CHAPTER IV. 



VALLEYS OF AKAGUA AND VALENCIA. 



Departure from Caracas. — Scenery of tlie Eio Guaira. — Beautiful View 

 from Mount Higuerote. — The " Garden of Venezuela." — Victoria. — 

 Spanish Extortion. — A Word on Mules. — Venezuelian Coaches. — Mara- 

 cai. — Castilian Etiquette. — East in a Stream. — Entrance into Valen- 

 cia. — The City. — Lake Tacarigua. 



After two weeks sj^ent in the beautiful valley of Ca- 

 racas, we left the capital for Valencia, the second city of 

 Venezuela, situated a hundred miles to the westward, upon 

 the shores of the picturesque lake whose name it bears. 

 Unfortunately, we were in the midst of the rainy season, 

 and the roads were now impassable by the stages which 

 run between the two cities. Moreover, the country Avas 

 sufferino: from one of its chronic revolutions, and rovine: 

 bands of outlaws interrupted communication, respecting 

 the persons or property of neither friend nor foe. How- 

 ever, we determined to undertake tlie journey, arming 

 ourselves well, in case of emergency. In lieu of stage- 

 conveyance, we contracted for mules to Victoria, a town 

 midway between Caracas and Valencia, paying ten pesos * 

 for each, just one-tenth the value of the beast, and an equal 

 amount for a muchacho, or muleteer, which proved near 

 his whole valuation. 



* The peso is the Spanish dollar, whose value is eighty cents. 



