190 THE PLAINS. 



with indignation a number of the sculptured blocks, 

 from the Teocalli of Xochicalco, lying half buried in the 

 soil. 



The haze which I had remarked in the earlier hours 

 of the day continued to clothe all objects, without abso- 

 lutely hiding them ; but the outlines of the more distant 

 ranges were so indistinct, that we could scarcely trace 

 them. Such was the difficult character of the surface, 

 and the continual checks we met with from barrancas, 

 that the day was far spent before we arrived at the brink 

 of the magnificent gorge which forms the intrenchment 

 of Cuernavaca on the west. In the morning we had 

 crossed it many miles farther down. It is splendidly 

 varied in its character, and in the light of the sun, setting 

 in gold and purple over the plain behind us, formed a 

 magnificent picture. 



The twilight fell upon us before we had extricated 

 ourselves from the depth of the abyss, and when we did 

 so by gaining the farther edge, the moon was shining 

 without rival in the heaven. 



I cannot describe to you the delicious feelings which 

 came over us, as we felt the cooling night air fanning our 

 temples, while riding through the rich and luxuriant 

 groves and gardens in the outskirts of Cuernavaca, 

 which we reached a quarter of an hour after. 



What a strange machine the human body is. All this 

 positive suffering seemed to be forgotten as soon as it 

 was past ! We supped as usual, drank inordinate quan- 

 tifies of ice — a luxury rendered a common one to the 

 inhabitants of this torrid clime, by the vicinity of the 

 volcanoes — threw ourselves upon our serapis on the floor, 

 and the next morning rose, with both bodies and minds 

 refreshed and invigorated, to enter upon another day's 

 adventure. 



The plains of Cuernavaca lie at an elevation of nearly 

 five thousand five hundred feet above the Pacific, and 

 four thousand four hundred below the Cruz del Marques ; 

 those of Yautepec and Cuautla Amilpas, to which we 

 were now about to repair, at a general level of eight 



