From here on, although the road varied but little from a level trail, we were obliged to go slowly, and it was with a feeling of true relief that, after floundering for a while in a brook in which our road seemed to lose itself, we heard ourselves called by name, from an indian hut situated a little way up the bank.

As usual, the house consisted of a single room, of no great size, and was lightly built of cane.

Two men, three women, a boy, and three little girls were the occupants.

Our companions were already resting; their horses were unsaddled and were eating contentedly, and we were told that supper was being prepared for us.

Entering the house, we found the women busy making _tortillas_, and fresh goat's meat, hanging from the rafters, gave promise of a substantial meal.