he took
the interest in us which he evinced we could not tell. John and I
talked the matter over, and at length, recollecting that our father's
mother was of Indian descent, we came to the conclusion that besides
being a friend of our father, he was connected by the ties of blood with
our family. Still, from the way our friend spoke, there appeared to be
some mystery about him; but they did not offer to enlighten us, nor
could we with propriety ask them, he also was evidently not inclined to
be communicative about himself.

Next morning at daylight we went on board our boat. In the centre was
an awning, or _toldo_, which served as a cabin. The crew, consisting of
eight native Indians, urged her on with long broad-bladed oars when the
wind was contrary, while their chief or captain stood astern and steered
with another. When the wind was favourable a large sail was hoisted,
and we glided rapidly up the river. The banks are beautifully green,
and covered with an exuberant growth of many varieties of trees; indeed,
the plains on either side vie in richness of vegetation with any other
spot between the tropics. Several times we cut off bends of the river
by narrow canals, the branches of the trees, interwoven by numberless
creepers, which hung down in festoons covered with brilliant blossoms,
forming a dense canopy over our heads. Although the stream is sluggish,
we were unable to reach Bodegas that night. We stopped therefore at the
house of a gentleman engaged in the cultivation of cacao. The tree on
which it grows somewhat resembles a lilac in size and shape. The fruit
is yellowish-red, and oblong in shape, and the seeds are enveloped in a
mass of white pulp. It is from the seeds that chocolate is prepared.
The flowers and fruits grow directly out of the trunk and branches.
Cacao--or, as we call it, cocoa--was used by the Mexicans before the
arrival of the Spaniards. It was called by them _chocolatt_, from
whence we derive the name of the compound of which it is the chief
ingredient--chocolate. So highly was it esteemed, that Linnaeus thought
it worthy of the name of _theobroma_--"food for gods." The tree is
raised from seed, and seldom rises higher than from twenty to thirty
feet; the leaves are large, oblong, and pointed. It is an evergreen,
and bears fruits and blossoms all the year round. The fruits are
pointed oval pods, six inches long, and contain in five compartments
from twenty-five to thirty se