CHAP. XX. A FRUITFUL LETTER. 389 



on the morning of the 12th, passed through forest-trees rising 

 150 feet high, mast-like, without a branch, laden with a parasitic 

 growth. Then the sky began to be seen, a vista opened out — we 

 had arrived at the Valley of the Chimbo. 



The Bridge was a wooden structure, spanning the River just 

 before it turned abruptly to the west. The Railway was hidden 

 away in jungle, and had to be discovered. There was no station or 

 train ; nor house or hut ; nor person or means of procuring infor- 

 mation. The right bank of the river formed the Terminus. The 

 line ran up to the edge of the stream, without stops to prevent the 

 train running into the water, and looked as if it had been cut in 

 half by the torrent. The only indication of civilization w^as a 

 contractor's shed, mounted on wheels.^ Campana went down the 

 rails in search of life, and learnt that a train 7niglit arrive to-day, 

 ov perliajis it would come manana. We waited in hungry expecta- 

 tion (paying off the arrieros in the meanwhile), and about twelve 

 o'clock tlie train hove in sight, bringing three persons and nothing 

 more. 



Shortly before leaving Quito, General Veintemilla spontane- 

 ously favoured me with a letter to the Railway authorities, direct- 

 ing them to afford every attention, assistance, etcetera. This letter 

 was . shewn to the persons in charge of the train, and they were 

 informed that we were famished, and ready to 23urchase any food 

 that could be spared. The President's letter bore fruit. The 

 Conductor brought out two small pine-apples,^ and presented them 

 with many polite phrases, — the pine-apples were mine ; he himself 

 and all that he had was mine, and so forth. I tried to huy, but he 

 would not hear of it ; and, as there was no time to waste, the 



1 On this journey we were victims of the pleasantry of a person at Riobamba, 

 who informed us that it would take two days to get to the Bridge of Chimbo, where 

 there was a capital hotel; and that we should find plenty of food on the way. Seeing 

 no reason to doubt the information, surplus provisions were cleared out at Riobamba, 

 and we started with only a day's supply. Potatoes were obtained at Nanti, Guamote 

 and Galti, but after the latter place nothing whatever could be procured. 



a Local products, worth perhaps ten cents apiece. 



