Page:Pictures of life in Mexico Vol 1.djvu/203

Rh Zambo! He had been climbing a tree to pick up a bird just shot, and leaning over too far, had lost his balance, and was soused into the deep layer of mud; so that nothing but his head—all of an uniform shape and colour from the slush—was to be seen. His employer and comrades had completely overlooked him; and but for our coming to his assistance, he would certainly have been suffocated. We released him promptly, but with difficulty, from his perilous position: and as we set him upon the bank to shake himself, never did I see either dog or man in such a plight before!

My companions made several other fierce onslaughts on the ducks, until more than a sufficient quantity were bagged; and I was wearied with the sport long before I could prevail on my comrades to relinquish it. I noted, however, that Stiazza became more triumphant than ever on the subject of his cherished Bolo and its successes; that José Pantido was more disposed to extol his own skill and hardihood, than before; that the ragged hunters gazed with savage ardour upon the booty they had accumulated; and that the Zambo—warned by his late