12 VISIT TO CURRAL. 



and sledg-es drawn by small bullocks supply their 

 place, while the wine, the chief article of export, is 

 conveyed into the town in goat-skins carried on 

 the shoulder. 



I)ec.2Srd.—Few strangers remain long in Madeira 

 without paying a visit to the Curral, and a large 

 party of us left the ship for that purpose this 

 morning. At first the road led through a series of 

 narrow lanes frequently separated fi'om the fields 

 and vineyards on either side by hedges of roses, 

 honeysuckle, jasmine and fuchsias ; now and then 

 passing under successions of trellis work covered by 

 the vines when in full vigour, and then forming long- 

 shady vistas. For several miles we wound our way 

 along the hill sides, down deep ravines, and up 

 steep rocky slopes. In spite of the ruggedness of 

 the path, our horses progressed with wonderful 

 alacrity, although occasionally impeded by the 

 additional weight of the attendant burroqueros 

 holding on by the tail, and laughing at our eiForts 

 to dislodge them. On reaching the shoulder of one 

 of the hills, we found the ravines and valleys below 

 us filled with dense mist. Here, at an elevation of 

 2500 feet, a species of spruce-like pine appeared to 

 thrive well. The path, which at times is not more 

 than three feet wide, now winds along the sides of 

 the mountain with many sharp turnings ; heading 

 numerous ravines, the frightful nature of which 

 was partially concealed by the obscurity of the 

 mist. 



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