conduct him to the house of our friend. Dan had not proceeded far before he employed a suitable guide, which his knowledge of the language rendered easy. In reaching the door of our friend, he, with a cunning wink, said to Don ------, as he opened it, "I have brought your watch, which your brother sent up from Vera Cruz." "Ah," says the Don, "come in;" and, shutting the door after him, a word explained who he was, and that myself and Reese were by the side of the old church. The Don put on his blanket, and came down with our concerted signal; he gave the true sign; we followed him in silence, and when we entered his house, found his good señora preparing a warm supper, with a most delightful toddy ready mixed.

Those, and those alone, who have experienced like suffering, may form a reasonable estimate of our present happiness: once more under a kind roof, with a smoking supper before us - what inexpressible felicity!

We were conducted after supper to a secret hiding-place, where we found Toowig carefully ensconced, having gotten into the city one night ahead of us. This was the first intelligence we had of him since we separated in the mountains three nights previous. Here we remained five days, and were treated with a kindness by these good people we never shall forget. Mexican women are kind-hearted to a degree, which makes their goodness [341] contrast singularly with the vices of the men. Our feet and legs were bathed and poulticed; and we sent out and purchased good shoes, and all the paraphernalia of the mountain ranchero, preparatory to our farther journey. Here we luxuriated in a great variety of tropical fruits grown in the neighbourhood, and by the sixth night we had become so far resuscitated from our mountain fatigues as to be able to proceed.

Don ------, whose name we regret the impropriety of mentioning, as it would doubtless occasion him persecution from his government, was known to us from a long negotiation. No one knew better than he the country and its inhabitants, from Santa Anna down to every mountain robber of decent reputation. His pride was greatly enlisted in our success, and he had ample means of assisting us.

At 10 o'clock of the sixth night, the Don said to us, "Prepare to follow me, and ask no questions." We did so, and he led us through the city into a dark valley about two miles off, and after telling us to hide in the bushes, he went about one hundred yards farther down the hollow, and bringing a shrill whistle, a tall, well-made, active man, about thirty-five years of age came to him. A very few words were passed between them, they having been together the night previous, and perfected all arrangements. The moon shone bright; they came in the direction of where we were concealed in the shade of some bushes, and called to us to come forth. [342] "This man," said the Don, "you must follow, but ask no questions. My express ahead will complete every arrangement for you in Vera