married; but then I am considered to be an old bachelor by the ladies of Atazatlan. However, I have recently decided to choose a partner.”
The piece of intelligence concerning his age fairly astonished me, for I had previously considered him to be about fifty,—the same age as myself.
We at length stopped in front of a large, two-storey building, which, by the way, was high enough for a three storey, then passed through a well-kept flower-garden to the door, which was open. My friend now led the way through a large hall, then through another doorway, and I found myself in a splendidly furnished apartment, and in the presence of two young ladies, who smiled kindly as we entered. These, Banyaba informed me, were his sisters, and he mentioned my name to them. Then in a few words he explained how I came to be in Atazatlan. They appeared much interested, and said they would endeavour to make me happy. (I felt flattered at this.) However, there was no grasping of hands. Very soon after my arrival the meal was announced “ready,” and we sat down to it. There were many things on the table; some I had tried before at the “Llilimalia,” but others were new to me. However, not a great distance away was a vessel containing fish. This put me in mind of scha-
