We never learned the actual story, but imagined it somewhat as follows.

The old Mixe, carrying his burden, had probably encountered the young Zapotec and had words with him.

Probably there had been blows, and the old man was having the worst of it when his companions came along and turned the tide of battle.
The road, after passing the _hacienda_, ascended almost constantly for many miles.

We passed clumps of yuccas.

As we mounted we faced a strong and cutting wind, and were glad when any turn in the road gave us a moment's relief.