My first impulse was "forward", which I obeyed by springing through the jessamines.

But the fear of intruding upon a scene _a la Diane_ changed my determination, and my next thought was to make a quiet retreat.
I was preparing to return, and had thrust one leg back through the hedge, when a harsh voice--apparently that of a man--mingled with the silvery tones.
"_Anda!--anda!--hace mucho calor.

Vamos a volver_." (Hasten!--it is hot.

Let us return.) "_Ah, no, Pepe! un ratito mas_." (Ah, no, Pepe! a little while longer.) "_Vaya, carrambor_!" (Quick, then!) Again the clear laughter rang out, mingled with the clapping of hands and short exclamations of delight.
"Come," thought I, once more entering the parterre, "as there appears to be one of my own sex here already, it cannot be very _mal a propos_ to take a peep at this amusement, whatever it be." I approached the row of plantain-trees, whose leaves screened the speakers from view.
"_Lupe! Lupe! mira! que bonito_!" (Lupe! Lupe! look here! What a pretty thing!) "_Ah, pobrecito! echalo, Luz, echalo_." (Ah! poor little thing! fling it back, Luz.) "_Voy luego_," (Presently.) I stooped down, and silently parted the broad, silken leaves.

The sight was divine! Within lay a circular tank, or basin, of crystal water, several rods in diameter, and walled in on all sides by the high screen of glossy plantains, whose giant leaves, stretching out horizontally, sheltered it from the rays of the sun.
A low parapet of mason-work ran around, forming the circumference of the circle.