Page:Travels in Mexico and life among the Mexicans.djvu/200

192  'Ave Maria Purissima, que salga el sol.' Liberally, 'Holy Mary, let the sun come out!' "Jalapa was formerly on the great highway between Vera Cruz and Mexico (the city), which, both below and beyond, was infested by the salteadores, or

"gentlemen of the road." Of the past, however, are these tales, for the railway has superseded the diligence, and the poor highwayman must now labor with his hands.

Xalapa was a town existing when the first Spaniards marched up these mountains, as is stated in their reports. Beyond it is