Page:Narrative of an Official Visit to Guatemala.djvu/303

CH. XX.]

my stay at the Antigua was drawing to a close, it was settled, before the party left, that we should, the next day, employ ourselves in visiting the more beautiful spots in the neighbourhood of the town: accordingly, by eight o'clock, the whole party were ready to set out: many of them were mounted in the double saddle: there was a mule caparisoned in this fashion which was intended for Doña Joanita and one of her servants. It being suggested to me that politeness required I should propose taking charge of her in the saddle, the offer was made and accepted, but not put into effect: her servant, having mounted my horse, found him so intractable, he was compelled to alight, leaving me to relinquish my proffered gallantry in his favour.