In less than half an hour the table fairly creaked under the weight of a sumptuous dinner.

This is no figure of speech.

There were dishes of massive silver, with huge flagons of the same metal, and even cups of gold! "_Senores, vamos a comer_" (Come, let us eat, gentlemen), said Don Cosme, politely motioning us to be seated.

"I fear that you will not be pleased with my _cuisine_--it is purely Mexican--_estilo del pais_." To say that the dinner was not a good one would be to utter a falsehood, and contradict the statement of Major George Blossom, of the U.S.
quarter-master's department, who afterwards declared that it was the best dinner he had ever eaten in his life.
Turtle-soup first.
"Perhaps you would prefer _julienne_ or _vermicelli_, gentlemen ?" inquired the Don.
"Thank you; your turtle is very fine," replied I, necessarily the interpreter of the party.
"Try some of the _aguacate_--it will improve the flavour of your soup." One of the waiters handed round a dark, olive-coloured fruit of an oblong shape, about the size of a large pear.
"Ask him how it is used, Captain," said the major to me.
"Oh, I beg your pardon, gentlemen.

I had forgotten that some of our edibles may be strange to you.