JOURNEY TO GUATEMALA. 



77 



the cross, and under a shed formed of green palm leaves, 

 stood a little altar with an image, and lights burning be- 

 fore it. Two musicians, one with a drum, and the other 

 with a sort of flageolet, called dulzaina, were playing ; 

 and a crowd of women, sitting round the cross, prayed 

 and sang alternately. 



Having been furnished by Don Juan with an introduc- 

 tion to a friend of his in Sacapa, Don Mariano * * * we 

 alighted at the house of this gentleman, and met with a 

 favourable reception. The house of Don Mariano, one of 

 the best in the place, though only one story high, was 

 built round an area, or court-yard, in which a few trees 

 were planted that afforded an agreeable shade. On three 

 of the sides of the house, facing the area, there were vari- 

 ous rooms for different purposes, the doors of which 

 opened into a corridor, or piazza. The part of the house 

 next to the street, consisted of a good sala, or parlour, a 

 room for dining, and a store for the sale of goods. 



Soon after our arrival at Sacapa, we became satisfied 

 by the statements of Don Mariano, that to proceed any 

 further on tr^it road would be the worst of follies. He 

 assured us that, from that town to Guatemala the country 

 was infested by the factious Indians, who hovered about 

 the roads in small parties, plundering and murdering, and 

 showing no mercy to their victims, especially if they were 

 foreigners. To travel ten leagues beyond Sacapa without 

 falling in with one of these parties, he considered a matter 

 of impossibility. The alcalde of the place, who was con- 

 sulted, expressed the same opinion. With the advantage 

 of a military escort, the attempt, he said, might be suc- 

 cessful ; but as none could be procured in that place, he 

 advised our remaining for the present where we were. 



The result of these deliberations was the suspending of 

 our journey. After a detention of two days, a new con- 

 sultation was held, in order to decide upon the next step 

 to be taken. We were unwilling to remain much longer 

 in Sacapa ; to proceed to Guatemala was impracticable ; 



