MODE OF LIVING. 



9 



Though without books, newspapers, or any 

 mental amusement, time did not hang very 

 heavy on my hands, except during a long 

 continuance of rain ; and, what with over- 

 looking some mines I was teaching a few 

 Indians to work, and a variety of field sports, 

 I was generally glad to turn in a little after 

 the sun set, to be up in the morning a little 

 before he rose. 



Half tame cattle we could get in abundance 

 from a natural " corral" about nine miles dis- 

 tant, formed by rocks and steep hills., where 

 a great number were kept by herdsmen in 

 the employ of a Spaniard in Leon ; and the 

 forest amply supplied any extra delicacy for 

 the table in the shape of venison, two sorts 

 of wild turkey, partridges, &c. ; and, al- 

 though everything was served in true forest 

 fashion, yet in general all hands had plentiful 

 and wholesome meals : but this was very far 

 from being the case on long excursions, where 

 often, water failing, game failed likewise. Of 

 vegetables we had none, and no bread ; but 

 we had maize, baked over the ashes into a 

 flat cake, and now and then a substitute for 

 cabbage, when we met with a young palm-tree 

 (of the species that gives the palm wine). 



A supply of onions was forwarded from 



