31/79 Sending back a word of thanks, I stated that we would be there for the following night. The result was that, on his return, his parishioners turned out in force to greet him, and hardly was he housed, when a procession bearing gifts marched to the _curato_. In front went one bearing flowers. Those who followed carried some kind of food,--great pieces of meat, fowls, eggs, corn, chilis, and other supplies. The following morning we were awakened by a great explosion of fire-crackers and rockets, and by pealing bells, announcing the early mass. |