TWO NIGHTS IN SOUTHERN MEXICO. 85 



ing from a danger of which the nature is not clearly 

 defined, but which we feel to be great and imminent. 

 It is a frightful terror-striking foe, that huge night- 

 moth, which comes ever nearer, growing each moment 

 bigger and blacker. Looking behind us, we catch 

 one last glimpse of the red and bloodshot sun, which 

 the next instant disappears behind the edge of the 

 mighty cloud. 



Still we push on. Hosts of tigers, and monkeys 

 both large and small, and squirrels and jackals, come 

 close up to us as if seeking shelter, and then finding 

 none, retreat howling into the forest. There is not a 

 breath of air stirring, yet all nature plants and 

 trees, men and beasts seems to quiver and tremble 

 Avith apprehension. Our horses pant and groan as 

 they bound along with dilated nostrils and glaring 

 eyes, trembling in every limb, sweating at every 

 pore, half wild with terror, giving springs and leaps 

 that more resemble those of a hunted tiger than of a 

 horse. 



The prayer and exclamations of the terrified Mexi- 

 cans, continued without intermission, whispered and 

 shrieked and groaned in every variety of intonation. 

 The earthy hue of intense terror was upon every 

 countenance. For some moments a death-like still- 

 ness, an unnatural calm, reigned around us : it was 

 as though the elements were holding in their breath, 

 and collecting their energies for some mighty out- 

 break. Then came a low, indistinct, moaning sound, 



