Romano and our old troop came up at full speed and relieved us. Captain R., learning the intention of these fellows after they had left Cidral, changed his determination of returning to Salado, and came to our rescue. Interpreter Henrie, knowing more of the language and intentions of these fellows, informed me that we were to be shot, and said that he wished to die as gloriously as possible, and therefore borrowed from the horn of my saddle a flask of vino mascal, into which he looked so long and deep that he had but little power of vision left, and would occasionally ride up against the guards. In this situation, they were about to spear him, when the timely arrival of Captain Romano prevented it. In coming up, our old guard, who, from two weeks' travel and intercourse with, had formed a warm attachment for [152] us, congratulated us upon our escape from these fellows.

We arrived at Mataguala at nine o'clock at night, and found the whole population abroad to see us. We were hurried through the crowd, and quartered at a meson, tavern. Next morning old Colonel D. Matias d'Aquirre came to see us: this old veteran treated us with great kindness, ordered us to be removed to better quarters, and placed under special charge of a humane gentleman and an accomplished scholar, a lawyer by profession, D. Manuel Fernandez Palos. During our three days' stay in this city, we were furnished from the table of this gentleman with every luxury the city could afford.

We were here visited by all persons of distinction, among the rest the priest, a gentleman of superior intelligence and liberal feelings, who afterward sent us several rich viands from his table; also the Baron De Kawinsky, one of the travelling scientific corps of the Emperor of Russia, a gentleman of extensive acquirements, who has been for several years exploring the northern states of Mexico. This excellent old gentleman expressed for us the kind feelings of a father, and upon parting, insisted upon our taking some of his excellent tea, which we highly enjoyed during our trip to Mexico. Upon taking leave of him, we placed in his hands the following note.