Page:Narrative of an Official Visit to Guatemala.djvu/380

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OFFICIAL VISIT
[CH. XXV.

tage with the usual viranda in front, where the baggage had been deposited. After supper, which had been preparing before my arrival, I felt vertigo and head-ache, but soon fell into a sound sleep.

The next day, although my spirit seldom failed me on ordinary occasions, I found myself too ill to proceed, and by the advice of Don Francisco, and my young attaché, I resolved to delay my departure till the evening. I never shall forget the kind attention of the Creole woman of this little establishment: she killed one of her finest fowls and stewed it into broth for my nourishment, made panada or gruel of various sorts, gave me her best bed, and turned out all her numerous little children into the village that they might not disturb my repose. This, with great abstinence, allayed the fever which was beginning to attack me, and at two o'clock, having sent the baggage on two hours sooner, under the superintendence of Don Francisco, Don Eugenio and myself proceeded, at a slow pace, to pursue our journey.