244 SIX MONTHS IN MEXICO. 



when all must be again repacked and re- 

 loaded, an operation which often requires 

 two hours. From the time of being yoked to 

 the carriage to their finishing a journey some- 

 times of from forty to fifty miles, do these 

 patient animals continue their unceasing ex- 

 ertions over wretched roads, in the hottest 

 sun, without tasting food or even a drop of 

 water. Neither horses nor mules (except 

 those belonging to the great), are ever 

 dressed, but they have a custom of washing 

 them, on their day's labour being finished, 

 by sprinkling them copiously with cold 

 water, an operation which they consider to 

 be very refreshing and beneficial to .their 

 health.* 



The full harness and equipment of a Mexi- 

 can cavaliero is very elegant, and often very 

 expensive; the saddle, bridle, and accoutre- 



* I have sometimes observed the driver during a hard 

 day's labour wash their ears with pulque. 



