Pictures of life in Mexico/Volume 2/Chapter 29
CHAPTER XXIX.
A PLANTATION ANECDOTE.
Although tobacco is not cultivated to a great extent in Mexico flourishing plantations may be occasionally found especially on the tablelands of Anahuac; and were due attention but given to the subject its growth and exportation might prove a considerable source of wealth to this republic in its difficulties.
A tobacco plantation is frequently a hot and busy scene. Dark men almost entirely divested of clothing may be seen stooping over the dreary-looking' plants; clearing away any dust or damaged leaves that may have gathered about them, watering them in the most careful manner and tending them in many particulars almost as if they were children.
A tobacco factory however, is a still busier and more interesting sight. The plants are gathered and stowed into hogsheads; layers of leaves and often even single leaves, are separated from each other; then they are re-arranged into fresh layers and sorted according to their qualities; next sprinkled with the juice of liquorice; and pressed and arranged over and over again until they are judged ready for shipment and sale.
Two planters to the west of Vera Cruz had sedulously conducted their estates and business transactions in the spirit of the most violent opposition for a long period. The rules of their establishments, the growth and treatment of tobacco, the prices of their cargoes, the choice of markets, and tricks of competition and sale, had each afforded sufficient grounds for continued variance and bitterness. If one of them discovered a new and profitable market, the other was sure to make a rush in the direction with reduced prices. Had the former contrived some new arrangement, either in producing or bargaining, the other was certain to puff off his own commodities by its aid. In fact, their spirit of rivalry had for years been so strong, that the interests of both parties had suffered in a great degree in consequence.
The animosity of the owners had extended as is generally the case to the servants and labourers employed on the plantations. Demonstrations of defiance and opposition had been often exchanged between the hostile parties: many were the petty annoyances to which each band had subjected the other; and many a hand-to-hand fight and general skirmish had taken place in assertion of stated rights and defence of doubtful privileges.
On one particular occasion the Indians employed upon the plantation called "Naqua" perceived on entering a field after sunrise that a number of the finest tobacco plants had been cut down in the night and their leaves which were fast approaching maturity, recklessly cast to the four winds. Several vats and vessels containing water had also been broken, and their contents wasted, so that the remaining shrubs would sustain injury from lack of moisture. Three of the sheds, used for drying and sorting tobacco, had been sadly abused and dilapidated; and to crown the whole, the watery contents of a couple of large cisterns had been set afloat, to saturate a quantity of the best hogsheads lying in the storeroom.
It was at once evident that these things could only have been effected by their enemies of the rival plantation. All thoughts of labour therefore were set aside for the day; and a council of war was immediately held, to judge of the steps to be taken under such provoking circumstances. Messages were despatched to acquaint the owner—who resided at a little distance—with the facts of the case. A few of the overseers, and the cooler portion of the labourers, were for awaiting his arrival and decision; but a body of the more impetuous marshalled themselves in array, and hurried off in great force to revenge their insults on the opposite estate, and its labourers, without delay.
They approached the place in silence, but, as they came within sight of the main allotment, they observed a small body of guardians stationed beside it, as if expecting them. The sight raised their indignation; and they at once vented their outraged feelings in an unanimous whoop of defiance, which was responded to in a similar manner by their enemies on the watch. The besiegers rushed fiercely upon them, and after a brief but brisk engagement carried all before them—the numbers of the defending party being totally inadequate to offer an effectual resistance. Elated with their victory and stung by remembrance of the ruin they had beheld on their own plantation they proceeded to take summary vengeance by ransacking and destroying everything upon which they could possibly lay their hands. They trampled down whole beds of flourishing plants and cut up many others root and branch; overturned great piles of leaves which were arranged on shelves and tables to dry and immersed them in a narrow stream of water flowing through the estate. They forced open hogsheads of tobacco ready for shipment tearing the wooden staves and bands apart, and scattering their contents on the earth on every side; unroofed and pulled down a number of slightly-built sheds and store-rooms; and destroyed or appropriated every needful utensil which they were able to discover on the premises. In a word, so complete was the ruin, that within half an hour after the first appearance of the Naquaians, little remained to indicate the uses of the place; and little probability existed of its ever again being brought into effective operation as a tobacco plantation.
During the interval however, the besieged party had been running hither and thither to collect their scattered forces; and now with the owner of the estate as their leader they advanced with bitter animosity and fierce impatience against the invaders. A second and a longer continued engagement was the result. The former had armed themselves with hoes and poles and rakes while a few had produced knives and old muskets; their opponents being provided with similar weapons from the first. They fell upon each other headlong; poles, and hoes, and bludgeons flew into the air, and alighted on the heads and shoulders of enraged combatants; and broken heads, loud execrations, bleeding limbs, and impatient groans became the order of the day. Several worthy belligerents lay upon the ground, wounded and overpowered; and much serious mischief would, doubtless, have been done, only that the muskets were all but useless; and the arms that wielded the bludgeons—belonging to Mexican Indians and half-castes—were none of the strongest.
While the affray was yet at its height, a horseman rode hastily in the direction of the contending parties. It was the proprietor of the Naqua plantation; and his appearance seemed to infuse new vigour into the ranks of his devoted labourers. He made his way immediately to the leader of the opposite party; and calling upon both classes of combatants to desist he demanded a parley for mutual satisfaction.
For a short time the rival planters entered into conversation for the ostensible purpose of bringing matters to an amicable conclusion. Both gentlemen however, were too inflammable and exasperated to listen either to reason or argument; and, as neither would yield in the least to the other, nothing came of the consultation, beyond a number of alleged grievances, and a volley of the most abusive epithets.
"If I am a thieving lépero," exclaimed the first, "thou art a blood-sucking-zopilote—always buzzing-over the concerns of thy neighbour, to prey on his destruction."
"Dog-of a tobacco swindler, I defy thee!" was the prompt reply.
"Wretch of an alacran, I fear not thy sting"!" exclaimed the other. "Thou art a malignant demon unfit to be turned loose!" vociferated the Naquaian.
"Thou art a wicked fiend, fresh from purgatory!" was the rejoinder of his adversary.
As may be readily conjectured such pleasant observations could only be introductory to blows—and blows and thrusts soon came of them accordingly. They were both armed with knives; and in a few minutes, the Naquaian contrived to plunge his weapon with such effect into the right arm of the other, that he was unable to continue the engagement upon any terms. The labourers belonging to the assailed plantation, seeing their leader defeated and wounded, beat a speedy retreat, bearing his bleeding person in the midst, and leaving the elated Naquaians undisputed masters of the field.
So effectually was the aggressive plantation maltreated and destroyed by its incensed visitors, that it subsequently became worthless; and its owner disposed of it for a trifling sum, soon after recovering from his wound. And to this day the Naqua tobacco-estate remains without a rival in its immediate vicinity.