Page:Narrative of an Official Visit to Guatemala.djvu/33

CH. I.] diligence. The irrigation, effected by sluices from the stream just mentioned, and which also turned a powerful mill, was conveniently and effectually managed. We were on the borders of the Tierra Caliente: the agave was not here to be found with its refreshing beverage, the pulque, but, instead, the sugar-cane was luxuriating in the moist soil and hot atmosphere.

The first notice I perceived of the change of climate, was the effect it had upon our poor animals. The mule I rode was a little thick in the wind, and I believe very old; but she was nevertheless a fine animal, and I was surprised to find her, towards three o'clock in the afternoon, after having travelled about twenty miles, come to a stand-still. She was what they here call soleadod, or sun stricken. About two leagues farther on, we halted. One of the soldiers proposed to bleed her for me, and picking up a bit of stick, he cut it with his sword into a sharp point, and thrust it up