62 



SIX MONTHS IN MEXICO. 



a few minutes. I was shocked to observe the 

 change which took place, and in so short a 

 time, from boisterous but innocent mirth, to a 

 display of passions of the very worst de- 

 scription, and in which the ladies took a still 

 more deeply interested part than in the former 

 sports. Those beautiful beaming black eyes, 

 which, but a few minutes before, had sparkled 

 with life and joy, were now overcast and 

 lowring with expressions of avarice and dis- 

 cord: not one jest or even smile occurred 

 during the whole of this short scene; for it 

 only continued whilst the horses were pre- 

 paring, when our cavalcade, consisting of 

 twenty-two persons,* took a narrow path 

 through the woods. It was some time before 

 hilarity resumed its sway, when some cur- 



;.* The ladies in Mexico ride on the same horse with the 

 g-entlemen or servants; but reverse our obsolete English 

 style of riding- double. The lady in Mexico rides in front, 

 sitting- on the contrary side to that used in England, and 

 supported by the arm of the male companion. 



