CHILI. 183 
although at a distance of twenty leagues. On either side rise the 
high ridges of the Cuesta. Beneath lie grazing grounds, extending 
over the plain, and covered with flocks and herds. Life and anima- 
tion is given to the whole by the view of the national road, on which 
are seen numbers of vehicles, mules, &c, threading their way up and 
down the mountain-side, charged with foreign and domestic pro- 
ducts. This is the only road of any extent for wheel-carriages in the 
country. It is kept in good repair by convicts, who are seen working 
in chains. A moveable prison or lock-up house, somewhat resembling 
the cages used in caravans of wild beasts, is used for their accommo- 
dation and security at night. 
The heavy merchandise is for the most part transported in ox carts 
of enormous dimensions. Their wheels are clumsy and without 
tires, and the whole frame is made strongly with timber pinned 
together. Their perpendicular sides and rounded tops are wattled 
with cane and covered with bull's-hide. No iron is used in their 
structure ; wooden pins and raw-hide lashings seem to answer the 
purpose better. The yoke is set on the heads of the oxen, behind the 
horns, and fastened, to them. The creaking of these carts may be 
heard for miles, as they never think of greasing the axles to lessen 
the friction. They are generally drawn by four or eight oxen. The 
wood-cut, at the end of this chapter, from a sketch taken by Mr. 
Drayton, will complete the description. 
