Then followed a story about another variety of snake that kills a bird on its nest and then proceeds to coil affectionately about the eggs and hatch them out. When the young birds appear he cares for them tenderly, bringing them food in the daytime, and at night nestling over them to protect their unfeathered bodies from the cold and dampness.
"And I suppose," said Frank, "that when he has reared them to a suitable size he proceeds to eat them up."
As to that the stranger could give no information, and accordingly the youth concluded that the narrative was not based upon personal observation.
From Campeachy the steamer held her course to Progreso, the principal port of Yucatan. That honor formerly belonged to Sisal, but the advantages of Progreso caused it to be preferred, and now it is the seat of commerce. Not that the harbor amounts to much, as the shallow coast prevents vessels of more than a few feet draught from coming anywhere near it. The passengers were landed in a large row-boat that danced very uneasily upon the waves and disturbed the digestion of some who thus far had borne the movements of the sea without objection. It was a long pull to the shore, but they reached it in safety and resigned themselves to the custom-house officials who were waiting at the landing-place.
The inspection was not very rigorous, as the passengers were from another Mexican port and not from foreign lands; in fact it was nothing more than a form, and was quickly over. Then the strangers had a half-hour in which to inspect the town of Progreso; they inspected it and had fifteen minutes to spare. The place is simply a shipping-point, and nobody lives there except those whose business connects them with marine matters. It is surrounded by swamps and is damp and unhealthy. It was desirable to get away from it as soon as possible, as it seemed an excellent spot for incorporating fever-germs into the system. The population is less than 2000, not including the tenants of the cemetery, which is said to be liberally patronized.
TROPICAL RAILWAY TRAIN AND STATION.