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388 gift, though it was not likely to be very useful, as, I think she informed me, she could not read. In her conversation with Don Eugenio, it appeared that they had previously met, and that it was now two years since they last had that pleasure: nobody could see her without being struck with her beauty; she had also a great share of prudence, for I was indebted to her for some personal advice which at once discomfited and surprised me;—as she cautioned me not to move about the door-ways after dark, without shoes, as there were snakes which sometimes crawled about the door-posts, whose bite was instant death.

The person who keeps this posada is Don Manuel Mansano; and any person landing at Izabal, who wishes to go up the country, must address themselves to him for the purpose of procuring mules for the journey.