Page:Pictures of life in Mexico Vol 1.djvu/204

176 —was most especially careful of again spilling himself among* the marshes.

We finished the day, by selecting a dry place a little distance from the lake; lighting a fire upon the ground; cooking half a dozen of our victims over it, and making a hearty meal: then stretched ourselves on our serapés—those of us who had any—as the preliminary to a night's repose.

We retraced our steps on the following morning—after enjoying a few stray shots by the way, intending to arrive at the hamlet whence we set out, before noon. Every individual of the troop was in the highest possible spirits: the sportsmen were again boasting of their weapons and their aim; the emaciated ones joyful that they were provided with a large supply of food for their families; and I, happy that my stay in that portion of the country was drawing to a close. We had even arranged to have a sumptuous repast together off our prey, when we should arrive; and all was exultation, noise, and merriment.

We had scarcely made our way, however, to the neighbourhood of the rocks which reared themselves midway on our