The riders
were light-built men; had handkerchiefs tied round their heads; and
were barearmed and bare-legged. The horses were noble-looking
beasts, not so sleek and combed as our Boston stable-horses, but
with fine limbs, and spirited eyes. After this had been settled, and
fully talked over, the crowd scattered again and flocked back to the
town.
Returning to the large pulperia, we found the violin and guitar
screaming and twanging away under the piazza, where they had been
all day. As it was now sundown, there began to be some dancing. The
Italian sailors danced, and one of our crew exhibited himself in a
sort of West India shuffle, much to the amusement of the bystanders,
who cried out, "Bravo!" "Otra vez!" and "Vivan los marineros!" but the
dancing did not become general, as the women and the "gente de
razon" had not yet made their appearance. We wished very much to
stay and see the style of dancing; but, although we had had our own
way during the day, yet we were, after all, but 'foremast Jacks; and
having been ordered to be on the beach by sundown, did not venture
to be more than an hour behind the time; so we took our way down.
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