216 



ARRIVE AT SANTA ROSA. 



road from Valparaiso to Santiago. I proceeded 

 on again at one^ with the thermometer standing at 

 90°, and soon came to the cuesta of Chacabuca, 

 which took us an hour to ascend. On arriving at 

 the top, the plain of Santa Rosa opens with a 

 very fine view, descending into which, and tra- 

 velling on a tolerable good road, I arrived at the 

 village of Santa Rosa at half past seven, thus 

 riding twenty-five leagues ^ on the same horse 

 without drawing the bit. What would people in 

 England say to this ? 



Santa Rosa is a small village situated at the 

 foot of the Andes, where it is customary to 

 stop, in order to prepare and lay in every thing 

 that is requisite previous to entering the Cordil- 

 lera. There is no fonda or inn at the place, so 

 that I was from necessity compelled to put up at 

 the house of the courier, who proved to be a very 

 worthless fellow ; however, having a very good 

 peon and understanding myself pretty well what 

 was required for such a journey, I did not 



* These leagues were very short. 



