64 



NARRATIVE OF A 



bandman, seemed to hold out to agricultural industry a 

 rich reward. 



A little further on, we came to another rancheria, and 

 halted for the sake of a little rest and refreshment. Some 

 eg^s and coffee afforded a tolerable breakfast. 



About five in the afternoon we came to an hacienda, or 

 estate, called Iguana, where we resolved to put up for the 

 night. The owner of this property was absent ; but the 

 steward, who was on the spot, admitted us at once, and 

 throwing open the house for our use, left us to take care 

 of ourselves. The house was large and commodious, and 

 built of cedar. It was partially furnished ; so that we not 

 only had chairs and tables, but beds and hammocks. 

 Even plates and glasses, and other table furniture, were 

 supplied by the steward, when he became satisfied in re- 

 gard to the character of his guests. The mules were led 

 into a spacious stable, and abundantly supplied with green 

 corn-stalks. A couple of fowls fell victims to the necessi- 

 ties of my companions and myself; a mess of black beans 

 and tortillas was prepared for the coarser appetites of the 

 arrieros. 



After dinner, or supper — for it was either, and even 

 both — I took a view of the premises. They consisted of 

 several out-houses, serving for stables, granaries, and lodg- 

 ings for servants^ all situated close to the dwelling-house, 

 and protected, on the side facing the road, by a rude wall 

 of stone, without cement, and a wide gate. There was 

 also an enclosed space, called a potrero, for the confining of 

 cattle. The grounds were partly woodland, and partly 

 cultivated with corn and beans, but the greater portion 

 served for pasturage. 



On retiring to rest, I was furnished with a field-bed, or 

 cot, and a mattress, and thought it luxury. Don Jose, for 

 his own individual use, drew forth from one of his trunks 

 a pair of sheets ; but this, Mr. M. and I pretended to con- 

 demn as an act of effeminacy, and rallied Don Jose on the 

 bad example he was setting. He confessed that the occa- 



