331 



INCIDENTS OF TRAVEL. 



mules, and the third is simply a poso, or well, hav- 

 ing merely a cross-beam over the mouth, at which 

 each comer draws with his own bucket and rope. 

 For leagues around there is no water except that 

 furnished by these wells. All the Indians have 

 their huts or places of residence in the village, with- 

 in reach of the wells ; and when they go to work 

 on their milpas, which are sometimes several miles 

 distant, they are obliged to carry a supply with 

 them. Every woman who goes to the noria for a 

 cantaro of water carries a handful of corn, which she 

 drops in a place provided for that purpose : this 

 tribute is intended for the maintenance of the mules, 

 and we paid two cents for the drinking of each of 

 our horses. 



