82 TRAVEL, ADVENTURE, AND SPORT. 



from the trunks to the branches and summits of the 

 trees, and thence again falling gracefully down, and 

 catching and clinging to the mangroves and blocks of 

 granite. It burst upon us like a scene of enchant- 

 ment, as we emerged from the darkness of the forest 

 into the dazzling light and colouring of that glorious 

 valley. 



" Misericordia, misericordia I Audi nos peccadores / 

 Misericordia, las aquas/" suddenly screamed and 

 exclaimed the Mexicans in various intonations of 

 terror and despair. We looked around us. What 

 can be the matter 1 We see nothing. Nothing, ex- 

 cept that from just behind those two mountains, 

 which project like mighty promontories into the 

 valley, a cloud is beginning to rise. "What is it? 

 What is wrong ? " A dozen voices answered us 



" Par la Santa Virgen, for the holy Virgin's sake, 

 on, on ! No hay tiempo para hablar. We have still 

 two leagues to go, and in one hour comes the flood." 



And they recommenced their howling, yelling 

 chorus of " Misericordia ! Audi nos peccadores/" 

 and " Santissima Virgen, and Todos santos y an- 

 geles!" 



11 Are the fellows mad 1 " shouted Bowley. " What 

 if the water does come ? It won't swallow you. A 

 ducking more or less is no such great matter. You 

 are not made of sugar or salt. Many's the drenching 

 I've had in the States, and none the worse for it. 

 Yet our rains are no child's play neither." 



