Page:Pictures of life in Mexico Vol 1.djvu/193

Rh swallowed whom a very inadequate party of police-officers are endeavouring to remove. Their efforts, however, only serve to irritate the Indians; whose eyes glow with the fury of intoxication, while they foam at the mouth, and utter wild shrieks; those among them who are armed struggle desperately with the officers; wounds are inflicted; groans are heard, and death is not unlikely result. Drinking and fighting form two of the staple recreations of vast masses of the population of this country.

Without pausing to visit certain establishments in the vicinity, where nefarious doings of different kinds are being carried on, we proceed to a refreshment-booth, especially erected for the day. The principal stall is furnished with ice-creams, chocolate, nuts, spirits, and an assortment of the luscious fruits peculiar to the country. Mexican chocolate is the finest in the world: and is made beautifully, served up hot, well frothed, and creamy to perfection. This, with a handful of cooling fruit, affords us a wholesome, nutritive, and delicious refreshment; and immediately afterwards we take our departure.