432 A YEAR OF COSTA RICAN NATURAL HISTORY 



were nearly all dry by the next hour — but I would prefer not 

 to make that crossing again. 



From the valley of the Colorado we climbed up to a ridge 

 which separates that river from the Rio Blanco and runs in 

 a general northeasterly direction. At times the roadbed 

 was of the same character as in the streets of Liberia and 

 worn by the wheels of the ox-carts into two ruts often a foot 

 or more deep; or the whole roadbed was worn down the 

 width of an ox-cart two or three feet below the rock on 

 either side. The horse usually traveled in one of the wheel- 

 ruts so that when the roadside was so much higher it was 

 necessary to look out for one's leg to save it from being 

 rubbed or scraped on the rock. At other places the road was 

 a faint track over flat open ground covered with the pinkest 

 of dry grass or with sedge. Again it led through woods of 

 the small-leaved oak noted above, where projecting roots 

 and loose volcanic stones made it necessary for the horses 

 to pick their way carefully. Human habitations of any kind 

 were very few and far between after leaving the Carretera 

 Nacional. 



Hacienda Guachipelin was said to be four hours distant 

 from Liberia, but on these journeys I had to spur my horse 

 frequently and tiresomely to keep it to the jog that seemed 

 the usual pace here and which was, on this occasion, set by 

 our guide. Rarely did we make a journey within the pre- 

 announced time. No doubt the horses took advantage of 

 their stranger riders. I was therefore astonished when we 

 drew up at Hacienda Guachipelin at 6.35, four hours to the 

 minute from Liberia. I was glad that it was no later, for the 

 latter part of the way was through the woods and as it was 

 growing dark our horses were stumbling. We received a 

 hearty welcome from the mandador, Genaro Espinoso, who 

 was ever ready to do all he could for us during our stay. As 

 we came unexpected, we brought some food with us from 



