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Show 258 FORTY YEARS AMONG THE INDIANS. clear we walked straight way to our quarters, where I translated all that had been said. It was taken down at the time and to the best of my memory was about as here given. We could not help but be amused at the old fellow's vehemence, and our first introduction to Mexico. For some days after this when women in the streets would see any of us coming, they would jump into the first door and close it and then look out through what all Mexican houses have in their doors a peep hole. Some of the women who ran from us were of the class that do not often scare at a man, yet they acted as though they dreaded us. We managed to pass quietly along never seeming to notice these actions, but often had a hearty laugh when we got to our quarters. On enquiry we learned that the laws of Mexico, under the new constitution, required all religious services to be performed in a structure recognized as a church building. One liberal- minded gentleman, Esperidion Sanches, gave us much information. He said the law simply re-quired the presiding officer of a town to recognize a house for the occasion, and put the police to protect it ; but if the civil authority was under the influence of the priests, they could baffle us and forbid us preaching in any house except a regular church edifice, erected solely for religious worship. Sanches told me the Jefe Politico of Paso del Norte, was an affable gentleman but a strong Catholic, and he doubted if we would be able to get the privilege of hold-ing meetings. When we called upon the gentleman he told us that he understood the law forbade any |