In a morning of the month of October, a solitary traveller was pursuing
his route across the vast plains which extend from the limits of the
state of Vera Cruz through that of Oajaca. It is scarcely necessary to
say that the traveller was on horseback--in a country where no one ever
thinks of journeying on foot. He was armed also, as well as mounted;
but both horse and weapon were of such an indifferent character as to be
ill suited for an encounter with an enemy of any kind. This, too, in a
country just then in a state of revolution, where the traveller might
expect to meet with an enemy at any moment--either a political
adversary, or one of those professional bandits with whom Mexico at this
time abounded, and who robbed all alike, irrespective of party.
The only weapon our traveller possessed was an old curved sabre; but it
was doubtful whether it could be drawn from its iron scabbard, which
appeared as rusty as if it had lain for years at the bottom of a river.
It was carried obliquely along the flap of the saddle, and under the
thigh of the horseman--the common mode in Mexico--thus transferring the
weight of the weapon from the hip of the rider to the ribs of his horse.
The steed of our traveller showed evident signs of having been at one
time the property of some _picador de toros_: as was manifested by the
numerous scars that traversed his flanks and counter; but whatever good
qualities he may have once possessed, he was evidently now one of the
sorriest of jades--worth no more than the value of his own skin.
Notwithstanding the repeated strokes of the spur, which his rider
administered without stint, it was impossible to force him into anything
more rapid than a shambling walk, and at this slow pace was he
proceeding, evidently to the great chagrin of the impatient traveller.
The costume of the horseman thus ill mounted consisted of a sort of
jacket of white cotton stuff, with open _calzoneros_ of olive-coloured
velveteen. On his feet were short boots of goat-skin--dressed in
imitation of cordovar leather--and covering his head was a broad-brimmed
hat of common palmetto plait. Though not positively shabby, his
garments had the appearance of having been a long time in wear, out of
regard to economy. There was something, however, in their cut and
texture that bespoke the wearer to belong to a class above that of the
mere peasant.
He was a young man--apparently two or three and twenty--of slender
figure and rather thin in flesh. His countenance bespoke gentleness of
disposition, amounting almost to simplicity; and this would have been
the impression produced upon an observer, but for a pair of lively
spiritual eyes that sparkled in sockets somewhat sunken. These,
combined with a well-formed mouth, and lips of a sarcastic cut, relieved
the otherwise too ingenuous expression of his features, and proved that
the young man was capable, when occasion required, of exhibiting a
considerable power of repartee and acute observation. Just then the
predominant expression upon his features was that of chagrin, mixed with
a certain degree of uneasiness.
The scenes through which he was passing were of a character to cause
apprehension--especially to one journeying alone. On all sides extended
a vast plain of sterile soil--the brown earth but thinly covered with a
growth of cactus and wild aloes, under the shadow of which appeared a
sparse herbage, wild, and of yellowish hue. The aspect was monotonous
and dreary beyond expression; while here and there vast clouds of dust
rose in whirlwinds, and moved like spectres over the plain. The
straggling huts encountered at long intervals on the way were all
empty--apparently abandoned by their owners! This strange circumstance
combined with the heat of a tropic sun, the absence of all signs of
water, the profound silence that reigned over these solitary steppes,
had created a sense of discouragement in the mind of the young
traveller, amounting almost to fear.
Notwithstanding a liberal use of the spur, his horse could not be
induced to depart from a walk. If by a desperate effort he was once or
twice forced into a trot it was only to return again to his old gait as
soon as the spur was taken from his flanks. The painful exertions of
the rider had no other result than to cause the perspiration to flow
profusely over his face, rendering it necessary for him every now and
then to make use of his pocket-kerchief.
"_Maldito cavallo_!" (Good-for-nothing beast!) he exclaimed at
intervals as his patience became exhausted; but the horse, fatigued with
a long journey, was as insensible to the insults of his rider's speech
as he had been to the strokes of his spur, and moved not a whit the
faster.
Wearied with these idle efforts to increase the speed of the animal, the
young traveller turned in his saddle and looked back. His object was to
compare the route he had come with that which lay before him--in order
to form some calculation as to the distance yet to be travelled before
he could reach the other side of the desert plain.
The observation did not appear to gratify him. On the contrary, his
countenance became clouded with a still deeper shade of chagrin; and,
abandoning himself to a complete despair, he made no further attempt to
urge forward his unwilling roadster, but left the sorry brute to his
creeping pace.
For several hours the traveller kept on his slow course--his spirit
alternately exasperated and depressed.
Mid-day had arrived, and the tropic sun, glaring down vertically from a
cloudless sky, was causing a degree of heat almost intolerable. The
breeze had ceased to cool the atmosphere; and even the dry leaves of the
trees hung motionless from the boughs. At every moment the horse,
crawling painfully forward, threatened to become motionless as they.
Suffering from thirst, and wearied with the journey he had already made,
the young traveller at length dismounted, and threw his bridle-rein over
the neck of his horse. He had no fear that the animal would take
advantage of the freedom thus given him. There was not the slightest
danger of its running away.
Leaving the steed to himself, therefore, the rider walked towards a
clump of _nopals_--in hopes of finding some fruit upon them, by which he
might relieve his thirst.
As good luck would have it, he was not deceived in his expectation. The
_nopals_ were in fruit; and having plucked a number of these "Indian
figs," and stripped them of their spinous skins, he was enabled, by
swallowing a quantity of the sweetish pulp, to allay in some measure the
excessive thirst that had been hitherto torturing him. Thus satisfied,
he once more mounted into his saddle, and continued his interrupted
journey.