Ch. II. SOUTH AMERICA. 2T 



a league beyond the river Passamayo, which we 

 forded, arrived at the tambo of the same name, si- 

 tuated at the foot of a mountain of sand, exceed- 

 ing- troublesome, both on account of its length, 

 steepness, and difficulty in walking ; so that it is ge- 

 nerally passed in tlie night, the soil not being then so 

 fatiguing. 



From thence on the IStli we reached Tambo dc 

 Ynca, and after travelling 12 leagues from the town 

 of Chancay, we had at length the pleasure of entering 

 the city of Lima. 



From the distances carefully set dovv^n during the 

 whole course of the journey, it appears thai from 

 Tumbez to Piura is G2 leagues, from Piura to 

 Truxillo 89, and from Truxillo to Lima 113; in 

 all 264 leagues. The greatest part of this long jour- 

 ney is generally performed by night; for the whole 

 country being one contiinied sand, the reflection of 

 the sun's rays is so violent, that the mules would be 

 .overcome by the heat; besides the want of water, 

 herbage, and the like. Accordingly the road all 

 along, is rather uistinguighcd by the bones of the 

 mules which have sunk under their burdens, than 

 by any track or path. For notwithstanding they arc 

 continually passing and rc-passiug throughout the 

 whole y^ar, the winds quickly eftace all the prints of 

 their ieet This country is al^o so bare, that when 

 a small herb or spring liappens to be discovered, it 

 is a sure sign of being in the neighbourhood of houses. 

 For these stand near rivers, the moisture of which 

 fertilizes these arid wastes, so that they produce that 

 verdure not to be seen in the uninhabited parts : as 

 they arc such merely iVoiu their being destitute of 

 water ; without which no creature can subsist, nor 

 any lands be improved. 



In the towns we met with plenty of all necessary 

 provisions; as iiesh, fowl, bread, fruits, and wine; 

 i^ll extremely good, and at a reasonable price; but 



thp 



