Page:Travels in Mexico and life among the Mexicans.djvu/121

Rh "Who goes there?" shouted another sentinel at the city gate, as we dashed beneath its arched portal and sped away into the country.

"Amigos!" was our reply, and, settling ourselves snugly on the mattress, we prepared for sleep.

We set out on our journey at midnight. The heat of day in Yucatan is so great that all travel is done by night.

"Now, José," said the Consul, "put the mules to their best, because we have sixty miles to do before to-morrow noon."

"Si, señor," replied José, and then he stood out on the dashboard and plied the whip till the speeding mules were hidden in a cloud of dust.

Stretching ourselves on our bed, we almost immediately went to sleep, José's cries of "Moola, moola! hoo, hoo, hoo!" acting as a lullaby.

A volan is intended for only two persons, who lie extended upon the mattress, and take refreshing naps as they are driven