At three o’clock, on the following morning, our feet were in the stirrups; and bidding a kind adieu to our host, we were soon upon our rocky path, under the light of a waning moon. It must not be supposed that either the excellence of the road, or the particularly early hour, held out many inducements for leaving such desirable quarters; but I was anxious to reach Merida with the least possible delay. The distance was six leagues to the city, which we reached, after passing through several haciendas, encountering clouds of dust under a scorching sun, on the 6th day of March. The appearance of the streets, as we rode through them, was singular. The stores and houses were closed, and scarcely a person was to be seen. It was evidently the much respected hour of siesta. Clouds of the fine white dust of the streets filled the air. It was like entering a city in the desert of Barca. I stopped at the “Hotel des Diligences,” which had been opened during my absence; and though I could not but feel some compunctions at having thus deserted the amiable Doña Michaelé, yet as she only kept her house purely for the accommodation of strangers, I felt my defection to be less serious. The new hotel was liberally supplied with all the natural advantages that are necessary to make its inmates comfortable. It was, in fact, _un hotel Français_, and reminded me strongly of those to be met with upon the borders of Switzerland, which, I am right glad to see, are finding their way into this province. Perhaps there is no part of the world where the traveller is more at a loss for accommodations upon the road, than in Yucatan. The jaded horses being provided for, I, as is my wont, soon made myself perfectly at home, and as happy as I could. I was not a little rejoiced to find that the hotel was provided with a bathing-room, a luxury of which I was not long in availing myself. I came out completely renovated, and with all convenient speed swung myself into a hammock and forgetfulness.