CHAP. XIII. PROCEEDS TO COLOMBIA. 243 



engagement to young Stephenson, to go out to Mariquita 

 and take charge of the engineering operations of that 

 company. Robert was himself desirous of accepting it, 

 but his father said it would first be necessary to ascertain 

 whether the proposed change would be for his good. 

 His health had been very delicate for some time, partly 

 occasioned by his rapid growth, but principally because 

 of his close application to work and study. Father and 

 son proceeded together to call upon Dr. Headlam, the 

 eminent physician of Newcastle, to consult him on the 

 subject. During the examination which ensued, Robert 

 afterwards used to say that he felt as if he were upon 

 trial for life or death. To his great relief, the doctor pro- 

 nounced that a temporary residence in a warm climate 

 was the very thing likely to be most beneficial to him. 

 The appointment was accordingly accepted, and, before ] 

 many weeks had passed, Robert Stephenson set sail for j 

 South America. 



After a tolerably prosperous voyage he landed at La 

 Guayra, on the north coast of Venezuela, on the 23rd 

 of July, from thence proceeding to Caraccas, the capital 

 of the district, about fifteen miles inland. There he re- 

 mained for two months, unable to proceed in consequence 

 of the wretched state of the roads in the interior. 

 He contrived, however, to make occasional excursions 

 in the neighbourhood, with an eye to the mining busi- 

 ness on which he had come. About the beginning of 

 October he set out for Bogota, the capital of Colombia 

 or New Granada. The distance was about twelve hun- 

 dred miles, through a very difficult region, and it was 

 performed entirely upon mule-back after the fashion of 

 the country. 



In the course of the journey Robert visited many of 

 the districts reported to be rich in minerals, but he met 

 with few traces except of copper, iron, and coal, with 

 occasional indications of gold and silver. He found the 

 people ready to furnish information, which, however, 



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