i 



EMBARKING MULES. 



33 



ing to give him an overwhelming idea of my impor- 

 tance ; but he knew no more what it meant than if I 

 had repeated to him in English the fifth problem in Eu- 

 clid. The poor man was almost in as great perplexity 

 as I was. Several times he assented and retracted ; and 

 at length, upon my giving him a letter promising him 

 the protection of Mr. Foster and the commandant at 

 Viejo, he agreed to let the bungo go. 



It was about an hour before dark when we went down 

 to embark the mules. My bungo was at the extreme 

 end of the canal, and the tide had risen so that she was 

 afloat. We began with the gray, by casting a noose 

 around her legs, drawing them together, and throwing 

 her down. The men then attempted to lift her up bod- 

 ily over the side of the bungo ; but failing in this, took 

 off the rudder, and leaning it against the side, hauled the 

 mule up it, then tilted the rudder, and dropped her into 

 the boat. In the mean time the macho stood under a 

 tree, looking on very suspiciously, and with fearful fore- 

 bodings. The noose was put round his legs, with a rope 

 before and behind to pull on, and struggling desper- 

 ately, he was thrown down, but hardly touched the 

 ground before, with a desperate effort, he broke the 

 ropes and rose upon his feet. A second attempt was 

 more successful ; but the two abreast made a close fit, 

 and I was obliged to leave behind the luggage mule. 

 I paid the guarda to take her to Mr. Foster, but whether 

 she reached him or not I have never 'heard. 



We were assisted by the boatmen of another bungo, 

 and I ordered supper and agua ardiente for the whole. 

 This was furnished at the hut by the guarda, and when 

 it was over, the men, all in good spirits, commenced 

 taking the luggage on board. At this time some who 

 were detained were grumbling, and a new man entered 



Vol. II. — E 



