Page:Narrative of an Official Visit to Guatemala.djvu/397

CH. XXVII.] some sheds standing in an elevated spot, in the open fields, clustered round with large groves and thickets, and stopped here for the night: this halting place, which is four leagues from Gualañ is called the Rancho, or farm, of Iguana: the mules were turned loose into the fine pastures, for the night, and, as I apprehended, took an hour or two longer in being collected in the morning than was agreed on for the time of our departure. One had strayed away from the rest, and the peons having scoured the country for half a league round, at last brought her up by means of the leading yegua, or mare. This animal is bred a sort of natural pioneer, and one of them is quite necessary for every separate drove. The young leader (a filly is always preferred, and of a light colour as being more distinguishable by the beasts of burthen) is habituated to accompany its dam, and being accustomed to keep by her side, instinctively, ever after takes the lead of the other animals: this she is the more easily enabled to do, as she carries