It was amusing, how, even at this distance, as we mounted the slope, we could hear the constant beating of the _mapaho_ in the village behind us, as if in rejoicing at our departure.

As we neared the summit, our carriers again made signals of a desire to converse.

They would fulfill their whole duty, and would carry their burdens to the town-house in San Pedro, but would we have the kindness, from here on, to take the lead?
Oh, yes, we answered, we would take the lead, and they should see that nothing would happen.

No one would harm us; we were not about to die.
To make a favorable impression, we asked for a drink of water at the first house we came to, and passed a greeting with the few men, women and children whom we met on our way into town.

The greater part of the population was at church, where we found a service in progress, and we were obliged to wait until it was over before we saw the town officials.