PLANS DERANGED. 



337 



gle Indian, but, worn down by the fatigues of the 

 journey, while yet eight leagues from the rancho he 

 died upon the road. 



These accounts came upon us most unexpected- 

 ly, and deranged all our plans. And there was no- 

 thing that more strikingly exhibited the ignorance 

 prevailing in that country in regard to the roads, 

 than the fact that, after diligent and careful inquiries 

 at Valladolid, we had set out upon positive informa- 

 tion that we could ride directly through to Tan cab, 

 and had made all our arrangements for doing so, 

 whereas at six leagues' distance we found ourselves 

 brought to a dead stand. 



But turning back formed no part of our delibera- 

 tions. The only question was whether we should 

 undertake the journey on foot. The mere walking 

 none of us regarded ; in fact, it would have been a 

 pleasant change, for there was no satisfaction in 

 stumbling on horseback along those stony roads; 

 but our servants foresaw a great accumulation of 

 their labours, and the risk of exposure to rain was 

 a serious consideration ; moreover, I had one little 

 difficulty, which, however, was really a serious one, 

 and could not be remedied except by a delay of sev- 

 eral days, in the want of shoes, those on my feet be* 

 ing quite incapable of holding out for such a walk. 

 Our alternative was to go to the port of Yalahao, 

 which, the reader will see by the map, is almost at 

 right angles from Tancah, and thence take a canoa. 

 This would subject us to the necessity of two voy- 



VoL. II.— Uu 29 



