108 SIX MONTHS IN MEXICO. 



this time was highly picturesque at night, as 

 it was near the termination of the dry season, 

 when it is the custom to burn the low brush- 

 wood and dry vegetables, in order to improve 

 and clear the ground for a new crop. They 

 were generally fired at night, when the sides 

 of the hills became a blaze, which spread with 

 rapidity, and resembled the burning lava of 

 a volcano, surrounding the town for many 

 miles with moving sheets of flame. 



Mr, Wilcox having finished the business 

 on which he came, we left this pleasant place 

 about noon, arrived at St. Miguel early in 

 the evening, and experienced the same at- 

 tention from the Indian inhabitants as before. 

 I had furnished myself with a few segars for 

 them, and they seem always gratified with 

 any little attention from Europeans. Some 

 horses, the property of travellers, had lately 

 been carried off from the village, and the 

 Indians placed a strong guard over ours for 



