Page:Life in Mexico vol 2.djvu/359

 Rh entirely carpeted with the loveliest blue, white, pink and scarlet wild flowers, and clothed with natural orchards of peach and apricot trees in full bloom; the grass strewed with their rich blossoms. Below, ran a sparkling rivulet, its bright gushing waters leaping over the stones and pebbles that shone in the sun like silver. Near this are some huts called Las Palomas, and it was so charming a spot, that we got off our horses, and halted for half an hour; and while they prepared breakfast for us, a basket of provisions from Pascuaro having been brought on by the provident care of Doña we clambered about amongst the rocks and luxuriant trees that dipped their leafy branches in the stream, and pulled wild flowers that would grace any European garden.

Having breakfasted in one of the huts, upon fowl and tortillas, on which memorable occasion two penknives were produced, (and I still wonder why we did not bring some knives and forks with us, unless it be that we should never have had them cleaned,) we continued our journey. And this mention of knives leads me to remark, that all common servants in Mexico, and all common people, eat with their fingers! Those who are rather particular, roll up two tortillas, and use them as knife and fork; which I can assure you from experience, is a great deal better than nothing, when you have learnt how to use them.

Our road after this, though even wilder and more picturesque, was very fatiguing to the horses; up and down steep rocks, among forests of oak and pine, through which we slowly wended our way, so that it