n explained to Lee what was wanted.

The old woman soon had the large, square basket packed and covered with
a clean checked cloth, and then said:

"Here, Diego, take these coppers for the ferry-boat, and here are the
lists and the bills. You will get the money and bring it back to me."

The boys set off at once, crossing the bay to the city in the balmy
clear, tropical morning, so charming before the sun gains its full
power, and having a long trudge before they came to their destination.

In this neighborhood Lee saw a very different state of things from that
at Regla. They passed a great square, planted with palms and flowering
plants, such as he had only seen in pictures heretofore. Then there were
long ranges of public buildings and grand houses, with sentry-boxes in
front of them, and sentinels pacing to and fro.

They also met frequently battalions and companies of troops, going to
relieve guard or returning from early parade, stepping out briskly over
the clean-swept pavements to lively airs played by the bands.
Everything, at that hour, was life and bustle, for most of the business
of the day is done in the early morning, that people may have time to
take the "siesta" during the hot hours.

All these strange sights seemed to divert Lee's thoughts from the heavy
basket which they were carrying, and he was still staring about when
Diego stopped before a large, low, two-storied building, with a great
arched entrance into a court-yard, around the four sides of which the
building extended. Above the arch hung a sign, with "Hotel de los
Estados Unidos," painted upon it.

"Well, I know what _that_ sign means," said Lee; "and it's the first one
I've seen which I _did_ understand."

"Yes, here we are at last," replied Diego.

And they turned in and came out in the large court-yard, which presented
quite an animated appearance.

A fountain was playing in the middle, surrounded by orange trees,
bananas and flowering plants, in great green tubs. All around, the doors
of sleeping rooms opened upon the court, while above, another set of
doors opened upon a balcony, which was reached by steps below.

On the pavement of stone were many little tables, at which gentlemen and
ladies were taking breakfast, and waiters in white jackets were bustling
about and supplying their wants.

On the left, as the boys entered, was an office, with a half door and a
shelf upon it, from which a clerk hailed them:

"_Hi, muchachos,