168 



SIX MONTHS IN MEXICO. 



Here we were instantly surrounded by the 

 alcalde and our friends, who began to pre- 

 pare dinner for us ; and whilst Mr. Goulde 

 was employed in engaging forty of the people, 

 and fourteen oxen, to proceed to meet the 

 machinery of the engine, and assist in re- 

 moving it through the woods to the village, I 

 strolled with my gun over the plain to the 

 neighbouring woods, and procured some of 

 the birds which now form a part of my Ex- 

 hibition. In this ramble I was followed by 

 numbers of young men and boys : their de- 

 light and astonishment at seeing a bird killed 

 whilst flying was so great, that it was a long 

 time before they could be quieted. Each 

 bird was brought home for me by a separate 

 bearer ; and, on our arrival at the village, 

 the detail of the wonderful manner in which 

 it was killed was recounted with great ani- 

 mation to their friends. The Indians re« 

 mained with us till after supper, when as 



