122 



NARRATIVE OF A 



resolved on passing the night. This hacienda, called el 

 Corral, was a large estate, in which nopal, maize, and 

 other productions, were extensively cultivated. The 

 house was placed unreservedly at our disposal. It was 

 large and substantial, and had a little chapel annexed to 

 it, surmounted by a bell, for calling the people to mass. 

 There was a spacious hall in the house, and a fine piazza 

 in front of it. The latter was assigned to the soldiers ; 

 the horses and mules were confined in a "potrero," hard 

 by, where they were abundantly supplied with provender. 



This time, instead of taxing the hospitality of our host 

 for a supper, we were enabled to invite him to a very good 

 one, prepared by Tito, whose good fortune it had been, on 

 the road, to fall in with a fine piece of venison, which he 

 bought, and also some cream-cheese and a bunch of 

 plantains. 



We learned from the owner of the estate that a few 

 nights before, a small party of marauders had made their 

 appearance before his house, demanding admission. On 

 being refused, they attempted to force an entrance. He 

 was posted within with his servants, and warned them that 

 he would shoot the first man that passed the threshold. 

 After some consultation among themselves, they drew ofT 

 their forces. He showed us his little armoury, consisting 

 of ten or a dozen fire-arms, besides swords and poniards. 

 He said, that on seeing us approach, he had been in some 

 alarm, apprehending a second attack, but, on a nearer 

 view, had become satisfied in regard to our character and 

 intentions. 



A heavy shower fell in the course of the night. It was 

 the first rain that had fallen in any quantity for six 

 months. The next day we found the roads, in conse- 

 quence, rather heavy, and the atmosphere considerably 

 cooler. The latter circumstance, however, was also attri- 

 butable, in a great measure, to the elevation we had at- 

 tained, for in our progress from the coast, we had gradu- 

 ally, but continually ascended, and were now on the high 

 table-lands in the vicinity of Guatemala. 



