252 IMPROMPTU. 



trout, which had been soused in oil, and although highly flavoured 

 we made a good repast. I enquired if the stream produced any other 

 fish. The posador replied only two sorts, "trucias y ranas," trout 

 and frogs. We were told these forests and sierras were the habitation 

 of bears, wolfs, izzards, wild-cats, &c. ; and every other game of the 

 feathered tribe which the eagle and vulture foretold by their haunting 

 these wilds. 



My road lay through the gorge half-a-mile from the venta leading 

 into the forest, and it was with great regret I took leave of my com- 

 panions. Uselessly we endeavoured to persuade our conductor to 

 permit them to extend their journey, and we parted. 



I took the " mule track'' towards the dark forest, accompanied by my 

 servant and one guide by the side of the stream, confined by lofty per- 

 pendicular rocks, enriched with various shrubs and plants by an ir- 

 regular line through which the current had forced a passage, on a ravine 

 of a more distant era, had made way for those mountain torrents. I 

 then entered the gorge and could not help following its circuitous 

 direction. Often the road was diverted by large masses of stones that 

 had been washed down the forest slopes and ravines till they were 

 arrested by the river. Here and there we caught a glimpse of a moun- 

 tain which winter snows had separated, and the avalanche had swept 

 away the pine-trees in its course to the bed of the stream. 



Cascade followed on cascade, and vented their waters near a thousand 

 feet into a bason which led to the turbulent river beneath ; cataract 

 succeeded cataract occasioned by the storms and tempests in this region 

 whose effects block up the blue waters with the hideous stones which 

 obstruct their course. After travelling this singular road for some miles, 

 climbing and scrambling to find a track or road, we mounted to an 

 elevation of 1000 or 1200 feet, hanging over a fearful precipice 

 guarded by a low wall, over which were the remains of a small round 

 town, sufficiently large for a sentry, and beneath was the river; this 

 was used in 1823 as an out-post by the French. I could not avoid 

 remaining here some minutes, gazing on one of the most sublime 

 and beautiful features in romantic scenery.] 



The gorge now terminated and expanded into two arms, one still 

 leading to deep recesses, stretching forward towards the mountains to 

 the north, the other advancing to the road I was about to go, embrac- 

 ing in its prospect enclosures of vineyards and meadow-land, which 

 announced I had nearly completed my day's journey and had crossed 

 the Pyrenees. 



P. B. 



IMPROMPTU. 

 On seeing a beautiful French Girl whose Mother was English, 



No wonder that her cheeks disclose, 

 A blush so crimson and a skin so fair, 



England has lent her loveliest rose. 

 To blend with France's lilies there. 



