74 TRAVEL, ADVENTURE, AND SPORT. 



feared a storm, and that the nearest habitation or 

 shelter was at many leagues' distance. Thanks to 

 the remedies that had been applied, our sufferings 

 were much diminished. We felt weak and hungry ; 

 and telling the Mexicans we should be ready to 

 proceed in half an hour, we desired our servants to 

 get us something to eat. But' our new friends fore- 

 stalled them, and brought us a large piece of iguana, 

 with roasted bananas, and cocoanut-shell cups full of 

 coffee, to all of which Rowley and I applied ourselves 

 with much gusto. Meanwhile our muleteers and the 

 Tzapotecans were busy packing their beasts and mak- 

 ing ready for the start. 



We had not eaten a dozen mouthf uls when we saw 

 a man running down the hill with a branch in each 

 hand. As soon as he appeared, a number of the Mexi- 

 cans left their occupations and hurried to meet him. 



" Siete horas / " shouted the man. " Seven hours, 

 and no more ! " 



" Xo more than seven hours ! " echoed the Tzapo- 

 tecans, in tones of the wildest terror and alarm. " La 

 Santissima nos guarde. ! It will take more than ten 

 to reach the village." 



" What's all that about 1 " said I, with my mouth 

 full, to Rowley. 



" Don't know some of their Indian tricks, I 

 suppose." 



" Que es esto ? " asked I carelessly. " What's the 

 matter?" 



