Page:Pictures of life in Mexico Vol 1.djvu/245

Rh

 Moonlight among-the mountains.—City of Zacatecas.—A hot spring.—A convent.—Monkish legend.—Indian discoveries.—Protection by the Government.—Regulations for mining.—Different kinds of mines.—Processes for purifying ore.—Lawyers.—Unjust treatment of Indian labourers.—Payment in advance.—Indian custom on receiving wages.—Correction of offenders.—A thief self-punished.

scene is in the neighbourhood of an extensive silver-mine near Zacatecas, in the north of Mexico, and though it is at a somewhat advanced hour of the night, the miners—or at least a portion of them—are still at work. The effect of the moonlight, as it falls on the edges of the adjoining mountains, is very impressive,—-its brightness in this country being intense: a hard, lustrous outline encircles the moon; and the spots and streaks upon it which resemble lakes and mountains, actually pain the eyes from the luminous glare of light which surrounds them.

In many parts of this mountain district,