A TROPIC STORM. 165 
A party in better spirits never set out. We had the prospect of relax- 
ation, the sight of something novel, and the hope of propitious skies. 
As the Cathedral clock struck four we put our animals in motion^ — sed 
vana spes / A cloud, which had been for some time threatening, opened 
its bosom. In a moment our serapes were on, the armas de agua tied 
round our waists, and the storm of wind and rain was upon us. We con- 
soled ourselves by thinking it was only the baptism of the expedition. 
At the city gate the guard of Custom-house officers wished to charge 
an export duty on our wine, but our passes from M. de Bocanegra and 
the Governor saved us, and we launched forth on the road to St. Augus- 
tin, with the shower increasing every minute. It is useless to say more 
of this dreary evening. For three hours the rain was incessant ; and 
that the rain of a tropical storm, accompanied by wind and lightning. 
The water flowed from our blankets like spouts. The road over the 
plain was no longer a highway but a water-course, rushing and gurgling 
over every descent. The poor Indians returning from market paddled 
along, shrouded up in their petates. There was no conversation in the 
company. Every one was sulky, and felt a very strong disposition to 
return home and start fair with dry skies to-morrow ; but it was decided 
to push on. Finally, one of our carga mules, with all the provant, 
tumbled over in the mud, and tried to kick himself clear from his load ; 
the arriero, however, was directly over him with his long whip, showering 
blows on head and haunches until he again set him in motion for the 
village. 
It was quite dark when our cold, weary, and uncomfortable party en- 
tered St. Augustin, and knocked at the gate of Mr. M 's country. 
house, where we were to stay for the night. We hoped to find everything 
duly prepared for our reception ; and among our hopes, not the least was 
for a blazing fire to dry our bespattered garments. We came up to the 
door, one by one, silently and surlily. We were not only angry with the 
weather, but seemed to be mutually dissatisfied. After a deal of thump, 
ing, the door was slowly opened, and instead of the salutation of a bril- 
liant blaze in the midst of the court-yard — one miserable, sickly tallow 
candle made its appearance ! A colder, damper, or more uncomfortable 
crew never reunited after a storm ; and we found, notwithstanding the 
usual protection of Mexican blankets, Mexican saddles, and armas de 
agua, that the rain had penetrated most of our equipments, and that we 
were decidedly damp, if not thoroughly drenched. 
We entered the house after disposing of our accoutrements in a large 
hall, and found quite comfortable quarters and beds enough for all par- 
ties. A change of dress, a glass of capital Farintosh, (which was pro- 
duced from the capacious leathern bottle of Douglas,) and a cut at the 
ham, with a postscript of cigars, set us all to rights again ; and at eleven 
o'clock, as I write this memorandum, the party are singing the chorus of 
a song to Du Roslan's leading. 
