Page:Pictures of life in Mexico Vol 2.djvu/95

Rh Señor Zarios and Señor Zarios kicked the mule; while the lady and her little boy struggled wildly to release them tugging first at one limb and then at another, and screaming loudly to aid their endeavours. "And this," thought I, "is the party who were proceeding to pay a little social visit to some particular friends of theirs, in Perote!"

We assisted the woe-begone, well-assorted couple to their feet; yet, as we did so, Señor Zarios, stupid and unconscious, muttered words of patronage and independence. But, by this time, some friends whom he had not expected, arrived upon the scene; and bore him and his good lady away with them, to share their quiet hospitality.

Need I add that their evening's entertainment took place in a strongly-guarded reception-room; and that their hosts on the occasion were the police-officers from the town gates.