The first, second, and third missed it by only a fraction of an inch. The fourth tumbled it over but did not catch it. It was set up again for the fifth, who missed, and saw the coin taken in by the sixth and last as he rode past at a gallop.
Their host pressed the youths to remain longer, but they felt that they might interfere with Doctor Bronson's plans by so doing, and therefore declined the invitation. They returned to the capital without any other break in their journey, and were warmly congratulated by the Doctor on the good use they had made of their time.
DRIVING A HERD.
[CHAPTER XXIII.]
INTERVIEW WITH PRESIDENT DIAZ; HIS PERSONAL APPEARANCE AND HISTORY.—A CHECKERED CAREER.—SAVED FROM THE SEA.—THE FAITHFUL PURSER AND HIS REWARD.—CHARACTERISTICS OF DIAZ'S ADMINISTRATION.—MADAME DIAZ.—A DIPLOMATIC MARRIAGE.—THE ARMY AND NAVY OF MEXICO.—THE POSTAL SERVICE.—NEWSPAPERS AND OTHER PUBLICATIONS.—PRINCIPAL WRITERS OF FICTION.—FROM MEXICO TO PUEBLA.—HOW THE MEXICAN RAILWAY WAS BUILT.—DIFFICULTIES OF ENGINEERING.—APIZACO.—THE CITY OF THE ANGELS; ITS CATHEDRAL AND OTHER CURIOSITIES.—MANUFACTURES OF PUEBLA.—BATTLE-FIELD OF CINCO DE MAYO.
It was a fortunate thing for the youths that they did not remain another day at the cattle-hacienda of Señor Sanchez. After listening to a short account of what they had seen, Doctor Bronson told them that he had a pleasurable surprise in store for the next day.