We found good clearings on the hillside; fair fields of maize and peas, gourds and calabashes; cattle grazed in the meadows; fowls and turkeys were kept; the homes were log-houses, substantially built, in good condition, in neat enclosures; men and women, the latter in European dress, were busied with the duties of their little farms.

Clearing after clearing in the forest told the same story of industry, thrift, and moderate comfort.
After more than five hours of hard travel we reached the Mixe town of Ayutla, and rode at once to the _curato_.

The priest was not at home.

It was market-day, and people were in town from all the country round.

The men, surprised at sight of strangers, crowded about us; some gazed at us with angry glances, others eyed us with dark suspicion, some examined us with curious and even friendly interest.