302 



JOURNEY. 



and regale myself with some of the chieha of 

 the country. I enquired the nature of the 

 road to the town of La Mesa, and was in- 

 formed that it was level, and good travel- 

 ling ; but, to my sorrow, found it quite the 

 reverse — hilly, and bad ; so that I did not 

 reach the place until half-past six, although 

 the distance was less than three leagues. 

 On ray arrival I went to the house of Sefior 

 Arenas, the administrddor of tobacco and 

 the post-office, and delivered to him my 

 letter of introduction, in consequence of 

 which I was most kindly received. No 

 sooner, however, had I supped, than, being 

 much fatigued with my day's journey, I fell 

 asleep on the sofa, and did not awake until 

 midnight, when I was conducted to a com- 

 fortable bed. 



Dec. 13th. Hose at seven, and learnt that 

 fresh mules and a guide would be in readi- 

 ness about noon. I now quite casually, 



