176 



PASSAGE ACROSS 



be carried away, one would like to see where one is 

 going.^' As soon as the sun was up, we found it 

 oppressively hot ; and as our mules were getting 

 lame, we could only trot very gently. The coun- 

 try down which we descended was similar to that 

 which has already been described, and we continued 

 our course till we came in sight of the town of 

 La Villa Nueva de los Andes, whose name explains 

 that it is a new town built in the Andes. 



It is situated on ground comparatively flat, but 

 is surrounded by mountains, or rather, hills ; for the 

 features of the country are here on a smaller scale. 



The town, like all towns in Chili, is built on the 

 usual plan. The streets are broad, and at right 

 angles, and they are consequently parallel or per- 

 pendicular to each other. In the centre of the 

 town there is a Plaza or great square, on one side 

 of which is a rude sort of abode called the Go- 

 vernor's house, where a number of dirty-looking 

 soldiers without shoes, and with little on them but 

 a poncho, are seen sitting under a corredor, or 

 lying about asleep. 



I rode up to the guard, and asked a man who 

 had an old sword in his hand, where La Fonda 



