Theodore Winthrop

“ We had galloped all hour without overtaking the Padre, when, distant as far as the eye could reach on the plain, we saw what seemed a moving mushroom; it was perfectly black and most impish in its appearance. This black pent-house was supported by a slender light-colored stalk endowed with powers of rapid locomotion, for it succeeded in keeping pace with a figure which we should have thought a man on horseback had it not been provided with a pair of wings flapping freely on the air. ”

“ Things are managed with such perfect calmness of manner by the people of the country, that an American supposes nothing is doing; but in a surprisingly short time we were inducted into one of the best houses in the town, which, by good luck, happened to be vacant, a cook hired, our hammocks slung, and everything made comfortable for a sojourn. We dined with the Padre, and then walked with him about the place, enviously standing by while he was tenderly embraced by all the pretty girls in the village. ”

“ Great shouting there was for candela, and many witching exhibitions of horsemanship on the part of José del Carmen. Some Señoritas joined us, and only heightened the life of the scene. There was a full abandon of gayety, inconceivable to the grave Yankee. We approached nearer the main chain of mountains, and, ascending a low plateau, rode in a body trampling up the main street of Penonomé, and dismounted at the church in the Plaza. ”