Page:Narrative of an Official Visit to Guatemala.djvu/407

CH. XXVIIl.] one to the coast, I was surprised to find that he had put up there, and was chatting, very merrily, with the niece of the host. An Indian had been very properly sent forward to execute the commission, by the advice of the major domo of this inn, who said it was quite impossible for the youth to make his way over the mountain before night fall; as his mule was none of the best conditioned, and the forest was full of swamps and dangerous ravines: I was glad to find that the landlord had used such proper discretion, and we prepared to make ourselves comfortable for the night.

The young woman, whose name was Doña Juana Toribia Samaya, was the life and ornament of this dreary though picturesque spot. She had excited the interest of other European travellers; and shewed me a Bible which had been given her by the consul from the United States, in which was written her name at full length as I have transcribed it, with the name of the donor. She seemed delighted with the