Page:Life in Mexico vol 2.djvu/78



 Leave Atlacamulco — Assemble by star-light — Balmy atmosphere — Flowers and trees of the tropics — The formidable barrancas — Breakfast under the trees — Force of the sun — Meacatlan — Hospitality — Profitable estate — Leave Meacatlan — Beautiful village — Musical bells — Ride by moonlight — Sugar fires — Cocoyotla — Old gentleman — Supper — Orange trees and cocoas — Delicious water — Sugar estates — A scorpion — Set off for the cave — Morning ride — Dangerous path.

Cocoyotla, 5th.

the morning of the third of February, we rose about half past two, and a little after three, by the light of the stars and the blaze of the sugar fires, our whole party were assembled on horseback in the court-yard. We were about twelve in number. Don Juan, the coffee planter, and Don Pedro, a friend of his, were deputed by the agent to act as our guides. Four or five well-armed mozos, farmservants, were our escort, together with our Mexican boy; and we had mules to carry our luggage, which was compressed into the smallest possible compass. The morning was perfectly enchanting, and the air like balm, when we set off by this uncertain light; not on roads, (much to our satisfaction) but through fields, and over streams, up hills and down into valleys, climbing among stones, the horses picking their