Peis 
[7] ae . 42 
‘usually seated himself on the tongue of the wagon, his time divi- q 
ded between belaboring his beasts and scratching his head. In 
one of. these a violin was being played, and the women who were 
sitting on their feet, made the most of the music by brandishing — 
their. bare arms and moving their heads to the cadence. At night 
there was a -theatrical representation in the public square. The 
piece dramatized was from the Old Testament. 
During the day I had been puzzled by seeing at regular intervals 
on the wall surrounding the capilla, and on the turrets of the ca- 
pilla itself, (which be it remembcred is of mud,) piles of dry wood. 
he mystery was now to be cleared up. At a given signal all were 
lighted, and simultaneously a flight of rockets took place from 
every door and window of the chapel, fire-works of all kinds, from 
‘the blazing rocket to children’s whirligigs, were now displayed 
in succession. The pyrotechny was the handicraft of the priests. 
I must say the whole affair did honor to the church, and display- 
ed considerable chemical knowledge. Most of the spectators were 
So ico iat ak 2 lead | Nee I Pali As é LAB ei 
-. on mules, each with his woman in front, and it was considered a 
i ~ 
3 
- 
great feat to explode a rocket under a mule’s belly without previous . 
intimation to the rider. “i 
September 8.—Long. shall I remember the féte of Tomé, a scene 
at once so novel and so striking. To-day, my duties called me off 
early in the morning. 
-I had to examine guides in reference to the route to California, 
and engage such as I might think fit for the trip. re a 
My last interview of this kind to-day was in a species of public 
building, or guard-house, where a number of Mexicans had col- = 
lected with arms. Several written tablets hung round the walls, : 
but they were perfectly illegible. Our business was cut short by — 
a sedan chair, borne by four men, was reated a wax figure nearly ~ 
as large as life, extravagantly dressed; following immediately wert 
three or four priests, with long tallow candles, a full yard in length. 
ome American officers followed, each holding a candle. Unfortu--— 
nately I emerged just as this group was passing; there was no es- 
cape, and the moment I joined a grave Mexican (apparently a man ~ 
in authority,) thrust a candle into my hand. I thought of my coat, — 
my only coat, the coat which was on my back, and which must ~ 
take me to California, and back again into the interior of Mexico? — 
Suddenly there was a halt without any word of command, and in — 
the confusion we jostled against each other and distributed the 
tallow in great profusion 
‘It was thought proper that the officers should show every respect 
the sound of passing music. A strange sight presented itself. iy 
_ to the religious observances of the country, consequently they did 
not decline participation in these ceremonies. % 
The procession ended at the church. After the services there — 
_were’ concluded we repaired to the house of the padre, where we 
found a collation. A : 
_ We had proposed attending a theatrical representation going on 
in the open air, but a heavy squall of wind and a few drops of 
rain put a stop to this amusement, and all retired to dress for the 
4 
oe. aes - 
