172 SIX MONTHS IN MEXICO. 



CHAPTER XXVIII. 



Return from Mexico to Xalapa. 



On the 19th of July, accompanied by Messrs. 

 Bates and Snyders, I left Mexico in a car- 

 riage drawn by eight mules, by the high 

 road for Vera Cruz. We halted for a short 

 time at Ayotla, close to the lake of Chalco, 

 when parting with my son and Mr. Gillow, 

 who had accompanied us thus far on horse- 

 back, we proceeded a few miles farther to a 

 large hacienda, where we proposed to pass the 

 night. On approaching it we were struck 

 with the sound of a large bell, which con- 

 tinued to be rung with great force. Having 

 unloaded our carriage and entered the house, 



