42 



LA MESSA. 



as, though evidently of a most unwarlike character, he 

 added another to our number ; and had moreover been 

 one of our fellow-prisoners in the Halcyon. I should 

 still mention two saddle mules ; and then sum up our 

 forces, as consisting, in all, of nine souls and seventeen 

 quadrupeds. Whatever may have been the intrinsic 

 value of our pluck, we certainly cut a rather imposing 

 figure. 



Till we should arrive at the town of Zacualtipan, 

 within four or five days' journey of the capital, there was 

 nothing to fear from banditti, if common report spoke 

 truly. 



Thus, you may imagine us, when once in motion on 

 the morning of our quitting Tampico Alta, proceeding 

 league after league, under any easy pace, through that 

 beautiful undulating country, clothed with its gorgeous 

 flowering thickets, to which 1 have already alluded. 

 Many an expression of admiration burst from us as a new 

 bird or splendid flower attracted our at tention. An 

 occasional shot hazarded at a rabbit or pheasant, alone 

 broke the silence which reigned over this waste but 

 beautiful region. After about seven leagues' ride, we 

 halted for two hours at a rancho, or farm, for our break- 

 fast of cabbage palm, salad, and eggs. Poor fare, you 

 would say ; but, truth compelling, 1 must admit that sun- 

 dry additions were supplied from our travelling stores, 

 and to name them would at once let you into the secret, 

 that, however warlike, we were not to be classed with 

 those doughty warriors of old, who had "no stomach 

 but to fight." 



From the vicinity of this farm, the undulating country 

 for many miles became perfectly open, totally denuded 

 of bushes, though occasionally studded with bands of 

 thick forest, and altogether reminded us strongly of the 

 great prairies, till about sunset, when we gained a swell- 

 ing elevation affording a wide view towards the east. 

 In that quarter the vast Laguna Tammiagua, only sep- 

 arated from the gulf by a narrow band of sand hills, 

 extended as far as the eye could reach. 



Shortly after, we arrived at a large hacienda, called 



