s large and infantile,
with the Mongolian cast of countenance; its badly shaped and scrawny
arms were raised so as to bring the hands together on the chest; the
body was shapeless. This figure was clad in a suit of unbleached cotton,
much too long and slender for it, and the arms of the _camisa_, and the
legs of the _calzones_ hung limp. When we had duly admired this figure,
a second was produced--a pottery female-head, fairly shaped, with no
body to speak of; this had glass earrings fastened in the ears. Next, a
small headless figure was brought out; it was old, though probably made
after the Conquest, and we agreed that it represented a _padre_. Next
was a simple pottery head. Last was a figure, with small head and
pointed cap, made apparently of pottery; the body had been pieced out to
disproportionate length with wood, and ended in a pair of wooden feet;
this was dressed in black velvet, and wore a black hat. These, Diego
asserted, were all he had. After having expressed our delight with them,
and our regret that we had not known what we were to see, that we might
have brought with us some fine white _copal_ as incense for these gods,
we set them up in a straight line on the edge of the altar to make a
flashlight picture. As we left, we gave Diego two _reales_ to spend for
the benefit of his gods. After we left, we were assured that he had
finer ones of black stone, which he dresses in red, but we were content
with the ones we had seen. These figures are particularly used on
September 16th, San Miguel's day. They are also used at sowing-time, at
harvest, and at the first cutting of sugar-cane. On these occasions,
incense and candles are burned, the idols are taken in the hands, and to
the sound of music, worshippers move the figures, causing them to dance.
Pleased with this, they give good rains to the faithful worshippers.
When there is too much rain, they go in procession to the river, playing
music and dancing dolls; when arrived, they peg down many _ayates_ and
sacks, made for the purpose, into the water against the flow. These are
dams, to stay the flood. On the other hand, when there is drought, a
procession carries the idols to a cave, where a feast is given and a
dance, with wands of flowers carried in the hands, indulged in.

Though the price for animals from Huehuetla to Las Tortugas was
exorbitant, we had agreed to pay it--but told the man that, if he left
later than six, it should be cut two dollars. It w