by which we had been surprised on our way from the Jărāl. By leaving Mexico so late in the season, we hoped entirely to escape the rains, but as we drew towards the North we found evident symptoms of their prevalence. At San Luis they assured us that they had hardly seen the sun for forty days, and the swampy state of the country around demonstrated the correctness of the assertion. It is impossible to conceive any thing more trying than the discomfort of a Mexican inn under such circumstances. Without a fire, and often without a roof that will exclude water, there is no possibility of drying the baggage, clothes, or saddles. The poor horses stand shivering, after a hard day's journey, in an open patio, while the paved court, from the violence with which the rain descends, is converted into a pond, through which you have to wade in order to pass from one room to another.
All these delights did we experience on the evening of our arrival, and it was with most sincere pleasure that we found ourselves restored, on the following morning, to the advantages of a bright sun and a cloudless sky, which accompanied us afterwards during the remainder of our journey The yard was filled in an instant with bedding, cloaks, mangas, and hats, suspended upon lines, and in a few hours comfort was, to a certain extent, restored. Unfortunately the sun had not the power to heal the injury done by the cold to our mules and horses, four of which were rendered useless for several days
