Page:Narrative of an Official Visit to Guatemala.djvu/389

CH. XXVI.] a punt over the rapid river which continued still to cross our route. The place was an ordinary ferry, and the boatmen used poles to convey us over, whilst the mules and horses were made to swim across: in our boat, which, might be about fifteen feet long, other passengers had accommodated themselves, amongst whom were four women, who, when we had arrived on the opposite side, went about twenty yards from us and bathed themselves: they were very expert swimmers, and endeavoured to duck each other; playing all sorts of pranks in the water, evidently with a view to attract our approbation as to their agility and prowess. My companions and attendants took no more notice of them than if they had been so many ducks splashing in the water, but to me the sight was as curious as it was novel, and conducted with great decency, considering the habits of the country.

We put up at the house of the Alcalde, having reached the town at four o'clock