we prevailed upon the shepherds to let us have a sheep, which was very expeditiously disposed of by the hungry servants. The men would not take money for their charge, but required a written receipt, which we gave them, and they then left us to settle our account with the "Administrador" of Siērră Hĕrmōsă, who, as usual, refused to receive any thing. Don Rafael, and El Niño,[1] (by which name young Carrington was always designated amongst the Mexicans,) added a number of ducks, which they shot upon the reservoir, to our mutton broth; and as we had brought some bread with us from Catorce, we fared sumptuously, although disappointed in our hopes of getting any of the deer which the servants had seen in herds of fifty and sixty while in pursuit of the horses. I was prevented from attempting to lift a gun myself, not being able to raise my arm.
Dec. 6.—Finding it impossible to reach the Hacienda in one day, we proceeded to another Rancho, called Săn Ignācĭŏ, about nine leagues from the Bŏzăl. I was forced to perform this day's journey in the coach, being absolutely unable to mount my
- ↑ The "Nino," or the "Niña," are terms of endearment applied by old servants to the youngest member of a family; and Carrington being very young, and very much liked, was soon honoured with the appellation. Latterly they never called him any thing else, except on great occasions, when he was elevated to the dignity of el Secretario chico, (the little Secretary,) in order to distinguish him from the other gentlemen attached to the Mission, of superior standing to himself.
