SIX MONTHS IN MEXICO. 173 



we inquired of the ringer the cause of his con- 

 tinual exertion, when we were informed that 

 his master was getting in part of his harvest, 

 and being fearful of the approaching rain, he 

 was employed to keep it off, and that the 

 bell had been blessed for that purpose by a 

 bishop. We smiled, but were soon convinced 

 of its efficacy, as not a drop of rain fell, and 

 we enjoyed the benefit of the ringing in rabbit- 

 shooting among the large maguey plantations 

 near the house, and in the rich and magnifi- 

 cent prospects which surround the place. 

 When returning we observed two persons ar- 

 rive on horseback ; one of them had a letter 

 for me from Mr. Ruperti of Mexico, which 

 was to recommend and introduce the bearer 

 Jose Cayetano Ponce de Leon, an Indian 

 from the village of Chiaula, near Tezcuco, 

 who wished to accompany me to England as 

 a domestic. He had been informed that I 

 wanted to engage a person of his nation, and 



