Sivem (his assistant) Mr. Sivem takes me at once on a tour of the surface part of the mines, which I can remember little of as I was too confused. For luncheon we go to the “The Lodge” (a small inn for the men and their friends) where I was to stay. This was a low two storied building on the outskirts of the town, adjoining the home of the general superintendent. It was a pleasant place set in a wide lawn - all manner of shrub and plants around the outside, all new to me – a yucca, or two, a few small palms, what looked like banana trees, a few evergreens and most lovely of all, a marigold like flower (which they called a Mexican daisy) it grew tall (8 ft or more) and was literally covered with flowers of a deep burnt orange color, rich and velvety, glowing with an intensity almost unbelievable.
     After my room had been assigned to me, (a large double room adjoining the porch) Mr. Sivem and I sat on the porch waiting for lunch to be served. Though it was warm, there was a pleasant breeze from the southeast. All buildings here are built on the bias so that the sides face NE, SE, S, W & NW. The prevailing winds are south east off the gulf and this gives them a maximum ventilation. Once a great swallowtail butterfly settled on the Mexican daisy outside - a mocking bird continually poured forth is tumultuous exotic song. He never tired and always seemed to me to be conscious of an audience. He was the first thing I heard in the morning, and sometimes even in the night he would give a few bars of his song.
     “Luncheon” consisted of an enormous steak (it was over an