Page:Life in Mexico vol 1.djvu/259

Rh amongst whose tangled bushes a pretty little tame deer was playing, with its half-startled look, and full wild eye. We found an excellent breakfast prepared, and here, for the first time, I conceived the possibility of not disliking pulque. We visited the large buildings where it is kept, and found it rather refreshing, with a sweet taste and a creamy froth upon it; and with a much less decided odor than that which is sold in Mexico.

This hacienda is under the charge of an administrador, to whom pays a large annual sum, and whose place is by no means a sinecure, as he lives in perpetual danger from robbers. He is captain of a troop of soldiers, and as his life has been spent in "persecuting robbers," he is an object of intense hatred to that free and independent body, and has some thoughts of removing to another part of the country, where he may be more tranquil. He gave us a terrible account of these night attacks, of the ineffectual protection afforded him by the government, and of the nearly insuperable difficulties thrown in the way of any attempt to bring these men to justice. He lately told the President that he had some thoughts of joining the robbers himself, as they were the only persons in the Republic protected by the government. The President, however, is not to blame in this matter. He has used every endeavor to check these abuses; and difficulties have been thrown in his way from very unexpected sources. . ..

Apropos to which, the Consul told us the other day, that some time ago, having occasion to consult Judge  upon an aflair of importance, he