Page:Pictures of life in Mexico Vol 1.djvu/149

Rh thought. In conclusion, I will relate an incident in connection with one of them that came under my own observation.

It was noon, when the traffic and hustle of the most frequented part of the city were at their height; market-women were ranged about the squares, and under gate-ways and porches, with chickens, turkeys, and other birds in coops and cages, for sale; Indians from different parts of the country, also, cowered on the ground close by their small stocks of earthenware, cakes, and small goods; country-people stood beside their panniers laden with maize, onions, and other vegetables and esculent roots; tradesmen were busy in the shops disposing of their ribbons and laces; and léperos in the neighbourhood were on the watch for an opportunity to steal—all just as usual.

Suddenly the hubbub of the assembled throng was hushed, and a sound as of music or singing struck upon the ear; a carriage of a round shape, and of no very graceful construction, gaudily painted red, blue, and yellow, and highly varnished—with windows both before and behind it, and on each side, and drawn by finely-caparisoned mules—turns slowly into