212 CENTRAL AMERICA. 



was heard from another side of the quad- 

 rangle ; we listened, and soon found out 

 the cause. " Oh ! friend," said a strong 

 sonorous voice, " what a night to pass with- 

 out a drop of anything to drink !" — " Si 

 Senor," answered another very squeaky voice, 

 " No tengo poncho ni ponche," meaning he 

 had neither a poncho to cover his outside nor 

 punch to warm his inside. Taking up a pine 

 splint, I went round the corner of the cor- 

 ridor, and there found the two speakers, who 

 were surprised and rather alarmed, to see a 

 man with a light in one hand and a naked 

 sword in the other ; but their previous me- 

 lancholy was soon changed to allegro when 

 they were informed that not only a fire and 

 hot water were in the next corridor, but also 

 the very liquor after which they were sigh- 

 ing- 



They lost not one moment, but installed 

 themselves by the cheerful blaze. Having 

 performed the duty of host by supplying them 

 with what they wanted, I began to examine 

 my new acquaintances. Never was there 

 such a difference in outward appearance as 

 they presented, and the only resemblance 

 that could be detected between them was 

 upon subsequent acquaintance ; and here let 



