The southern portion of the state of Vera Cruz, bordering on
Tehuantepec, exhibits a singular hydrographic system. A number of great
rivers, as the _Rio Blanc_, the _Plaza Vicente_, the _Goazacoalcos_, and
the _Papatoapan_, with many of smaller note, form a complete network
over the country. Most of these rivers have their sources in the
_Sierra Madre_, and traversing the plains of the _tierra caliente_,
debouch into the Gulf of Mexico.
Every one has heard how profusely the rain falls in tropical countries
during that period of the year known as the "rainy season." It is the
American winter of these southern latitudes, commencing in the month of
June, and ending in October. At this time the waters of the rivers
above mentioned, augmented by torrents of rain falling daily, break over
the boundaries of their channels, and, free as the wild horses upon
their banks, rush impetuously over the surrounding plains.
Almost with the rapidity of a galloping steed, the yellow flood rolls
onward, as if impelled by the breath of a demon, carrying terror and
desolation in its track. Woe to the living thing unable to flee before
its watery phalanx!
The inundations proceeding simultaneously from the different streams
soon become joined to one another; and the waters, now spread over a
vast tract of country, flow in a more tranquil current. Thus united
together, they form an immense sea, covering the whole extent of the
savannas; upon the tranquil surface of which may be seen the _debris_ of
their destructive violence, with the carcasses of all sorts of animals.
In the country thus inundated a singular spectacle may at this time be
witnessed: villages completely surrounded by water, as if built upon
islands; trees with their trunks submerged, their leafy tops alone
visible; canoes and large _periaguas_, decked with flags and filled with
people in their holiday suits, trying to outdo each other in speed or
elegance of adornment; while groups of young girls, gaily dressed and
crowned with flowers, may be seen seated in the boats, singing to the
inspiriting accompaniment of the harp or mandolin.
The situation in which the hacienda of Las Palmas stood had been chosen
with a view to provide against these annual floods. It was upon the
north side of a plait apparently boundless towards the south, east, and
west. The house stood upon an eminence of no great elevation--a sort of
outlying spur of a higher ridge that backed it upon the north. It was
isolated, however, and at some distance from the ridge, whose direction
was eastward and westward. The hill upon which the hacienda stood was
one of those singular eminences known in Spanish-America by the name of
_mesa_ (table). Its flat top formed an oblong parallelogram, at one end
of which stood the dwelling-house, the other being occupied by the
storehouses and stables. These were upon an extensive scale, all
enclosed within a wall of strong mason-work. In the same enclosure were
rows of chambers for the lodgment of the _peons, vaqueros_, and other
retainers of the establishment.
The dwelling-house, standing upon the southern extremity of the _mesa_,
fronted towards the great plain. In its centre a massive double door
opened into the courtyard, or _patio_; and this entrance was reached by
a broad causeway, sloping upward with a gentle declivity from the plain,
and fenced along each edge by a parapet of strong mason-work. Thus
situated, the hacienda of Las Palmas--so named from the numerous topes
of palm-trees which mottled the plain in front--not only defied the
flood, but might have served as a fortress of no despicable strength.
The proprietor of this dwelling, as well as the extensive estate
surrounding it, was Don Mariano de Silva.
The bell of the hacienda had tolled the evening _oration_, and the
tinkling of the _angelus_ was sounding the summons to prayer. At that
moment might be witnessed an interesting spectacle upon the plain
adjoining the dwelling of Don Mariano de Silva. The Indian labourers,
who never work a moment beyond the prescribed time, at the first sound
of the bell had all suddenly stopped as if struck by paralysis. The
pickaxe raised aloft, the spade half buried in the earth, the goad
lifted to prick forward the ox, fell simultaneously from their hands;
while the oxen themselves, accustomed to imitate their drivers, came at
once to a stand, leaving the plough in the half-finished furrow. The
_vaqueros_ galloped straight to their stables and unsaddled their
horses; the peons came crowding in from the fields; and while the plain
was thus deserted the corral and outhouses became crowded.
In the midst of this crowd women were seen hurrying to and fro, carrying
hot plates of _comal, tortillas_, and _chile colorado_, destined for the
evening repast.
The sun was yet shining brightly, and his last rays darted their golden
light through the iron bars and green trelliswork of the windows of the
hacienda. One, however, that looked eastward was sheltered from his
beams; and a traveller coming in that direction might have observed that
the lattice blind was raised up, and the rich amber-coloured curtains
were visible behind it, although partially drawn. The window was at no
great height from the ground, in fact on the ground-floor itself; but
the house standing upon the pedestal of the _mesa_ was elevated several
feet above the level of the plain, and a horseman, however high his
horse, could not have looked into the chamber thus situated.
There was no traveller, however, in sight; no one except some belated
labourers, who, through the luminous haze of the setting sun, could be
seen making their way towards the hacienda.
Any one who could have looked into this chamber would have there beheld
a scene of more than ordinary interest. Though a mansion in the western
world, the style and furnishing of the apartment exhibited a certain
character of _orientalism_: for Mexico has long held traffic with the
countries of the far East.
At that moment the chamber contained something of more interest than
even its rich furniture. Three young girls graced it by their presence.
Two of them were evidently sisters--judging by the air of familiarity
that existed between them, rather than by any very marked personal
resemblance. They were the daughters of Don Mariano, the proprietor of
the mansion. The third was simply a servant--their waiting-maid.