Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1851-04-29
CHAPTER FIRST.

May yiolets sPringF HAMLET
CHAPTER FIRST.
We landed, my trayelling-comp pam
ion and |, at the dirty little port Of
Sisal, and after following half ndked
fellow driving two bulIocks attadhed
to truck -cart loaded with raw-hi ides
about half mile, at last found bur
selves in the AIeson de San Ignafio.
1t was dirty hovel, built Of the un-
burntrbridk or 1adobes' Of that CO un-
try, and used for every purpose per
tanning to the occupation of Snh hine
host in that halfcivilized land. 1t
had but o ne roc IN, long, narrow hnd
without light, except from the dPor,
and inone corner was built a little fire,
where a short fat woman in white
chemise and red flannel petticoat was
making tortillas, while we were sh$ $wn
to the other end and told to m hke
ourselves at home on a long be hch
covered With sheep skins. The Ma
iior-Domd' tumbled two of the aw-
hides doVn at our feet, and With
many 'car rrachos' tral lnped the win
kles out to make them N lay flat, And
then piled the rest Of them in the
middle of the room. Coffee, tortilla5
and dried mutton furnished our re-
past, and soon afterward we wrapped
our 'sera pes around us and bet$ok
ourselves to the sheep-skins, having
previously made arrangements for
seats in the 'diligencia' for Merida on
the folio wing day.
About day-break we we're rou FED
by a trem emendouS numbering at the
door, and after volley of qua dint
I.Spanish curses, addressed to several
mules, each of which he addres ked
by the name of some saint, a Ii tie
parchmqnt-faced fellow with jinglfng
spurs. a broad sombrero, thick blbn-
ket and heavy whip, made. his hp-
ppearance, calling for his breakfast.
BY this time O'Farrol, my c9m-
panion, was dressed and out to in
Spect our conveyance.
Como Sc llama esta, Senor?' he
asked Of the major-domo in Spalf fsh
which, as he said, was 'reaso sonaP Ple,
considering
La diHgencia, Senor,'' replied the
host, touching his sombrero.
/ is that the Spanish for 'cart2' s aid
Jerry, turning to me.
In this case, certainly repll ed.
Farther comments were prevent ted
by an imposing summons from bur
! host, and in ten minutes we had fis-
posed Of a reasonable quantity of The
goat $ flesh and tortillas, washed it
down With Some strong coffee, and re-
turned to the street, where by this
time we're assembled several Sen&rs,
with heir blankets covering half Il Reir
faces. d nd their sombreros the OF heI
half. gravely inspecting what Jd drry
irrevefently inslnuated should be
called a cart.
sTrqs realcs, senor,' said the ion
f to my question for his bill, and he
received the money with lofty low
which no doubt was meant oimpfes:
upon Us the height from which he
condescended to accommodate y ) a
all.
Il him the money.
!, sAnd dear enough too said Jd TRY
], Jumping into the cart, and nal fln4E
/, it groan piteously.
Istal Mulas! Santa Maria! Shnt'
+, Catharinaloanta Ursula!' etc, scrfa
ed the little courier; the crowd Q
Seniors gravely raised their hats tn
major-domo bowed like a hlcfigo III
and we we're off, / looked back AM
!, saw the crowd close eagerly ar9un'
! .mine host to- inquire about th
strangers; and the noble keeper q
, the .AIenson' drew himself PROUD.
up to give an account Of his illus
tr;o,,s g @@iiests.' A turn in the roa
: hid them from view, and we wer
/, trotting merrily upon the roap I I
! Merida. ;.
Our journey to the capitol a. aif9 9rde
: no incident worthy OF narrahonf uf
j less indeed two 'break-downs1 an
Antonip p's dextcrity in patching y
i be deolh ned so, and about hall 9
l,,, ad or S,1n,at wa drove lHtO tn