Here we asked our way, and found that we were still as far from San Mateo, as when we left Huilotepec the night before.

Eating a light breakfast, we secured a guide who took us, by the shortest way across the river, back to the main trail for San Mateo, where he left us.

The road was long and hot and sandy.

Our horses could hardly keep up a decent walk.

It seemed that we would never reach the town.