40 



SIX MONTHS IN MEXICO, 



and the road good, being cut through a rock, 

 and having a regular and substantial found- 

 ation of masonry. The magnificent bridge 

 called Puente del Rey (the King^s Bridge) 

 now presented itself. It crosses a rapid river 

 of considerable size rushing through a deep 

 ravine, bordered on each side by high pre- 

 cipitous rocks, which being crowned and 

 flanked with cannon, make it one of the 

 strongest military posts between the Atlantic 

 and the Capital of New Spain. It was at this 

 time occupied by the republican army of 

 Generals St. Anna and Vittoria. The troops 

 crowded the village at which we were to stop ; 

 but after some difficulty we found a place 

 to deposit our baggage, and pass the night. 

 From the unsettled state of the country, and 

 the little intercourse the Mexicans have had 

 with foreigners, we were under some appre- 

 hension, as in the cage-like apartment in 

 which we were to remain we were exposed to 



