At this, even the _jefe_ balked, declaring that he was not in favor of really robbing the gentlemen.

Paying him the seventeen dollars and twenty-five cents, in order that there might be no further discussion, we started.

Just as we left, the man who supplied the animals decided that our loads, which before had been so large, were really not too large for three mules, which number was actually sent with us, though we had paid for four.
We were ready for starting at seven, but it was ten before we left.
Meantime, clouds had gathered, and just as we started, rain began.

There were first several separate showers, and then a steady downpour, which lasted almost till we reached Pahuatlan.

All the blankets had been packed away, and we rode through the rain until our clothes were drenched through and through.