It was now dark.

In a mysterious voice, our guide said we must go first to his house; there he secured his _serape_ and a heavy club.

As we left his house he feared we must be hungry and indicated a bread-shop; we purchased and all three ate as we walked; a moment later he suggested that we would need _cigarros_ of course, and a stock of these were added, at our expense.

Then, at last, we came down to business.
[B] The Mexican league is 2.7 miles.
Plainly our guide did not enjoy his task.

Shortly after we started, the moon rose and, from its shining full on the light sand, it was almost as bright as day.