The Polynesian., 1841-11-20
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1871.

a hot and dusty country, ardently longing
for sight Of Topic, our first stopping
place, being somewhat fatigucd by our
long ride, after the confinement on board.
WG"rtrYed at II. at IL o'clock, A. M.
having rode distance of twenty leagues
since sunset the preceding evening. Hot,
tired and hungry, we rode through the
town guided by our Arriero, who had Or
ders to take us to the best inn the place
afforded. Our appearance must have
been exceedingly groesque and novel to
the inhabitants, as we rode over the paved
streets Of Topic, covered with dust, and
armed to the teeth. AT last we reached
a miserable looking place, which the Ar
riero entered. and proceeded to unload
the mules, telling us that here we were to
stop. Surprising that so large and hand
some a town as the one we had been pass
inc through must have decent hotel, we
were quite taken aback at the appearance
Of this place which looked more like jail
than an Inn. Our room into which we
were shown was dirty, damp cell, with
brick floor, no windows, aud a pine Ia
BILE and bedstead, its only furniture. We
began to suspect treachery, and that we
were to be incarccrated here by some in
huence of our old acquaintance Castro,
not believing it possible that this was the
6 Hotel" Of Topic. We were now in a
bad prcdicament. Our mulcteer, having
fulfilled the terms Of his bargain had left
us with his animals, and here we were,
tired and hungry, none of us knowing
word of the language, or how to make our
wants known, and uncertain whether we
were in tavern or in prison! DOTTED
my riding gear and making myself look a
little civilized, proceeded to find the house
of the British Consul to whom had let
tiers of introduction, being charged by my
companions to return as soon as possible
and put them in way of supplying the
wants of the inner man. 1t was not with
ont much difficulty that found the resi-
dence Of Mr. B. who received me very
Hospitality, and on being informed of our
awkward situation despatched person
with orders to procure us a dinner, telling
me at the same time that the miserable
hole where we had put up was The Hotel,
"par excellence " of Topic! Mr. 3. in
,roduced me to an American gentleman
connected with his extensive establish
lncnt, who very politely offered his servi-
ces, which were very acceptable to us,
in our unpleasant predicament. We re-
turned to the "Hotel," where my COM
rades were very earnestly and satisfacto-
riIy employed in discussing the merits of
Spanish dinner Mr. ID. our ccerone,
informed us that he knew Of a very agree
able Mexican family, with whom he
thought we could board during our stay
in II. as the "Mesone was e, for no one
but a Mexican, they not being accus,om-
ed to the comforts Of an American Inn
We gladly consented to change and |
accompanied him TO the house of the fam
lily in question. We were received with
true Spanish courtesy, and while my friend
stated our case to the lady Of the house.
| amused myself with observing the other
inmates, who in return paid me the same
attention, whenever they could do so I'M
noticed. Three young girls were sitting
at work sewing and cmbroidering, and two
of them were very pretty. The principal
cpoul ,h,, Wac nvi1aptly tho Oh ~ &