Note 6 — CHAP. II.

Such indeed is their excessive propensity to gambling, that they frequently carry cards in their pocket, and, when an opportunity occurs, form parties, and retire to a convenient place, where one of them spreads his poncho or mantle on the ground, in lieu of a table. When the loser has parted with his money, he will stake his clothes, so that the game generally continues until one of them goes away almost naked. This bad practice often leads to serious consequences. I once observed a party playing in the neighbourhood of a chapel after mass had been said, when the clergyman came and kicked away the cards in order to put an end to the game. On this, one of the Peons rose up, and retiring a few paces, thus accosted the intruder: “Father, I will obey you as a priest; but” (laying his hand on his knife) “you must beware how you molest our diversion.” The clergyman knew the desperate character of these men too well to remonstrate, and retired very hastily, not a little chagrined.