inutes。 We fell into the trap； paid an expensive fare； and steamed off in that dreadful ship。 During the night we sighted the American liner with our wives on board； making straight for Frontera！ To municate with her was impossible； indeed； once he had us safe at sea the captain laughed at the idea。 On the following morning the ladies arrived at Frontera； where they expected to meet us； but were told by the consummate villain of an agent who had shipped us off in his own boat on the previous day； that no Englishmen answering to our description had been even heard of at Frontera。 So they were forced to proceed upon their journey in a state of some anxiety。
We also had anxieties； for the machinery of our tub broke down。 There for one whole night we rolled about off the coast of Mexico； sleeping； or rather sitting； on the coils of rope upon the deck and waiting for the promised “norther” which now showed every sign of arrival。 Fortunately； however； it did not develop until later； for； had it done so； our ship in its disabled condition would in all probability have gone to the bottom。 By the following morning the engines were more or less patched up； and we crept into Vera Cruz with no baggage except the travel…stained garments in which we stood and the sack of fern roots whereof I have spoken； for such spare clothes as we possessed had been left behind。
The end of it was that we journeyed back to the City of Mexico； a place that I had hoped never to see again； where we bought a few necessaries and took the train to New York。
After five days of arduous travel； during which I suffered much from headache； we reached that city to find that our womenkind had also arrived there safely。 Two or three things remain impressed upon my mind in connection with this