324 



INCIDENTS OF TRAYE1. 



was soon discovered, and I rode on to the door of our 

 old house. Presently the alcalde appeared, with his 

 keys in his hands and in full dress, i. e., his shirt was 

 inside of his pantaloons; and I was happy to find that 

 he was in a worse humour at the coming of the padres 

 than at our arrival ; indeed, he seemed now rather to 

 have a leaning toward me, as one who could sympathize 

 in his vexation at the absurdity of making such a fuss 

 about them. When he saw my foot, too, he really 

 showed some commiseration, and endeavoured to make 

 me as comfortable as possible. The swelling had in- 

 creased very much. I was soon on my back, and, lying 

 perfectly quiet, by the help of a medicine-chest, starva- 

 tion, and absence of irritating causes, in two days and 

 nights I reduced the inflammation very sensibly. 



