SIX MONTHS IN MEXICO. 



77 



grain, they are suffered to depart unmolested. 

 At half a league distance, the river spreads 

 itself into a marsh, and is covered by flocks 

 of aquatic birds, ducks, herons, and snipes, 

 which are likewise but seldom disturbed by 

 the inhabitants. 



The next morning we set off early, and 

 breakfasted at Napaluca, where there is a 

 pretty church, built in a good style, and 

 where we found the best pictures we had yet 

 seen in Mexico. Here it was thought requi- 

 site to procure an escort to Puebla, and our 

 guard consisted of the mayor, or chief officer 

 of the place, and five others, who stipulated 

 to attend us completely equipped with fire 

 arms, but on their arrival we found that they 

 had but one old musket for the whole party. 

 When we complained of this, his worship in- 

 formed us that arms were unnecessary, as the 

 robbers knew him well, and would be very 

 careful to keep out of his way. Most of this 



