424 INCIDENTS OF TRAVEL. 



load and agua ardiente. These were the hermanos 

 de la misa, or brothers of the mass, the last incum- 

 bent of the office of the keeper of the box and his 

 successor, to whom it was to be delivered over. 

 Moving on with uproarious noise and confusion, 

 they were set down under the corridor of the quartel. 



In the mean time our procession of women from 

 the church had arrived, the musicians took their 

 places under the corridor, and preparations w^ere 

 immediately made for another dance. Cocom, who 

 had acted as our guide to Nohpat, and had repaired 

 the locks and keys of our boxes, was master of cer- 

 emonies ; and the first dance over, two Mestiza 

 girls commenced a song. The whole village seemed 

 given up to the pleasure of the moment ; there were 

 features to offend the sight and taste, but there were 

 pretty women prettily dressed ; in all there was an 

 air of abandonment and freedom from care that en- 

 listed sympathetic feelings ; and as the padrecito 

 and myself returned to the convent, the chorus 

 reached us on the steps, soft and sweet from the 

 blending of women's voices, and seeming to spring 

 from the bottom of every heart, 



" Que bonito es el mundo ; 

 Lastima es que yo me muera." 



" How beautiful is the world ; 

 It is a pity that I must die." 



