EMERALD MINES. 243 



US to endeavour to procure from the govern- 

 ment a grant of the whole of the mines, 

 and to have them immediately put in v^ork. 

 Senor Rivero and myself elected our friend 

 P^pe Paris, from his influence with the 

 government, to carry the same into effect.* 



At ten A. M. we mounted our horses, 

 and left Chiquinquira ; on getting into the 

 plain we found the wind particularly dis- 

 agreeable, blowing a strong and keen gale 

 in our face, with, at the same time, a scorch- 

 ing sun, and scarcely a cloud to be seen. 

 When we had proceeded about a league, we 

 met several persons dismounted from their 

 horses, and on their knees beside them, 

 praying most devoutly, with their hands 

 closed, in form of petitioning. At the first 

 moment I was surprised at what should 

 cause it ; but on turning round, I observed 



* These mines have since been secured by my friend. 

 R 2 



