The sea of cloud and cataract of mists must have been in full operation.

Where we were, a heavy wind was blowing and, before night, rain falling.

We had not thought of the possibility of heavy storms or damaged roads at this time of the year, but, before night came, the people of the village expressed surprise that we should talk of leaving the next morning.

They assured us that at Quezaltepec and Ixcuintepec it was surely raining heavily, and that the roads would be wet, slippery and impassable.

Long before we went to bed, a gale was blowing and we felt doubts regarding further progress.