Page:Narrative of an Official Visit to Guatemala.djvu/110

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OFFICIAL VISIT
[CH. VII.

moniously objected to my entrance in the morning, and when a battle had ensued between us which might have ended disastrously, had he not been called off by his master, who was now asleep: I could not, therefore, depend upon the mediation of that party, and as there was a mere cessation of hostilities between us, not even so favourable as that condition which is diplomatically termed, an armed neutrality, I did not care to disturb the watchful slumber which one of his eyes, that now glared upon me half open, seemed to evince he was enjoying. A cat was laid across his back, lulled in all the security of a minor state which has the countenance and support of a high protecting power. I turned away, listlessly, towards the middle of the road, where there was a small hut and manger, for the accommodation of travellers' mules. Ours had eaten all their corn, and their down-flopped ears and drooping heads made it evident that they were asleep. The luggage was strewed around, and, on lifting