346 



INCIDENTS OF TRAVEL. 



we had heard of as existing in that neighbour- 

 hood ; and, after ascertaining their position, we 

 considered that they could be visited to the best 

 advantage by making this place our head-quarters. 

 We had the prospect of being detained there some 

 time, and, as the casa real was low, damp, and 

 noisy, and, moreover, our apartment was wanted for 

 the schoolroom, by the advice of the padrecito we 

 determined to abandon it, and take up our abode in 

 the convent. 



This was a long stone building in the rear of 

 the church, standing on the same high table-land, 

 overlooking the village, and removed from its annoy- 

 ances and bustle. In the part immediately adjoin- 

 ing the church were two large and convenient apart- 

 ments, except that, quick in detecting all which 

 could bring on a recurrence of fever and ague, we 

 noticed on one side puddles of water and green 

 mould, from the constant shade of the great wall of 

 the church, and on the door of one of the rooms 

 was written, "Here died Don Jose Trufique: may 

 his soul rest in peace." 



In these rooms we established ourselves. On one 

 side of us we had the padrecito, who was always 

 gay and lively, and on the other six or eight Indian 

 sacristans, or sextons, who were always drunk. Be- 

 fore the door was a broad high platform, running 

 all round the church, and a little beyond it was a 

 walled enclosure for our horses. Opposite the door 

 of the sacristia was a thatched cocina, or kitchen, in 



