action. 

 This important person was calmly seated on a sofa, wrapped up 

 in a warm cloak, thinking of his greatness, or, perhaps, whether 

 Mexico should or should not be again annexed to Spain. In his 

 dream of great things he had altogether forgotten little ones, and 



