Ch. I. SOUTH AMERICA. 205 



We now began to descend with more ease towards the 

 province of Chimbo, though the road was not much 

 better than the former. Here we were met by the 

 corregidor of Guaranda or Chimbo, attended by the 

 provincial alcalde, and the most eminent persons of 

 the town. After compiimenting us la ihe moL-'' cor- 

 dial manner on our arrival, we proceeded together, 

 and within a league of the town were met by the 

 priest, a Dominican, accompanied by several of his 

 order, and a great number of the inhabitants, who 

 also left the town on the same friendly occasion ; and, 

 to heighten the ceremony, had brought with ihcin 

 a troop of cholos, or Indian boys. 



These cholos were dressed in blue, girded round 

 their waists with sashes, on their heads a kind of tur- 

 ban, and in their hands they carried flags. This little 

 corps was divided into two or three companies, and 

 went before us dancing, and singing some words in 

 (heir language, which, as we were told, expressed the 

 pleasure they received from the sight of such persons 

 arrived safe in their country. In this manner our ca- 

 valcade entered the town, on which all the bells in 

 the place were rung, and every house resounded with 

 the noise cf trumpets, tabors, and pipes. 



On expressing to the corregidor our surprise at this 

 reception, as a compliment far above our rank, he in- 

 formed us, that it was not at all singular, it being no 

 more than what was commonly practised when persons 

 of any appearance enter the town; and that there 

 was no small emulation between the several towns, in 

 paying these congratulations. 



After we had passed the mountains beyond Pa- 

 cara, the whole country, within the reach of the eye, 

 during a passage of two leagues, was a level and open 

 plain, without trees or mountains, covered with fields 

 of wheat, barley, maize, and other grain, whose ver- 

 dure, different from that of the mountain, naturally 

 gave us great pleasure , our sight for near a twelve- 

 month 



