QUEROBABI. ~ 113 
The present occupiers of Querobabi seemed to have 
nothing about them to cause suspicion. They took advantage 
of the presence of a doctor to hold a long consultation with 
me, and the gift of a small box of pills placed us on excellent 
terms. But the next ranche, Tabique, had a bad name. Its 
owners had joined the Imperialist party, and lost their all in 
defence of Maximilian’; and it was rumoured that since their 
‘return from temporary exile, they were in the habit of 
harbouring brigands, even if they did not go so far as to join ” 
them in their marauding excursions. This place was thirty- 
was that contained in the tank belonging to this ranche; it 
was enclosed by a wall and thick hedge, which passed around 
‘it from the ends of the building at the back. 
_ As there was no help for it, we jogged up to the entrance 
gateway on our tired mules just after sunset; looking, I 
imagine, as poor a pair of travellers as often passed through 
this deserted country ; and a curious lot of people we found 
inside. All around the central enclosure different families of 
peons were gathered together under the tumble-down sheds 
‘or outhouses which had been built against the lofty outer 
wall. They were cooking their meals around the different 
fires, the lights from which flickered up between the legs and 
arms of the naked children, and half disclosed the features of 
the women, whose swarthy complexions and piercing black 
eyes peeped out from beneath the large shawls and robosos 
"which covered them. The old mansion had been burned 
down in the late war, and blackened ruins appeared here and 
: there, adding greatly to the general desolation. 
- Lounging at the gate, or occupying the few benches which 
the place afforded, were the male portion of the community. 
; VOL. i. : I 
