A DANCE. 



381 



and we were really great lions — in fact, equal to an 

 entire menagerie. Whenever we moved, all eyes 

 were turned upon us ; when we spoke, all were 

 silent; and when we spoke with each other in 

 English, all laughed. In the interlude for refresh- 

 ments, they had seen us eat, and all that they want- 

 ed was to see us dance. The padrecito told us 

 we should be obliged to come out. A d^nce was 

 introduced called Saca el suyo, or " take out your 

 own," which brought us all out. The patron then 

 called out the mother of the padrecito, a heavy old 

 lady, whose dancing days were long since over, but 

 she went through her part convulsed with laughter^ 

 and then called out her son, the padrecito, who, to 

 the great merriment of the whole company, tried to 

 avoid the challenge, but, once started, showed him- 

 self decidedly the best dancer at the ball. At elev- 

 en o'clock the ball broke up with great good hu- 

 mour ; the vecinos lighted their torches, and all went 

 home in a body, filing off at different streets. The 

 Indians remained to take their places, and pass the 

 night in the ball-room, dancing in honour of the 

 saint. 



Every evening, besides numerous visiters, we had 

 the baile for recreation. When we did not go, 

 Albino did. His intelligence and position as our 

 head man gave him a degree of consequence, and 

 admitted him within the arbour, where he complete- 

 ly eclipsed his masters, and was considered the best 

 dancer in the place except the padrecito. 



