LIGHTENED EQUIPAGE. 169 



down to the river-side, it never entering his 

 conception to walk on foot even a hundred 

 yards), and undressed to bathe with us. After 

 getting out of the water, I threw myself, half 

 dressed, under a broad-leafed shrub, and fell 

 into a sort of waking dream, about the home I 

 had left in a distant land, and the prospect of 

 all that might happen before I could look upon 

 it again, until my reveries were routed by a 

 man from the post-hut, who appeared before 

 me, saying, cc Senor sta pronta la mesa" (Sir, 

 dinner is ready). 



At sunrise the next day we began our 

 journey in light marching trim. Our cortege 

 was reduced to the postilion, and one baggage- 

 horse, carrying two small portmanteaus, a bag, 

 and a gun-case ; over which were my blankets 

 and sheets, and a tarpauling. We divided our 

 cash with the servants and guide, who were to 



vol. i. i 



