Page:Pictures of life in Mexico Vol 2.djvu/72

50 point. The gaping astonishment of the soldier on perceiving the novel application of his weapon, the struggles of the chief official to preserve his dignity, and the unrestrained laughter of the merchants and bystanders, combined to make the whole scene irresistibly ludicrous.

The soldiers at the custom-house made an excellent dinner that day on the spitted turkeys. As to Don Surillo, though he recovered the greater part of his seagoing treasures, he never would forgive the people at the port, nor his friends, for their enjoyment of the affair. Yet during the voyage often did he console himself with his favourite dish; still did the unctuous moisture trickle from his lips in its presence; still the burden of his contemplations was turkey ever—always turkey.