Page:Narrative of an Official Visit to Guatemala.djvu/41

CH. II.] which was indifferently roasted. After our meal, our saddle-rugs being spread on the floor, we took our siesta: but my attention was chiefly occupied by the proceedings of this more than patriarchal establishment: now and then a child came running in to get a drink of water, to which it would help itself by a small wooden bowl composed of the rind of a gourd finely painted with red, with silver and gilt ornaments, dipping it into a coarse earthen jar, and replacing the gourd on the top so as to exclude the dust and air. The poultry were busily employed in picking up the crumbs of the repast, and a sturdy old sow was disputing a bone with one of our sportsman's mongrels, who boldly, though not so effectually, asserted his privileges and title to the offals of the chase. I gave the two eldest children, who had now been desperately employed in ridding me from the annoyance of these animals, a dollar a-piece. I soon found that my bounty was lavish and inconsiderate: in a few minutes, children were seen pouring out from