TO LA MAGDALENA. 
421 
lines of these trees bending under their luscious burden ; 
the deep brilliant green of their foliage presenting a 
striking contrast with the bright yellow of the fruit. 
Great quantities are used in the distillation of a strong 
and fiery species of aguardiente. The naan through 
whose house we entered the church was quite polite 
to us, and invited us to drink of this liquor, and to help 
ourselves from heaps of the fruit and of peaches like- 
wise. 
The place is quite neat for a Mexican town, and we 
left it with a very favorable impression, which how- 
ever was somewhat weakened ere long. After we had 
proceeded a mile upon the road, I received an invita- 
tion from the Alcalde to return. Expecting some 
civilities from the head man of the place, I somewhat 
reluctantly obeyed ; for I was desirous to reach Magda- 
lena before nightfall, and would willingly have dis- 
pensed with these hospitalities. I found, however, that 
his object was to ascertain who we were, and to see 
our passports. I informed him who I was, and added 
that by virtue of my office, I claimed a right to go any 
where in pursuance of objects connected with my 
duties. The gentlemen with me, I told him, were at- 
tached to .the Commission; and if he desired to be 
satisfied of the truth of my statement, he must send to 
Magdalena, whither we were going; as my papers were 
now with my baggage on the pack-mules several miles 
in advance. The little, fat, puffy official, was not at 
all satisfied ; he seemed to distrust my statement, and 
wished us to go before the Prefect, to which I deci- 
dedly objected. I again politely told him that I should 
be in Magdalena a couple of days, and would there 
