A BALL. 



439 



In the evening we went to the ball, which was 

 held in, or rather out of, a house on the corner of 

 the plaza. The sala was opened as a refreshment 

 room. In the corridor was a row of seats for those 

 who did not take part in the dance, and in front 

 was an arbour projecting into the plaza, with a ce- 

 mented floor for the dancers. The ball had begun 

 at eight o'clock the evening before, and, with an in- 

 termission of a few hours toward daylight, had been 

 continued ever since ; but it was manifest that there 

 were limits to the capabilities of human nature even 

 in dancing. The room was already less crowded 

 than it had been during the day. Two officers of 

 the army (militia), who had been toiling all day 

 with a determination that promised well for Yuca- 

 tan under the threatened invasion of Mexico, had 

 danced off their military coats, but still kept the floor 

 in light jackets. One placed a chair for his droop- 

 ing partner during the intervals of the dance. An- 

 other followed his example, and by degrees every 

 lady had her seat of relief. At the last call only 

 four couples appeared on the floor. Ladies, fiddlers, 

 and lights were all wearing out together, and we 

 went away. Before we were in our hammocks a 

 loud burst of music, as it were a last effort of expi- 

 ring nature, broke up the ball. 



