The Polynesian. [volume] (Honolulu (Oahu), Hawaii) 1840-1841, 1841-12-04


broad foot paths, and some Of the princi-
pal ones were laid with large flat stones
over which we ratified in fine style. This
city is entirely Spanish, having been
founded since the conquest, and contains
some 10000 inhabitants. The buildings
are large and lofty, the Hotel where we
stopped being by far the handsomest and
most comfortable that have seen in Mex
leo, and in almost every aspect this beau
tiful city wears the appearance of being
the abode Of wealth and luxury. The in
terror of its cathedral is gorgeous beyond
description, and the value of the gold and
silver ornaments with the number of pre-
cious stones, is incredible.
We stopped for the night in Puebla and
early the next morning were again on the
road. This day we passed in safety dan
gerous pass, where frequent robberies have
been committed. We had an escort at
intervals during the day, and at dusk
reached the town of Perote, which pre-
sented a strong contrast to the one we had
left, being dirty and gloomy. This town
is noted as being the abode Of many of
the Ladrones Of the road, and it is said
that some of the highest authorities of the
place are in league with them. They keep
constant look our here for the stage,
having spies, who note the appearance of
travellers and their baggage, and report
accordingly, when if the booty promises
much, and the resistance little, they gen.
orally make an attack. We noticed sew
eral suspicious looking fellows in the court
yard of the coach house when we alight-
ed, who stood around with their Spanish
cloaks wrapped round their faces, as our
baggage was taken into our rooms. One
person, apparently a very we'll known and
respectable man, came up and began to
examine our arms apparently from mere
curiosity, of which we thought nothing at
the time.
We started from Perote at 4 o'clock,
making great display of our arms at the
windows of the coach for effect. Being
advised not to accept the escort which is
private one, that generally joins the
coaches from Perote, as it was limited that
they were not above honest, we declined
their services when they came up, much
to their discontinue, as they no doubt
expected high reward from their servi-
ces to the forcignc But we felt strong
enough, and did not like to employ a
guard who were suspected of being con-
federales of highwaymen.
We met with no adventures, and arri-
we'd at the pleasant little town of Jalapa
at noon. This is small town delight
fully situated on the side of mountain,
and is surrounded by other peaks, among
which towers the ma jestic summit of Oriz-
ava buried in snow. The air here is mild
and salubrious, with frequent showers, and
the climate is said to be one of the best
in the world. 1t is great resort for val
itudinarians and strangers in the sickly
season. Here we remained ortnight,
until the day before the packet was en-
pected to sail from Vera Cruz, and with
no books, and no means of amusement
the time dragged very heavily. On the
morning after our arrival, on the return OF
the stage from Perote, we learned that we
came very near meeting with an adven'
ture on the road from Perote. 1t seems
4 L. hat A<>,u