ARROYO DE BARRANQUITA. 



57 



and arrrived at the post of El Tambo, situated 

 on its banks in rather a pleasant situation, having 

 a fine view of the hills of the Sierra^ rising be- 

 yond a vast plain of sand, formed by the river's 

 overflow. Although this post is bad for accom- 

 modation, we got most excellent horses, which 

 took us well through a bad road to La Aguadita, 

 four leagues, from which place it became so very 

 bad, that we were obliged to have five horses, 

 walking very slowly the whole post, and, in 

 many places, stopping to cut our road. Crossed 

 the Arroyo de Barranquita, the opposite banks 

 of which were so steep, that we were obliged 

 to get out, and unload part of the carriage. 

 It was truly beautiful to see the full gallop 

 the peons made at the bank, and dragged 

 the carriage up its steep sides. We now 

 arrived at the post of the same name ; the 

 torrents from the Sierra had worn such deep ruts 

 in the road, that we only made twelve leagues 

 this day. Finding our progress so slow, and 

 every prospect, if we travelled faster, of the car- 

 riage breaking down, (for one of the springs was 



