t 



VIRTUE OF A PASSPORT. 199 



the alcalde, and presently that worthy trotted down 

 with six alguazils, marching in single file, all with 

 wands in their hands, and dressed in handsome cloth 

 cloaks, the holyday costume for the Holy Week. We 

 told them that we wanted a guide, and the whole six 

 set off to look for one. In about ten minutes they re- 

 turned single file, exactly on the same trot as before, 

 and said they could not find any ; the whole week was 

 holyday, and no one wanted to leave home. I showed 

 Carrera's passport, and told the justitia he must go him- 

 self, or send one of his alguazils, and they set off again 

 in pursuit. After waiting a little while, I walked to the 

 top of a hill near by, and saw them all seated below, 

 apparently waiting for me to go. As soon as they saw 

 me they ran back in a body to repeat that they could 

 not find a guide. I offered them double price, but they 

 were immovable ; and feeling rather uncertain what 

 turn things might take, I talked largely of Carrera's 

 vengeance, not contenting myself with turning them out 

 of office, but taking off their heads at once. After a 

 few moments' consultation they all rose quietly ; one 

 doffed his dignity and dress, the rest rolled up the cargo, 

 and throwing it on his bare back, placed the band 

 across his forehead, and set him off on a run. We follow- 

 ed, the secretary begging me to write to Carrera that it 

 was not through his fault I was kept waiting, and that he 

 would have been my guide himself if I had not found 

 another. At a short distance another alguazil, by a 

 cross cut, intercepted and relieved the first, and they 

 ran so fast that on the rough road we could not keep up 

 with them. 



The road was indeed rough and wild beyond all 

 description ; and very soon we reached another im- 

 mense ravine, descended it, and commenced an ascent 



