LA MULATA 259 



sundry rustlings in corners and among the sheaves 

 of fodder aroused thoughts. A swarm of chickens, 

 mongrel dogs, and pigs, passed in and out of the 

 wide open doors. Every few minutes there was a 

 general clearing out of these intruders by the pro- 

 prietor, but the task once accomplished, the 

 chickens flocked back with the assurance of at least 

 a few minutes' leeway before another attack. 



Later on a handsome young man, bearing a 

 Winchester rifle, dashed up to the door upon a 

 spirited horse and dismounted. With rakish air 

 he swept in, glanced at us without sign of interest, 

 and went into executive session with the proprie- 

 tor. This conference concluded, the young Lochin- 

 var approached us with quiet reserve and dignity 

 of manner. He would get horses and serve us as 

 guide, but the earliest possible start would be the 

 following morning. He must find horses from the 

 country around about, and saddles would be hard 

 to secure for so many, but it could be done. "Adios, 

 gentlemen " ; and, like a projectile, he was off upon 

 his pony. Here was a new genus homo indeed. 



In the hope of utilizing, to best advantage, the 

 day of enforced waiting, we struck off for the San 

 Marcos River, inland a half-mile distant. The 



