The Indians are very clannish, and, although my damaged prestige was now almost restored, and, no doubt, favourable rumours heralded me wherever I went, still the good-will of each district had in a way to be won.

Many months later, when I found myself among the pagans farther south, I was interpellated quite persistently on the subject of the skulls in Yoquibo.

They wanted to know why I had dug them up.

My Mexican interpreter, whom they took to task on the subject, advanced an explanation, which was no doubt strictly in accordance with his best knowledge and belief.

He declared that my object had been to find out whether those people had been properly baptised--a reason which apparently perfectly satisfied the Indians.
I travelled in a southeasterly direction, making my way back to Guachochic, over the highlands of Humarisa (humashi = to run).