Forty or fifty men and women of medium stature, dark-brown skin and broad, expressionless faces, watched our every movement with curiosity, but none was ready to assist us in carrying our luggage to the _curato_.

Taking it ourselves, as best we could, we found a boy to direct us and made our way to the house.

The _cura_, had gone to Quiroga and his suspicious household would not receive us until his return, although permitting us to leave our goods.

Going to the _plaza_, we succeeded in getting bread and cheese at a _tienda_, and after eating loitered until, at half-past-two, the Padre Ponce made his appearance.
We showed him our letters and asked his interest and aid.

He at once made us at home in his house, summoned the officials, read the governor's letter aloud to them, and told them it was their duty to assist us in every way.