158 ARR[VE AT DESERTED GUARD HOUSE. 



me through all. On unpacking our beds, we 

 found they were completely soaked through ; it 

 was rather a hardship, to have to lay upon the 

 bare ground after such a hard day's journey of 

 seven leagues over deep and heavy snow. 



Friday, 2^th, Fine morning; arose with 

 sore bones and stift' limbs, occasioned by yester- 

 day's exertion, and sleeping on the ground. Our 

 peons started at daylight for the luggage that 

 was left at the foot of the snow. I could scarcely 

 credit the mild temperature of the morning, 

 the thermometer stood at 45°. Having now 

 mules and horses, we started at ten, very much 

 to the delight of the poor peons, who were re- 

 lieved of their loads. Our descent was still 

 rapid, between a ridge of mountains, with the 

 river on our left. The country on this side very 

 soon assumed a cheerful appearance ; evergreen 

 bushes, much resembling myrtles, and some very 

 fine trees peculiar to this country, with many wild 

 peach-trees in blossom, showed that the genial 

 warmth of a Chili spring was fast advancing. As 



