A MORNING RUN.
It was evening before the ride was concluded, and the party returned to the hacienda, where a dinner of substantial character awaited them. Of course Mr. Honradez insisted that there was "no money in the business," and said he would be glad to sell out for less than what his estate had cost him. But Fred made a mental note of the fact that he did not name any price at which he would sell, and that he lived in princely style both at the hacienda and in Merida. He had two sons at school in Paris, a daughter was being educated in Merida by a specially imported governess, and the gentleman himself spent a good half of his time in other countries. From these facts, and from information of various kinds that reached them, the youths concluded that the henequin culture was profitable; and in this view they have many supporters both in the country and out of it.
[CHAPTER XXXI.]
FIRST NIGHT IN THE HAMMOCKS.—INSPECTING A CENOTÉ.—UNDERGROUND WATERCOURSES AND LAKES.—HOW CENOTÉS ARE FORMED.—A SUBTERRANEAN BATH-HOUSE.—A NORIA.—WATER TAX ON A DIRECT SYSTEM.—NATIVE SUPERSTITIONS.—A LIZARD THAT SHAKES HIS TAIL OFF.—BITING A SHADOW, AND WHAT COMES OF IT.—JOURNEY TO THE RUINS OF UXMAL.—A HEETZMEK.—YUCATEO MODE OF CARRYING INFANTS.—BREAKFAST AT A HACIENDA.—GARDEN AT UAYALKÉ.—EATING TROPICAL LIZARDS.—FRED'S OPINION OF LIZARD STEWS.—BEES OF THE COUNTRY.—SUPERFLUOUS INDUSTRY OF YUCATEO BEES.—EVENING PRAYER AT A HACIENDA.—ARRIVAL AT UXMAL.
"Would you like to see a cenoté?" said Mr. Honradez, just before our friends retired for the night.
"Certainly," replied Doctor Bronson for himself and the youths, while the latter wondered what a cenoté was.