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NARRATIVE OF A 



pines. After proceeding a little further, an opening in 

 the trees afforded a distinct view of the plains of Esquipu- 

 las, and of the shrine or temple of that name, so celebrated 

 in all the country. The guide, who was riding at the 

 head of our party, on descrying the temple, made a sudden 

 stop, and pointing towards it, cried, " el JSenor de Esqui- 

 pulas /" He then took off his hat, crossed himself devout- 

 ly, and muttered a short prayer, after which he spurred 

 his mule, and was again in motion. 



In the course of our descent I was struck with the 

 beauty and grandeur of the scenery which presented itself 

 to the view. Passing along the summit of an elevated 

 ridge, we sometimes looked down upon a vast hollow on 

 either side, many hundred feet deep, where the density of 

 the trees and bushes had the appearance of a sea of ver- 

 dure. As 5 we approached the base of the mountain, the 

 country became more clear, and the ground was clothed 

 with a shorter and finer grass, and decked with a variety 

 of beautiful wild flowers. At length we reached the plain, 

 and proceeded along a tolerably level road towards the 

 town of Esquipulas, where we arrived about the hour 

 of noon. 



